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If I have the choice between air fryer hash browns and pan-fried, I go with air fried every time. I love how crispy they are. While traditional hash brown are great, it took me a long time to realize the secret to the best-ever crispy hash brown potatoes: the air fryer.
Table of Contents
- Recipe At a Glance
- Ingredients to Make Air Fryer Hash Browns
- Popular Substitutions & Additions
- How to Make Air Fryer Hash Browns
- Tips for Making the Best Easy Air Fryer Hash Browns
- What to Serve With Air Fryer Hash Browns Shredded Frozen
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Breakfast Recipes:
- Air Fryer Hash Browns Recipe
One of the best things about this recipe is that it works with frozen or fresh potatoes. After tossing the potato shreds with oil and seasonings (I keep it simple with salt, pepper, and onion powder), they go into the air fryer and cook until they’re crisp and golden. My family’s been loving these air fryer hash browns with fried eggs or omelettes for breakfast, brunch, or even brinner (breakfast-dinner, of course). Basically, you can’t lose with this recipe.
Recipe At a Glance
Cuisine Inspiration: American
Primary Cooking Method: Air fryer
Dietary Info: Gluten-free and vegan
Key Flavor: Potatoes
Skill Level: Easy
Why This Is So Good
- Fast: These crispy air fryer hash browns are ready in just 20 minutes. That’s because air fryers get hot super fast thanks to how small they are!
- No mess: I love cooking in an air fryer because all of the mess is contained inside of the appliance. There’s no cleaning up splatters and grease off of the stovetop!
- Minimal ingredients and pantry-friendly: These air-fried hash browns have just three ingredients (not including the salt and pepper!).. You can make this recipe as long as you have a bag of frozen hash browns or a few potatoes. I always have everything I need on hand.
Ingredients to Make Air Fryer Hash Browns
You can use frozen or fresh potatoes. I love that flexibility, especially on busy weekdays when I only have one or the other.
Using Frozen Potatoes
- Olive oil: You can use regular olive oil or spray. Either will help get the potatoes crispy!
- Frozen hash browns: These are frozen, pre-shredded potatoes.
- Salt, pepper, and onion powder: These few spices are all you need to add flavor.
Using Fresh Potatoes
- Olive oil: Same as above, you can use either type of oil.
- Russet potatoes: These large potatoes are easy to shred and have an almost buttery flavor.
- Salt, pepper, and onion powder: The same trio as with the frozen shreds!
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- Add more spices. Try garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, Old Bay, cumin, or coriander.
- Sprinkle on shredded cheese. In the last couple of minutes of cooking, add shredded cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella over top of the frozen hash browns in air fryer and continue cooking until melted.
- Top with fresh herbs. Finely chopped chives or parsley would add a pop of flavor.
- Use a different oil. Any type of oil or cooking spray will work in this recipe.
How to Make Air Fryer Hash Browns
I’ll go over how to make these hash browns using frozen and fresh potatoes. The actual cooking is the same, but the prep is different.
Hash Browns with Frozen Shredded Potatoes
Hash Browns with Fresh Potatoes
Tips for Making the Best Easy Air Fryer Hash Browns
- Don’t skip soaking if using fresh potatoes. Soaking the fresh potato shreds in water helps remove the excess starch, which allows the potatoes to get crispy all over. Just make sure to dry them thoroughly. Excess water will make the hash browns soggy!
- Don’t crowd the basket. Make sure your air fryer basket is large enough so that you can spread the shredded potatoes into a thin, even layer. If they’re too crowded, the hash browns will steam not crisp.
- Coarsely shred the potatoes. If you’re using a box grater, make sure to use its coarse side to grate the potatoes! Finely shredding them will create a bit of a mess and you won’t wind up with the right hash brown texture.
- Don’t skip the pre-heating. While it’s not totally necessary to preheat an air fryer, a lot do recommend it. I always make sure to preheat it so it’s at the right temperature before adding food.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Hash Browns Shredded Frozen
Frequently Asked Questions
These hash browns can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for a few days. To reheat them, I like to crisp them up again in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.
If the hash browns are looking too pale, try cooking them for a few more minutes, then re-check. To avoid soggy hash browns, drain them well after soaking (if using fresh potatoes) and spread them out in the air fryer’s basket.
Yes, you can cook these hash browns in the oven, but they’ll probably take longer than in an air fryer. In this case, I’d recommend baking them in a cast iron skillet or quarter sheet pan.
There you have it: The easiest way to make the crispiest hash browns you’ve ever had. I loved my air fryer before this recipe, but these air fryer hash browns mean the appliance rarely leaves my kitchen’s countertop.
More Breakfast Recipes:
- Sweet Potato Kale Breakfast Bowl
- Grilled Baby Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs
- Avocado Toast With Eggs – 4 Ways
- Loaded Sweet Potato
- Homemade Bagels
- Fried Eggs and Sweet Potato Toast
- Stovetop Hash Browns
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Air Fryer Hash Browns
Ingredients
- Olive oil spray
- 4 cups frozen hash browns or 3 medium russet potatoes
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
Frozen hash browns
- Generously spray or brush the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil. Then, spread the frozen hash browns evenly and use a spatula to divide the potatoes into 4 sections. This will help to evenly brown your hash browns.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and onion powder, and then drizzle the top with more oil or spray.
- Cook at 400°F for 15 minutes, or until the edges are crisp and golden, and then carefully flip each section. Continue air frying for another 4-5 minutes until crispy.
Fresh hash browns
- Cut potatoes into quarters if using a food processor. If you prefer the skin off, do this first.
- Use a food processor with the shredding disc attachment or a box grater to shred the potatoes. Place the shredded potatoes in cold water and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes to remove excess starch. This will help them crisp up while cooking.
- Transfer to a colander to drain the water. Rinse them very well before transferring the shredded potatoes to paper towels or a clean dish towel to dry them completely. Transfer back to the bowl and season with salt, pepper and onion powder, and toss lightly to combine.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Generously spray or brush the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil and spread the shredded potatoes evenly. Use a spatula to divide the potatoes into 4 sections, and then drizzle the top with more oil or spray.
- Cook for 10 minutes and then carefully flip each section. Continue air frying for another 4-5 minutes until crispy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
