Air Fryer Hash Browns

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Make the best crispy air fryer hash browns with fresh or frozen potatoes! They take less than 20 minutes for a quick and easy breakfast side!

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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.

Air fryer hash browns in an air fryer.
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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

Frozen, shredded potatoes, oil, and spices.
  • 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

Whole potatoes, oil, and spices.
  • 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!
  • 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

Frozen, shredded potatoes in an air fryer basket.
Step 1: Spray or brush the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil. Spread the frozen hash browns evenly over the basket and use a spatula to divide the potatoes into sections. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and onion powder, and drizzle oil over the top.
Crispy, shredded potatoes in an air fryer basket.
Step 2: Cook until the potatoes are crispy, flipping each section once.

Hash Browns with Fresh Potatoes

Russet potatoes cut into quarters.
Step 1: Cut potatoes into quarters, then shred.
Shredded potatoes soaking in a bowl of water.
Step 2: Place the shredded potatoes into a bowl of cold water and soak to remove excess starch.
Shredded potatoes drying on a dish towel.
Step 3: Drain the potatoes, rinse them well, then transfer to a paper towel or a clean dish towel to dry completely.
Shredded potatoes and spices in a mixing bowl.
Step 4: Transfer the potato shreds to a mixing bowl and season with salt, pepper, and onion powder. Toss to combine.
Shredded potatoes in an air fryer basket.
Step 5: Spray or brush the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil and spread the shredded potatoes evenly in the basket. Use a spatula to divide the potatoes into sections, and drizzle the top with more oil or spray.
Cooked, crispy hash browns in an air fryer basket.
Step 6: Cook until crispy, flipping the air fryer hash browns once.

Tips for Making the Best Easy Air Fryer Hash Browns

  1. 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!
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
A platter with air fryer hash browns on it. A plate with fried eggs sits beside the platter.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Hash Browns Shredded Frozen

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you store air fryer hash browns?

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.

What do I do if my hash browns are soggy?

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.

Can I cook these hash browns in the oven?

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.

A plate with air fryer hash browns, sliced tomatoes, and a fried egg.

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.

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Air Fryer Hash Browns

Make the best crispy air fryer hash browns with fresh or frozen potatoes! They take less than 20 minutes for a quick and easy breakfast side!
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Servings 3 servings
Calories 293
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
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Ingredients
  

  • Oil Spray or 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
  • 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

Storage: 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 643mg, Potassium: 806mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 0.03g, Vitamin A: 2IU, Vitamin C: 23mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Cuisine American

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