This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These Air Fryer Hash Browns are crisp, lacy, and tender with just 5 minutes of prep needed. With pantry-friendly seasonings and a hands-off cooking method, these are a breeze to make for brunch or dinner.
Hands-Off Hash Browns with Minimal Prep
Who doesn’t love a bit of crispy hash brown with their breakfast? They’re the perfect addition to a side of eggs or turkey bacon. What I don’t love is standing at the stove all morning frying them up. This technique of air-frying hash browns is a dream come true. It’s so simple to make a 4-serving batch of perfectly crispy yet tender hash browns with minimal fuss and cleanup.
To make things even simpler, I like to use frozen, shredded hash browns from the grocery store. I find that the shredded kind cook up quicker than cubed and we prefer their crispier texture. They’re so easy to use, no need to defrost them, just toss with seasonings and oil then let the air fryer do all the hard work!
You can of course also use the same cooking technique for freshly shredded potatoes if that’s what you prefer. It just requires a bit more prep (shredding and soaking the potatoes, then squeezing them dry).
Recipe Overview
A Few Key Ingredients
Below are the key ingredients you’ll need to make these Air Fryer Hash Browns. The full quantities can be found in the recipe card further down the post.
Frozen hash browns: No need to thaw these! Their shredded shape helps them defrost and crisp up quickly so you can just pour them straight into the air fryer. I used shredded hash browns but diced ones will also work here, you may just need to increase the cook time.
Seasonings: I like a combination of onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to keep the flavors simple and classic. You can add in other seasonings like smoked paprika, dried thyme, or cayenne.
Olive oil spray: Using a spray oil is helpful here to get a nice thin, even coating of oil all over the potatoes. Avocado oil spray can also be used. If you don’t have spray oil, just drizzle some olive oil over the potatoes and toss to coat evenly.
Prefer Using Fresh Potatoes?
If you have fresh potatoes on hand you can use them instead of the pre-shredded frozen hash browns from the grocery store. It requires a little extra effort but works just the same:
- Peel then shred 1.25lbs of starchy potatoes (like Russet) on the coarse side of a box grater or by using the shredding attachment on a food processor.
- Soak the shredded potatoes in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch then drain.
- Wrap the shredded potatoes in a clean dish towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much moisture as possible.
- They’re now ready to use! You may need to air fry for a little more time than you would for frozen.
How to Make Frozen Hash Browns Extra Crispy
Frozen hash browns are convenient, but a few simple tricks can help them turn out perfectly crispy.
- Preheat the air fryer before adding the hash browns.
- Spread them into an even layer for even cooking.
- Do not over crowd the air fryer basket.
- Lightly spray with oil if needed for extra browning.
- Shake or flip halfway through cooking.
- Cook until deeply golden brown for maximum crispiness.
How to Make Air Fryer Hash Browns
Step 1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
Step 2. Place the frozen hash browns in your air fryer basket and spread them evenly.
Step 3. Sprinkle with the seasonings and generously spray with olive oil spray.
Step 4. Air fry for around 30 minutes, tossing with tongs every 5 minutes, to ensure even cooking.
Step 5. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Brands of hash browns may differ in moisture content, so if yours seem like they’re not crispy yet after 30 minutes, turn the air fryer up to 400°F and air fry for another 5-10 minutes.
Make them cheesy: Sprinkle on shredded cheese in the final few minutes of air frying so it can melt into the hash browns.
Storage: Store leftover cooked hash browns in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Alternatively, freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until warmed through and crisp.
Questions I Get Asked a Lot
I find 16 oz of shredded hash browns take around 30 minutes at 350°F in the air fryer to get evenly browned and crisp.
No, you can cook hash browns straight from frozen. If you do partially thaw them, pat them dry with paper towels before air frying to remove excess moisture.
You can make these with regular olive oil or avocado oil. Just drizzle lightly over the hash browns in the air fryer and toss to coat. They do need some form of fat to help them get nicely browned and crisp so don’t skip it!
Yes. Air fry at 350°F for 2 to 4 minutes until heated through and crispy again.
The basket may be overcrowded, or they may need a few extra minutes of cooking time. For the crispiest results, spread them in a single layer and cook until golden brown.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Hash Browns
Serve your hash browns with:
- Cottage Cheese Scrambled eggs
- Copycat Starbucks Egg white Bites
- Cottage cheese egg Muffins
- Breakfast Egg Sandwich
- Avocado toast with Eggs
- Breakfast Burritos
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Air Fryer Fish and Chips
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Air Fryer Broccoli
Made these? Leave a comment below and let me know how it went. And tag me on Instagram so I can see your hash browns!
Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Hash Browns
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen hash browns
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
- Place the 16 ounces frozen hash browns in your air fryer basket and spread them evenly.
- Sprinkle with the 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon fine kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and generously spray with olive oil spray.
- Air fry for around 30 minutes, tossing with tongs every 5 minutes, to ensure even cooking.
- Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
