Crispy Air Fryer Hash Browns Recipe Frozen or Homemade
Unlock the secret to effortlessly crispy, golden brown hash browns with these homemade Air Fryer Hash Browns! This quick and easy method transforms simple ingredients like russet potatoes and olive oil into a deliciously healthy quick breakfast side that’s perfect for lazy weekends or bustling holiday brunches.
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Why You Will Love Making Air Fryer Hash Browns
- Making hash browns in the air fryer significantly cuts down on the amount of oil used, making your Southern-style hash browns healthy and still achieving that desired crispy texture. Say goodbye to soggy potatoes and hello to a lighter, yet still indulgent, breakfast treat. With air frying, you get to enjoy all the deliciousness of your favorite breakfast side dish without the extra calories from deep frying.
- Time is of the essence, especially during busy mornings or when you’re hosting a brunch. Using frozen hash browns or even freshly shredded potatoes, the air fryer cooks them to perfection in under 20 minutes! No need to stand over a hot stove, flipping hash browns in a frying pan.
- Are you a fan of changing things up? This cooking method is incredibly versatile, allowing you to experiment with different types of potatoes and seasonings. Add some onion powder, garlic powder, or even a dash of smoked paprika to elevate the flavors and make these extra-crispy hash browns your own.
- Achieving perfectly crispy and golden brown hash browns can be a bit of a challenge on the stove, where they can go from undercooked to burnt in a flash. The air fryer provides a more consistent heat and cooking time, ensuring that your homemade hash browns are cooked evenly every time.
- Forget about splattering oil and multiple dishes to wash. Making hash browns in the air fryer means only a little oil and less mess to clean up afterward. The air fryer basket contains all the bits and pieces, and there’s no greasy stovetop to scrub down. Especially when using frozen shredded hash browns, your prep area stays neat and tidy, making the cleanup a breeze!
- If you’re into meal prepping, air fryer hash browns are a game-changer and such an easy breakfast recipe. Cook a larger batch and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They reheat wonderfully, ensuring you have a quick and tasty side ready to go throughout the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below to make this air fryer hash browns recipe.
How to Cook Shredded Hash Browns In The Air Fryer With Step-by-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Get the best results by following these simple steps.
Step 1: Selecting and Preparing Your Potatoes
Your first step involves a crucial decision: fresh russet potatoes or convenient frozen hash browns?
If you opt for fresh, you’ll peel and grate them and also remove as much moisture as possible. Use a potato ricer or a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out that excess water, ensuring your hash browns will achieve that sought-after crunch.
Step 2: Seasoning for Success
Gently toss your potato hash browns, whether freshly grated or grated frozen potatoes, with a bit of olive oil and your chosen seasonings.
Classic salt and black pepper are timeless choices, but consider exploring with garlic powder, onion powder, or any spice that tickles your palate.
Step 3: Single Layer in the Air Fryer
As you place your hash browns into the air fryer, make sure they are arranged in a single, even layer.
This might mean exercising a bit of patience and cooking in batches, but it’s a small step to guarantee every morsel of potato becomes perfectly crispy and golden brown.
Step 4: Cooking to Crispy Perfection
For fresh hash browns, set your air fryer to a cozy 350°F/175°C.
Allow them to air fry for 8 minutes, then give them a gentle stir and let them continue their crispy transformation for another 5-8 minutes.
If you’re working with frozen hash browns, they prefer a slightly hotter 400°F/205°C and will be ready to dazzle in about 17 minutes, flipping halfway.
From oil sprays to muffin cups and from pizza pans to racks, we've got them all, and they make fantastic Christmas presents, too!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
- Crispiness: The secret to those extra crispy hash browns lies in the removal of as much moisture as possible, especially when using fresh potatoes. After grating your potatoes, take an extra moment to thoroughly squeeze out the water. This step ensures that your hash browns will crisp up beautifully in the air fryer instead of steaming. If you’re using frozen hash browns, a quick pat with a paper towel to remove any ice crystals will help ensure crispiness.
- Seasoning: While salt and pepper are the classic go-to seasonings, don’t be afraid to experiment a bit! A dash of garlic powder, a sprinkle of onion powder, or even a smidge of smoked paprika can elevate your hash browns to new flavorful heights. Feel free to explore and find your perfect seasoning blend (we love adding a little chili powder).
