Air fryer hash browns are an irresistible breakfast side. Air fry them from frozen with just a couple of sprays of olive oil — no deep frying needed for the crispiest hash browns! I use a simple seasoning blend of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, but you can season them any way you like.
A quick note about the amount of potatoes: I tested this air fryer hash browns recipe in a 6-quart air fryer and I was able to fit 1 pound of frozen shredded potatoes in a single layer in the basket. If your air fryer is smaller, you will probably need to use a smaller amount of potatoes so that they fit in a single layer without being overcrowded (or else they will not crisp up properly). For more breakfast recipes, try my breakfast potatoes, breakfast casserole, and French toast.
What You Need To Make This Recipe
Hash browns — you need frozen shredded hash browns. Do not thaw them out.
Seasonings — it doesn’t take much more than salt, garlic pepper, and black pepper for flavorful air fryer hash browns with a classic diner taste.
How To Make Hash Browns in the Air Fryer
1. Generously spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with olive oil spray.
2. Spread the frozen hash browns in a single layer in the basket.
3. Season the potatoes with a mixture of salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
4. Air fry at 370°F for 15 minutes. Then, use a spatula to divide the hashbrowns into 4 equal sections.
5. Carefully flip each piece and make sure the hash browns are still in a single layer. The sections may break apart a little and that’s okay.
6. Spray the shredded potatoes all over with olive oil spray. Air fry for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until they are golden brown and crispy. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.
Secrets to Crispy Air Fryer Hash Browns
It’s so easy to get extra crispy hash browns in the air fryer every time with these simple tips:
- Use frozen potatoes! Frozen hashbrowns contain less moisture than shredded fresh potatoes, so the air fryer frozen hash browns will turn out crispy instead of soggy and have a fluffier texture. Plus, they are such an easy way to make homemade hash browns with little effort!
- Leave the potatoes undisturbed until ready to flip. This will give the air fryer time to work its magic and really brown the outer layer.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. This recipe was developed for a 6-quart air fryer basket. If you have a smaller basket, use fewer potatoes in order for them to crisp up properly. You want the potatoes to be in a thinner layer for the best results. A thicker layer of potatoes will result in softer or mushy hash browns.
Serving Suggestions
Serve air fryer hash browns with other breakfast favorites for a satisfying meal!
- For a full diner-style breakfast, serve the hash browns with fried, scrambled, or poached eggs, sausage, candied bacon, or air fryer bacon, and buttered toast or buttermilk biscuits.
- They’re excellent as a side to a decadent, creamy eggs benedict.
- Swap out the skillet potatoes for air fryer hash browns in my breakfast tacos recipe.
- Serve them alongside waffles or pancakes, fresh fruit, and a side of eggs any way you like.
Recipe Variations
- Use different seasonings: Onion powder, paprika, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and dried thyme are some great options. Or go with a sprinkling of fresh herbs like minced rosemary, chives, or green onions.
- Use different oil: Oil is so important for two reasons: It keeps the potatoes from sticking to the air fryer basket, and it keeps them from drying out. Instead of olive oil spray, you can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil spray.
- Smothered: Once the hash browns are crispy, top each serving with a slice of cheddar or American cheese and sauteed onions and bell peppers. Turn on the air fryer for about 1 minute until the cheese is melted.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Air fryer hash browns are best enjoyed immediately for maximum crispness, but if you have leftovers, let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To reheat and revive leftover hash browns, place them back into the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes or until warmed through.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- To break up large frozen pieces of hash browns: Tap the hash brown bag on the counter a few times and break up any large, frozen pieces in the bag. This helps to create an even layer of hash browns in the air fryer. If you have time, let the bag sit out at room temperature for 15 minutes. The potatoes will stay frozen, but the bigger pieces will be easier to break up.
- If you don’t have olive oil spray, you can also brush the basket and the tops of the hash browns with olive oil (2 teaspoons total) or melted butter before air frying.
- For even seasoning, mix the salt, garlic powder, and pepper in a small bowl first. Then, sprinkle this mixture on the hash browns.
- Air fryer temperature: If your air fryer isn’t able to heat precisely to 370°F, you can cook these at 375°F to achieve the same results. They may finish cooking a minute or two faster.
H2: Frequently Asked Questions
There are 2 main reasons for soft, soggy hash browns: moisture and overcrowding. If you thaw out the hash browns before air frying, the shredded potatoes will have released moisture and that can prevent them from becoming crispy.
In addition, if you overcrowd the air fryer basket instead of adding the potatoes in a single thin layer, heat will circulate less effectively and they will steam, becoming soft instead of crisp.
Yes, you can make air fryer hash brown patties, but you will have to adjust the time a bit. Patties take about 15 minutes to cook in the air fryer at 370°F, so flip them after 7 to 8 minutes of cooking time. Be sure to arrange the hash brown patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket with a little bit of space between them.
Yes. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Season the frozen diced hash browns and lightly spray with oil in a separate bowl beforehand. Add them in a single layer to the air fryer basket. Air fry for about 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice while the potatoes cook.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this air fryer hash browns recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Air Fryer Hash Browns Recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Olive oil spray
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen shredded hash browns (454g)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Spray the basket of an air fryer generously with olive oil spray.
- Place the hash browns in a single layer in the basket of an air fryer. Sprinkle them all over with salt, garlic powder and black pepper.
- Air fry at 370°F for 15 minutes. Using a spatula, divide the hash browns into 4 sections and flip each piece. Return the hash browns to a single layer (it’s ok if the sections break apart) and spray them all over with olive oil spray.
- Air fry for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until golden and crispy. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- To break up large frozen pieces of hash browns: Tap the hash brown bag on the counter a few times and break up any large, frozen pieces in the bag. This helps to create an even layer of hash browns in the air fryer. If you have time, let the bag sit out at room temperature for 15 minutes. The potatoes will stay frozen, but the bigger pieces will be easier to break up.
- If you don’t have olive oil spray, you can also brush the basket and the tops of the hash browns with olive oil (2 teaspoons total) or melted butter before air frying.
- For even seasoning, mix the salt, garlic powder, and pepper in a small bowl first. Then, sprinkle this mixture on the hash browns.
- Air fryer temperature: If your air fryer isn’t able to heat precisely to 370°F, you can cook these at 375°F to achieve the same results. They may finish cooking a minute or two faster.
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