Start your day right with these crispy, crunchy, salty, and savory Air Fryer hash browns!
Pair them with eggs and bacon, or serve as a side with lunch or dinner. You really can’t go wrong!
Whether they’re French fries, mashed, or oven-roasted, I adore potatoes. There’s no wrong way to eat them, after all.
But when it comes to breakfast, one potato dish reigns supreme: hash browns.
I have zero self-control when it comes to these spud-tastic delights. If you’re the same, I have good news for you!
With the Air Fryer, you can enjoy a much healthier version that’s equally as tasty and addictive!
That’s because this kitchen gadget allows you to “fry” food without a single ounce of oil.
So, don’t feel guilty about wanting that 2nd patty! With this recipe, it’s all good.
Air Fryer Frozen Hash Browns
Whether you wake up late or forget to take that bag of hash browns from the freezer, it’s no problem.
In fact, go ahead, press that snooze button.
Thanks to the Air Fryer, you can quickly whip up frozen foods and have them be crispy and golden to boot!
You also don’t have to preheat tons of oil and stand in front of a hot stove to fry your favorite morning dish.
Just plop those frozen patties in the Air Fryer basket, and in just a few minutes, you’ll have crispy hash browns waiting to be devoured.
How to Cook Frozen Hash Browns in the Air Fryer
This two-step process couldn’t be more straightforward:
1. Place the frozen hash browns in the basket.
2. Air Fry them.
I know, kind of ridiculous!
That said, be sure the patties are arranged in a single layer in the basket. You don’t want them to overlap, so you may need to cook in batches.
Just remember that there has to be enough space in the basket for the hot air to circulate properly.
My air fryer takes 10 to 12 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to cook frozen hash browns. But depending on the type of Air Fryer you own, you may need more or less time.
I suggest doing a test run with 1-2 patties first to determine the appropriate cooking time.
Flip the patties halfway through to ensure both sides are cooked evenly.
And if you want extra crispy hash browns, cook them further for another 2-4 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for the Best Air Fryer Hash Browns
I know this is kind of a crazy-easy recipe, but as always, I’ve got some tips and tricks to make sure these come out perfect every time:
- Check the Air Fryer manual to see if preheating is required. This will vary with the different models.
- The cooking time is also dependent on the size of the patties. The thicker and bigger they are, the longer they’ll need to cook. Shredded hash browns will take a much shorter time.
- There’s no need to thaw the hash browns beforehand. The Air Fryer will cook them evenly, even when frozen.
- For extra-crispy hash browns, spray them with a little bit of olive oil. It doesn’t need to be a lot but it will make a difference.
- Don’t over-crowd the basket. The air needs to circulate throughout the basket to cook food evenly. So, be sure the patties are arranged in a single layer and that they’re not stacked or overlapping each other. Cook in batches if there’s not enough space.
- Flip the patties halfway through so they cook perfectly on both sides. If you don’t, they’ll still be cooked. You’ll just see that one side is more crispy than the other.
- Store leftover hash browns in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 7 days. Reheat in the Air Fryer for 5-7 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to crisp them back up.
- For a complete, satisfying breakfast, serve hash browns with bacon, eggs, breakfast sausage, and/or toast. Don’t forget your favorite morning beverage, too!
Know Your Air Fryer.
When cooking with an Air Fryer, the first thing you need to know is that not all of them operate the same way. Some run hotter and therefore cook food faster than others, so it’s essential to learn how yours works.
I use a basket-type Air Fryer that runs on 1,600 watts, and it takes frozen hash browns 10-12 minutes to cook in it.
This suggested cooking time might not be suitable for small-capacity Air Fryers.
So, if it’s your first time cooking frozen hash browns (or anything) in the Air Fryer, you’ll need to keep a close eye on them, especially in the last few minutes of cooking.
You may also want to consider Air Frying 1 to 2 pieces to check how long they need and avoid too much wastage.
Tips for Oven-Style Air Fryers
- Use the middle rack of the oven when cooking hash browns to ensure even cooking.
- Even if your Air Fryer has several trays, it’s still more advisable to cook on just one rack at a time.
- Putting too much food at the same time may lead to uneven cooking.
- If you must use multiple racks at once, rotate them and flip the hash browns over midway through.