- Can I use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes for my hash browns? Absolutely! Sweet potatoes can be a delicious alternative for a slightly different flavor profile and a boost of extra nutrients. Just be sure to follow the same steps of grating and removing as much moisture as possible before cooking.
- Other additions: You can mix in grated onion, bell peppers, or zucchini to add extra flavor and nutrition to your hash browns. Just remember to also remove excess moisture from these veggies to maintain crispiness.
- The Importance of a Single Layer: Resist the temptation to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Placing the hash browns in a single, even layer with a bit of space between each piece ensures that the hot air circulates freely, cooking them evenly and making them wonderfully crispy. It might mean that you need to cook in batches, but the result is worth the wait!
- Cooking Times: Every air fryer can be a bit different, so while we provide suggested cooking times, it’s always a good idea to start checking a bit earlier. Peek in on your hash browns as they cook, ensuring they don’t move past golden brown to burnt.
- Can I make hash browns without peeling the potatoes? Yes, you can! Keeping the skin on your potatoes will add a bit of extra texture and nutrients to your hash browns. Just be sure to wash them thoroughly and check for any bad spots to remove before grating.
- How do I prevent my hash browns from sticking to the air fryer basket? To prevent sticking, make sure to lightly spray your air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray before adding your hash browns. If you’re cooking in batches, give it a quick re-spray between each one to ensure easy removal every time.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Hash Browns
Got some leftover hash browns? No problem!
Storing in the Refrigerator
These crispy delights can be stored in the refrigerator with ease. Simply allow your hash browns to cool completely to room temperature and transfer them to an airtight container.
Separate layers with parchment paper to retain their crispiness, and pop them in the fridge. They’ll stay tasty for up to 3-4 days, ready to be reheated when you need a quick and delicious side dish.
Freezing for Longer Shelf Life
If you’re looking to keep your hash browns delicious for even longer, the freezer is your friend! Again, let the hash browns cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually.
Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, squeezing out as much air as possible. Your hash browns can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Hash Browns
When it comes to enjoying your stored hash browns, reheating them properly is key to reviving that delightful crispiness.
From the fridge, you can simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until they’re hot and crispy again.
If reheating from frozen, no need to thaw! Just increase the time in the air fryer to about 5-7 minutes, checking to ensure they get back to that perfect golden brown.
What to Serve with Crispy Air Fryer Hash Browns
Need some great suggestions on what to serve with hash browns? We’ve got you covered!
Classic Breakfast Pairings
Air fryer hash browns naturally lend themselves to be the star of a classic breakfast or brunch spread.
Think of pairing them with fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy mushrooms, or savory veggie sausage links. Add a side of fresh fruit salad to bring a refreshing and sweet contrast to the plate.
Elevating Your Lunch or Dinner
Delicious hash browns aren’t just for breakfast! They can also act as a base for a hearty hash for lunch or dinner.
Mix them with cooked vegetables, diced vegan ham, or shredded cheese, and top with a fried egg for a comforting and filling dish.
Transforming into Appetizers
Turn your air fryer hash browns into a crowd-pleasing appetizer with a few creative toppings.
Make them into hash brown patties, and try adding a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of chives, and a dash of hot sauce to each hash brown patty.
Or, go for a mini “loaded” version with melted cheese, crispy bacon bits, and a little green onion. Serve with a side of cool, creamy ranch dressing or a zesty salsa roja for dipping, and watch them disappear from the plate!
