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If you love crispy, shredded hash browns, you’ll love this recipe for Air Fryer Hash Browns. They’re quick and easy and the perfect addition to brunch or breakfast!
When I say quick and easy, I’m not kidding! For this recipe, we’re using store-bought frozen hash browns. This is a huge time saver and they taste just as good as freshly grated hash browns.
We make these Asian-style crispy hash browns on the stove top all the time, so I wondered if they would get just as crispy in the air fryer.
You guys, they definitely get just as crispy, and they’re a little less work too! I kept the seasonings super simple for this air fryer recipe with salt and pepper and a little avocado oil, and they turned out so golden brown and crispy - like these air fryer breakfast potatoes we also really love!
These hash browns go perfectly with the ultimate bagel breakfast sandwich or a croque madame. You can also serve them with any of these air fryer breakfast recipes!
Jump to:
What is an Air Fryer?
The Air Fryer is a healthier alternative to frying foods. It's basically a small, powerful convection oven that sits on your countertop.
It circulates hot air around the food you're cooking, which is what gives it that crisp texture that mimics fried food (without all the grease).
Read more about the health benefits of using an air fryer.
I personally use this Ninja MAX XL Air Fryer because it hold 5.5 quarts, which is more than most. It has worked great so far and we just love how easy it is to use!
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Why this recipe works
- These hash browns get ultra crispy without deep frying or pan frying in oil! You just need a little avocado oil and the hot air circulating around the air fryer does the rest.
- You only need basic ingredients. We're talking frozen shredded hash browns, salt, pepper and oil. That’s it!
- The recipe is pretty hands off! You don’t need to keep an eye on the hash browns like you would if they were cooking on the stove top. Just make sure to flip them once in the basket.
Ingredients
You just need 4 ingredients to make this recipe!
You’ll need 16 ounces of frozen shredded hash browns. Make sure they’re the shredded kind and not patties or cubes.
To help get the hash browns crispy, the recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of avocado oil. You can also use olive oil if you prefer.
Lastly, you’ll need some salt and pepper for seasoning. Feel free to add some other dried herbs and spices to change it up!
Step by step instructions
Combine the hash browns in a bowl (straight from frozen) with the avocado oil, salt and pepper and mix to combine.
Place in a lightly oiled air fryer basket. (You’ll need to cook in 2 separate batches so keep the second batch in the freezer while the first cooks).
Cook at 375F degrees for 12-18 minutes, depending on desired crispness, flipping halfway. Repeat with remaining hash browns.
Expert tips
- Make sure you’re using shredded hash browns. You can also get cubes and patties but they require different air frying temperatures and times.
- While you don’t need to air fry the hash browns in a single layer, you don’t want to overcrowd the air fryer basket. This means air frying in at least 2 batches.
- Do not defrost the hash browns. They’re meant to be cooked from frozen. Be sure to keep the second batch in the freezer while the first batch air fries.
- To ensure they brown evenly, don’t forget to flip the hash browns halfway through cooking. But don’t flip them more than once. Leaving them alone will help them get crispy.
- If your air fryer requires preheating, you’ll want to do so before adding the first batch of hash browns.
- These hash browns are seasoned with just salt and pepper. You can change it up and use different dried herbs and spices. I think a little Cajun seasoning would be perfect.
- When spraying oil in the air fryer basket, be sure to use real cooking oil and not PAM as it's not ideal for your air fryer. I like to use this oil sprayer and fill it with my favorite oil.
- Air fryers can vary so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
Common questions
I recommend setting your air fryer to 375F degrees. This is high enough that they get golden brown and crispy but not too high that they burn.
At 375F degrees, it takes just 12-18 minutes per batch. The exact timing depends on how crispy you want them, as well as the size of your air fryer and how crowded the basket is.
I have not tested freshly grated hash browns for this recipe, but if you decide to try it, you will likely need to adjust the air frying temperature and time.
I don’t recommend eliminating the oil. It’s needed to help the hash browns get crispy, and using it to lightly spray the basket also helps prevent the hash browns from sticking.
There is no need to defrost. The temperature and timing in the recipe is based on air frying from frozen.
Yes, just break them into individual portions and place them on a baking sheet directly in the freezer for about 3 hours. Once frozen, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 6 months.
These hash browns are the perfect addition to bacon and eggs! Try this sous vide bacon recipe and these sous vide scrambled eggs or sous vide soft boiled eggs. A side of air fryer biscuits and breakfast fried rice would also be delicious.
More easy air fryer recipes
If you love this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below and let us know your favorite thing about it. We'd also love to connect on Instagram! Follow us at @went_here_8_this for awesome recipes and all sorts of fun food stuff 🙂
Recipe
Air Fryer Hash Browns
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen shredded hash browns
- 4 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine the hash browns in a bowl (straight from frozen) with the avocado oil, salt and pepper and mix to combine.
- Place half of the hash browns in a lightly oiled air fryer basket. (You'll need to cook in 2 separate batches so keep the second batch in the freezer while the first batch cooks).
- Cook at 375F degrees for 12-18 minutes, depending on desired crispness, flipping halfway. Repeat with remaining hash browns.
Expert Tips:
- Make sure you’re using shredded hash browns. You can also get cubes and patties but they require different air frying temperatures and times.
- While you don’t need to air fry the hash browns in a single layer, you don’t want to overcrowd the air fryer basket. This means air frying in at least 2 batches.
- Do not defrost the hash browns. They’re meant to be cooked from frozen. Be sure to keep the second batch in the freezer while the first batch air fries.
- To ensure they brown evenly, don’t forget to flip the hash browns halfway through cooking. But don’t flip them more than once. Leaving them alone will help them get crispy.
- If your air fryer requires preheating, you’ll want to do so before adding the first batch of hash browns.
- These hash browns are seasoned with just salt and pepper. You can change it up and use different dried herbs and spices. I think a little Cajun seasoning would be perfect.
- When spraying oil in the air fryer basket, be sure to use real cooking oil and not PAM as it's not ideal for your air fryer. I like to use this oil sprayer and fill it with my favorite oil.
- Air fryers can vary so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
Nutrition
Lubna
Wow...these looks amazing. Never thought of air fryer version of hash browns...perfectly done...
Danielle
Thanks!
heather
These came out so good! They were ultra easy to make and came out nice and crispy. Everyone was happy!
Danielle
So glad you liked them!