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You asked, and we are answering! We get a variety of recipe requests through AirFrying.net, but one of the most frequent suggestions is a post explaining how to cook hash browns in the air fryer. Some have even questioned whether or not it can be done. So let me put your fears to rest – it can be done, and we’re here to tell you how to air fry frozen hash browns.
Like most things, getting the hash browns right took some trial and error. So I will tell you what your challenges will be and how to avoid them.
The main challenge is the strips of frozen hash browns sticking to the bottom of your basket (and yes, this will happen, despite your non-stick coating). The solution, however, is an easy one – place an air fryer parchment paper in the bottom of the basket. Then, pour your hash browns on top.
Another challenge is even cooking. One of the tricks I have learned is to spritz the top of the hash browns with olive oil. This achieves a crispy outer layer that will provide the texture you want. It will also serve as an edible adhesive, holding your hash browns together so that you can flip them over with a spatula halfway through the cooking process. Once you have flipped the hash brows, spritz the top layer once more with olive, avocado or canola oil.
It could be tempting to skip oiling them since you might be using your air fryer to cut down on added fat in your diet. DON’T DO IT. If you air fry the plain frozen hash browns straight from the bag, they will have very little flavor and will not be particularly appetizing. Once the frozen hash browns are in the air fryer, I sprinkle salt and pepper on them then spray the top with oil. You could put any seasoning you like on before the oil spray, or even put the frozen hash browns in a bowl with seasoning and oil and toss together before putting in the air fryer. Whatever you decide to do, definitely add flavor before air frying.
When the hash browns are finished, simply plate and remove the parchment round from your basket. Easy peasy!
For other breakfast ideas try one of these breakfast favorites:
- Frozen Waffles
- Muffin Quiche
- French Toast
- Buttermilk Biscuits
- Cinnamon Toast
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Breakfast Sausage
- 1/2 bag hash brown potatoes (470 calories per cup) I used Ore Ida
- spray oil
- salt and pepper
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Place a vented parchment round in the basket of your air fryer.
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Add a thin layer of frozen hash browns.
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Sprinkle with salt and pepper (or other desired seasoning) then spray the top layer with oil.
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Cook for 7 minutes at 370°F | 165°C.
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Flip the hash browns and spritz with oil again.
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Cook for another 7-8 minutes or until desired color and texture are achieved.
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Plate and enjoy!
Tools and ingredients used for this recipe:
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What temperature or setting do you use?
opps updated the recipe we normally do around 370 degrees F
What if I don’t have parchment paper
If you don’t have parchment paper, the best option is to spray your basket with oil prior to putting in the hash browns. Hope that helps!
Are the directions the same for the “other” kind of air fryer – the one that comes as part of an oven/toaster/broiler/air fryer?
We haven’t tried preparing frozen hash browns in a mutli-functional air fryer like what you mention, but I would follow the same general guidelines as we have here. The nice thing about those devices is that their capacity is usually a lot bigger so you have a lot more space for a thin layer of hash browns. They will likely cook faster, so I’d recommend watching to see when the tops are browned to your liking. At that point, flip the hash browns (if needed; our Emeril’s air fryer basket is so open on the bottom, I don’t think we’d need to flip) and cook until the tops are browned again.
Can I poke holes in regular parchment paper and use it in place of the expensive air fryer parchment rounds?
Hi, Linda – I haven’t tried that but if you do, please report back!
Hi Linda,
I was wondering if you tried putting holes in regular parchment paper and how it turned out. I was going to ask the same thing. We just got our air fryer so I’m new.
Same here. I just recently bought an air fryer and was wondering about placing holes in regular parchment paper, as well. How did it work out?
I am pretty sure it will work just fine if you use normal parchment paper, maybe just use a hole puncher, or make a paper snowflake. 🙂 The only tip I can give you though is to NOT preheat your air fryer WITH a liner in, as it will suck up into the burner, and fires aren’t good.
Came out great and I added butter, and other seasonings to the recipe as well
I thought the whole point of using a air fryer was so we don’t have to use oil good grief
You can certainly skip the oil, but for this recipe in particular, I don’t recommend it. The plain frozen potatoes won’t have much taste and will be quite dry.
No. Air fryers use less oil, not no oil.
Frozen hash browns have no oil on them so you need some to get hash browns otherwise you’re just eating dehydrated potato shreds – which are not tasty.
Before cooking hash browns I place them in a bowl and add a small amount of olive oil before frying.
I rolled up parchment paper tightly and made small triangle snips it worked perfectly. At 370 air fried for 6 minutes two handfuls frozen hashbrowns. I sprayed with canola oil and sprinkled with seasoned salt. pepper. after the first 6 minutes stirred with a fork and cooked another 6 minutes. Suggest you check your fryer for the first batch and adjust.
I cooked them for 7 minutes on one side, and maybe 5 minutes on the other side. If I would have gone the full 7 minutes on the 2nd side, they would have been overcooked and not edible.
Can anyone tel me what to set my foodi on? I don’t believe I can set certain temps I think it is just lo medium hi things like that.
Thanks
Linda
Hi, Linda – We don’t have a Foodi, but does the instruction manual tell you what Ninja considers low, medium and high temps? If not, I’d consider high to be 400 F since that’s the highest most airfryers go. Medium might be 300 and low 200, but that’s just a guess.
I have trays. I cut parchment to size then used my ice pick to make the holes. Just laid the parchment over the
Tray and punched thru the holes in the tray. Took about
1 min.
Great blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a
little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free
platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m
completely confused .. Any suggestions? Kudos!
WordPress is amazing, Easy, and secure. I suggest finding a fast theme that matches up your blog topic post and writing 20 articles before you post any of them. Check out youtube, there are many good content writers there, income school comes to mind. Cheers friend.