Ready for the crispiest, crunchiest hash browns ever?? These air fryer hash browns are made from scratch with just 3 ingredients plus an optional fourth and make a perfect addition to your brunch or breakfast.
Do you have an air fryer? Are you loving it?
You’re going to LOVE these air fryer hash browns! Just like my Buffalo cauliflower and air fryer carrots, these bad boys are flavour packed, crispy and delicious!
Pair them with fluffy pancakes, fresh fruit and all your favourites for the ultimate breakfast!
I’m sure we’ve all had deep fried hash browns at some point in our lives right?
Now you can have ALL that crispiness and deliciousness with FAR less oil, and I even have an oil free option for you too.
How to make them
(This is a summary with step-by-step photos, full recipe measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Gather your ingredients. All you need is potatoes, salt, a little oil (or see my oil free option in the notes at the bottom) and onion powder, if you’d like.
You may peel the potatoes or leave the peel on, just scrub well first.
Then shred your potatoes using a box shredder into a plate, cutting board, or directly into a large mixing bowl to save an extra dish to wash. (photo 1)
Next, you’ll cover the potato shreds in cold water, give it a stir and let them sit for about 20 minutes. Then drain in a colander and rinse with cold water. (photos 2-3)
NOTE: This process removes the starch, resulting in crispy air fryer hash browns later, so do not skip.
Now dry your potato shreds using a clean dish towel or paper towels. Lay them out and press and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. (photos 4-5)
Return the DRY potato shreds to your mixing bowl (but wipe the bowl dry first!). Add your seasoning and the oil, if using, and mix well. Then transfer the shreds to your basket. (photos 6-7)
Spread the shreds into an even layer and try not to leave any thicker areas or those spots won’t crisp up as much. Then cook until golden and crispy, (approx 20 minutes in an 8qt Ninja Foodi) no need to flip. (photos 8-9)
Once golden and desired level of crispiness is reached, carefully remove the hash brown from your basket.
Use a silicone spatula to gently separate the edges if needed, and then lift it out. Enjoy with all your favourite breakfast foods or as a side dish.
Break off pieces or use a pizza slicer to cut into cleaner, cut wedges, if preferred.
One round hash brown easily serves 2 with a generous portion or you may cut into 4 triangular slices.
I kind of like this messy look!
What kind of air fryer should I use?
I’m using an 8qt Ninja Foodi and my hash brown is crispy at the 18-20 minute mark.
If you’re using a smaller air fryer basket, they will cook faster. Start checking around the 12-15 minute mark and cook until desired crispiness is reached.
For smaller models you may need to work in two batches.
What substitutions can I make?
If using the optional onion powder in your air fryer hash brows, you’ll have onion flavour of course. If onion is not your thing, feel free to omit it.
Or you may sub the onion powder for another flavour, if preferred.
For spicy hash browns, use ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
For smoky hash browns, add ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika.
*If you’re avoiding oil and using a non stick basket, this recipe also works without the oil. I tried it in my Ninja Foodi and it does not stick. Use a silicone spatula to gently separate the edges and it will remove easily. Please note that it will be slightly less crispy this way.
Expert Tips for the Crispiest Hash Browns
- Don’t skip the soaking. Soaking the potatoes in cold water helps remove the starch which will result in crispier potatoes. So make sure to soak for 20 minutes and also rinse them afterward.
- Dry them very well! Again, for maximum crispiness, make sure the potato shreds are dried well. Use a clean dish towel to squeeze out the liquid.
- Spread the potatoes in an even layer to get them evenly crisped. Thicker spots may not crisp up as much.
More Awesome Vegan Breakfast Recipes
- Healthy Blueberry Pancakes
- Eggless Frittata Muffins
- Healthy Vegan Oatmeal Cookies
- Banana Walnut Smoothie
If you tried this recipe, please let me know in the comments below. I always love hearing from you! Don’t forget to Subscribe to This Healthy Kitchen to be among the first to get my new recipes! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube to see more delicious food.
Buon appetito
Rosa
📖 Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb yellow potatoes approx 2 medium potatoes
- 1.5 tablespoon avocado oil or cooking oil of choice *see notes for oil free option
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder optional
Instructions
- Fill a large bowl with cold water and peel your potatoes. (Or scrub them if you wish to leave the peel on.)
- Then using a box grater, shred your potatoes into the bowl of water. Give them a quick stir and let them sit for 20 minutes. Now drain into a colander and rinse very well with cold water.
- Transfer the shredded potatoes to a clean dish towel or paper towels and squeeze or press them dry. You want them as dry as possible for the crispiest hash browns.
- Now add the potatoes back to the same bowl (wipe it dry first) and add the oil (if using) and the seasoning. Mix well.
- Grease or spray your basket (if needed) and place the seasoned potatoes inside. Use a silicone spatula to spread and press the shreds into an even layer and cook at 370 degrees for 12-18 minutes, until golden. No need to flip! Enjoy!
Vaughn
Recipe was just fine. I somehow managed to turn my hashbrowns into shoestring potatoes which would be would be a great topping. My shredded potato soaked for probably 20 hours due to other distractions. So I think that I got too much of the starch out of them so they didn’t hold together. I’m using a two drawer ninja and accidentally started it off on bake instead of air fry. I’ll do it again, thank you!
Rosa
Thanks for sharing and glad you enjoyed it despite the distractions. 🙂
NIta
Hi – have you tried making these with the pre-packaged Simply Potatoes Hash Browns? Hoping it works!
Rosa
I haven’t tried that, please let us know how it goes if you give that a try.
Cathy
Light and delicious!
Rosa
Thrilled you enjoyed!
Tina
This was good. Make sure to do an even layer in your Airfryer.
Rosa
Glad you enjoyed Tina!
Sandy
Made 2 of these air fryer hash browns for dinner for me and my husband and they were gone in about 2 minutes flat!! I think I’ll need to make a big batch next time. Great recipe! Thank you.
Rosa
That’s awesome! So glad you both enjoyed Sandy! 🙂
Nick
Yum
Rosa
Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Carol
Made these over the weekend so delicious and crunchy! Thank you.
Rosa
Yay! So glad you enjoyed Carol. 🙂
Betty
Can you use a air fryer with shelves? If so would you use parchment paper under the hash briwns?
Rosa
I haven’t tried that, but I’ve had other readers do so with success. Parchment paper isn’t needed if you have tightly woven shelves. If the holes are too big, then use parchment paper, but you’ll likely need to flip the hash browns for even heat distribution. Enjoy!
Clary Tim
You are correct, I do this often. I have the shelf oven style air fryer and no need for parchment. just spread the layer over the spray coated shelf, I spray Avacado oil from my manual mister on top of the shredded potato, a bit of salt and pepper and air fry, watch for doneness as they all differ ( can get mine perfect in less than 5 min). And yes flip. Just practice a you’ll know then next time regarding timing.
Connie
Can I prep this in advance?
Rosa
Hi Connie, you may shred the potatoes and leave the shreds soaking in the fridge in advance. You can try partially cooking them (maybe halfway?) but I wouldn’t fully cook them in advance or they may dry out when reheating. Enjoy.
Noora
Hello! Do you have any suggestions on how I can make these the night before? Thanks!
Rosa
Hi Noora, I haven’t tried prepping these the night before. But you can prepare everything the night before and leave the potato shreds soaking in the fridge. Or perhaps even cook them halfway/two thirds of the way until they hold together and then finish them off in the morning. Hope you enjoy!