More Breakfast Air Fryer Recipes For You To Try
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
- Air Fryer Egg Bites
- Air Fryer Toast
- Air Fryer Tomatoes
Crispy Air Fryer Hash Browns Recipe Frozen or Homemade
Ingredients
- 1¼ pound russet potatoes large
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- Salt and black pepper to season
Instructions
Fresh hash browns:
- Peel and grate the potatoes using the large holes of a box grater.1¼ pound russet potatoes
- Next, remove as much moisture as possible from the grated potatoes. An efficient method is using a potato ricer or an orange/lemon press, gently pressing out the excess moisture without forcing the potatoes through the ricer. To manage the process, fill the ricer only halfway with the raw grated potatoes at a time. If you don't have a ricer, tightly wrap the raw grated potatoes in a clean kitchen tea-towel and squeeze as hard as you can to extract as much moisture as possible. Again, work in batches for easier handling. The potatoes may stain a cloth towel, so use one that you care about.3 tablespoons olive oil
- Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray and place the hash browns in the basket in an even layer, spray with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Air fry at 350°F for approximately 8 minutes, then stir gently to ensure even cooking. Cook until they have turned golden brown and crispy, approximately 5 -8 minutes.Salt and black pepper
- Remove from the air fryer, serve and enjoy!
Frozen hash browns:
- Place the frozen hash browns in the air fryer basket in an even single layer and spray with olive oil.
- Cook for 17 minutes, then, use a spatula to flip them and air fry until golden brown and crispy, approximately 4 – 6 minutes.
Notes
- Crispiness: After grating your potatoes, make sure you thoroughly squeeze out the water. This step ensures that your hash browns will crisp up beautifully in the air fryer instead of steaming. If you’re using frozen hash browns, a quick pat with a paper towel to remove any ice crystals will set them on the path to crispiness.
- Seasoning: Don’t be afraid to experiment a bit! A dash of garlic powder, a sprinkle of onion powder, or even a smidge of smoked paprika can elevate your hash browns to new flavorful heights.
- Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes can be a delicious alternative for a slightly different flavor profile and a boost of extra nutrients. Just be sure to follow the same steps of grating and removing as much moisture as possible before cooking.
- Other additions: You can mix in grated onion, bell peppers, or zucchini to add extra flavor and nutrition to your hash browns. Just remember to also remove excess moisture from these veggies to maintain crispiness.
- Cooking Times: Every air fryer can be a bit different, so while we provide suggested cooking times, it’s always a good idea to start checking a bit earlier. Peek in on your hash browns as they cook, ensuring they don’t move past golden brown to burnt.
- Can I make hash browns without peeling the potatoes? Yes, you can! Just be sure to wash them thoroughly and check for any bad spots to remove before grating.
- How do I prevent my hash browns from sticking to the air fryer basket? To prevent sticking, make sure to lightly spray your air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray before adding your hash browns. If you’re cooking in batches, give it a quick re-spray between each one to ensure easy removal every time.
- Storage: Allow your hash browns to cool completely to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to retain their crispiness, and pop them in the fridge. They’ll stay tasty for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Let the hash browns cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, squeezing out as much air as possible. Your hash browns can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: From the fridge, you can simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until they’re hot and crispy again. If reheating from frozen, no need to thaw – just increase the time in the air fryer to about 5-7 minutes, checking to ensure they get back to that perfect golden brown.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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This is a quick, healthy breakfast side for lazy weekends or busy holiday brunches. Adding this to my meal plan and favorites.
I’m so glad you liked the crispy shallots. They are a great breakfast side for any occasion. Thank you for adding them to your meal plan and favorites. I hope you enjoy them again and again.
This was such a great way to use my air fryer! The hash browns came out perfectly crispy. Love!
I’ve always loved hash browns but for some reason it only recently occurred to me to try cooking them in the air fryer. There’s no going back now! They came out so perfectly browned and crisp without the typical babysitting they require in the skillet.
That’s awesome! I’m so happy that you discovered the air fryer method for hash browns. They are much easier and crispier than the skillet version.
I love this hasbrown air fryer recipe — it tastes so goood (the seasoning tips are the game changer that is why!). And more importantly, I really like the fact that it does contain much less oil since it’s air-fried. Thanks for your tips 😀
I’m so glad you love the hash brown air fryer recipe. They are very tasty and healthy with the right seasoning. You’re very welcome, I’m happy to share my tips with you.
These were the perfect complement to breakfast and the air fryer really works incredibly well at those coveted crispy edges for the hashbrowns.
Thank you for your lovely feedback! They are perfect for breakfast and the air fryer makes them extra crispy.
I love the way the Air Fryer makes these hash browns perfectly tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Such a fast, easy, and delicious addition to just about any breakfast!
Yes, they are a great addition to any breakfast! Glad you liked them, Sage!