Say goodbye to mushy, soggy or overcooked hash browns! This simple recipe for the crispiest hash browns requires just shredded potatoes, a few seasonings and your air fryer. Pair it with this unreal avocado toast for the ultimate breakfast!
Every now and then my husband will treat the kids on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning by taking them out to breakfast. If the kids are still sleeping or just getting up, he'll sometimes grab it to-go and have a quick breakfast waiting for them when they're ready to eat. The kids love it and I get a break from cooking - it's a win-win!
It amazes me how excited the kids get because all he orders is bagels and hash browns, but they light up each and every time.
I recently looked up what's actually in these hash browns, and it definitely surprised me. Obviously there are preservatives and long words that clearly aren't food, but natural beef flavor? I was not expecting that. In fact, the hash browns were not even vegetarian, let alone vegan!
I started looking up how to make homemade hash browns where I could ensure that the ingredients are what they should be: just potatoes, oil and seasoning. And after experimenting with the oven, stovetop and air fryer, I landed on a foolproof method that the kids love just as much - actually more!
The winner was the air fryer method. The air fryer not only yields extra crispy hash browns, but it also requires the least work and allows for the smallest margin for error. I won't make it any other way!
And if you LOVE crispy potatoes as much as I do, definitely try these extra crispy smashed potatoes! These are seriously addictive and perfect for the holidays or any weeknight family meal.
Why You'll Love these Hash Browns
- Easy breakfast recipe: just season and let the air fryer do the rest!
- Healthier option: uses much less oil than deep frying.
- Kid-friendly
- Addictive: crispy and salty - definitely a favorite breakfast side dish!
- Easy clean up
Ingredients
One of the beauties of this air fryer hash browns recipe is just how easy it is. There are only a few simple ingredients outside of the potatoes, all of which are likely in your pantry already.
- Frozen shredded hash browns: My personal preference is for bags where potatoes are the only ingredient, such as from Cascadian Farms (not sponsored).
- Olive oil spray: The oil is essential for crispiness, plus it adds flavor and prevents the potatoes from sticking to the basket. Avocado oil is fine to use as well.
- Seasonings: Salt, ground black pepper and garlic powder are all you need, but onion powder is a great option as well.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Hash Browns
1. Preheat the air fryer to 350˚ F.
2. Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with a generous amount of olive oil to fully coat the bottom and edges of the basket.
3. Place the shredded frozen potatoes in the basket and spread into one single layer. Spray the top of the potatoes generously with olive oil to fully coat. Sprinkle the salt, pepper and garlic powder overtop the potatoes evenly.
4. Air fry for 10 minutes. Use a spatula to divide into four equal sections and flip each section carefully. Then air fry for another 10 minutes until you have golden brown potatoes throughout with crispy edges.
Recipe Tips
Use frozen hash browns rather than fresh. If you know me, I always prefer something fresh over frozen. But this is an exception! Frozen hash browns actually crisp up better than fresh potatoes because they contain less moisture and we want them as dry as possible.
Do not overcrowd the basket. For best results, make sure that the potatoes are spread into a single even layer so that none are overtop each other. Overcrowding will cause sogginess, so if you are making more than your air fryer basket can hold then cook them in a second batch.
Serving Suggestions
These hash browns are a delicious side dish to enjoy any time of day. I usually have them as part of my breakfast alongside avocado toast, vegan blueberry pancakes or fresh fruit.
They also make for a perfect after-school snack for kids and adults alike! The kids love dipping it in ketchup, but I like to take it to the next level by pairing it with my vegan sour cream. Trust me, this combo is so good!
Storing and Reheating
Store leftover hash browns in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350 degrees F for a cooking time of 4-6 minutes.
Health Benefits of Potatoes
Potatoes don't always get touted as a health food because of how people typically prepare them. They are either soaked in oil and deep-fried, covered in butter or used as a base for bacon and cheese. But take all those away and you actually have a very nutritious vegetable!
Potatoes by themselves contain no fat, cholesterol or sodium. They are rich in heart-healthy fiber, vitamin C and potassium and also contain vitamin B6 and magnesium.
These hash browns do contain some fat due to the olive oil, but these are mostly monounsaturated fatty acids which help lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol (source).
More Potato Recipes
I usually opt for sweet potatoes (see my crispy air fryer sweet potato fries!), but I often have potatoes on hand in case the mood strikes.
I often use potatoes for my super creamy vegan mashed potatoes, and when I want to go fancy on a game-day appetizer I'll serve up these bite-sized mini hasselback potatoes.
Air frying these delicious hash browns require just a few simple steps and are easily the best way to prepare them. These hash browns are vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar free.
I hope you enjoy them as much as my family does. If you try them please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram so I can see how they turned out!
More Air Fryer Recipes
- 15-minute crispy air fryer cauliflower
- 5-minute air fryer asparagus
- Air fryer roasted garlic
- Homemade crispy air fryer tortilla chips
Crispy Air Fryer Hash Browns
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Say goodbye to mushy, soggy or overcooked hash browns! This simple recipe for the crispiest hash browns requires just shredded potatoes, a few seasonings and your air fryer.
Ingredients
16 oz frozen shredded hash brown potatoes (only ingredient should be potatoes)
Olive oil spray
¾ tsp salt
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350˚F.
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with a generous amount of olive oil to fully coat the bottom and edges of the basket.
- Place the shredded potatoes in the basket and spread into one even layer. Spray the top of the potatoes generously with olive oil to fully coat. Sprinkle the salt, pepper and garlic powder overtop the potatoes evenly.
- Air fry for 10 minutes. Use a spatula to divide into four equal sections and flip each section carefully. Then air fry for another 10 minutes until golden brown throughout and crispy on the edges.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the basket. Making sure the hash browns are spread into one even layer will ensure they get crispy.
Store leftover hash browns in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350˚F for 4-6 minutes.
- Prep Time: 2
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
Anjali says
I have always struggled with making frozen hashbrowns perfectly on the stovetop - which is why I'm so glad I found your air fryer recipe! This was way easier than making frozen hashbrowns on the stovetop and they turned out so well - like restaurant quality!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Anjali! I'm so happy to hear they were restaurant-quality and so easy for you!
Holly says
This is brilliant!! My hashbrowns are always crispy on the outside, but mushy in the middle. It has never occurred to me to throw them in the air fryer. Duh! They came out crispy and amazing. Game changer for our Sunday breakfast tradition! Thanks for the great idea.
Elaine Gordon says
Wow, I'm so honored to have an impact on your breakfast tradition! Thank you for sharing!