Air Fryer Frozen Hash Browns

Perfectly crispy, cooking hash browns in your air fryer is so quick and easy. The perfect potato side dish for any meal of the day!

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Air fried hash browns on a serving plate with a small bowl of sauce.

Last Updated on May 20, 2024 by Betty Davies

Cook up your frozen potato hash browns in less time using your air fryer. Perfect for breakfast, brunch or dinner, they come out perfectly crispy on the outside and soft in the middle and sit alongside all kinds of meals effortlessly. The frozen shredded hash brown patties come out super tasty with minimum effort!

Cooked air fryer frozen has browns served on a plate next to a pot of BBQ sauce.

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Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, lunch or dinner, frozen hash browns are a delicious and convenient potato side dish. I always opt to cook them in my air fryer now, rather than the oven, they come out much crispier in less time, and it means that the oven is freed up for the rest of your meal.

The hash brown patties are quickly cooked right from frozen in your air fryer, and you can cook them with or without oil. They are also easily reheated if you have leftovers.

This recipe is perfect for frozen store bought hash browns like McCain or Cavendish, or use this cooking method for your favorite homemade recipe.

Be sure to try my Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots and Air Fryer Frozen Waffle Fries too!

Why you will love this recipe!

Quick and easy: With minimal prep required, this air fryer method is quicker than oven baking the hash browns and they come out way better!
Perfect for any meal: Hash browns are of course a perfect side for breakfast or brunch, but I also love serving them up with a weeknight dinner as a change from fries or wedges.
Dietary info: Most frozen hash browns are gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free, but be sure to check the label first if you have an intolerance or follow a strict plant-based lifestyle.

Air fryer frozen hash browns piled on a serving plate.

Ingredients

Hash Browns: Use frozen hash browns for this recipe, I used Cavendish brand, but this recipe will work well with all types. The hash browns are made with shredded potatoes and onions.
Oil: This is optional, but a little spray of oil helps to get the hash browns super golden brown and crispy. If using, use a neutral flavored high heat oil like sunflower, vegetable, canola or avocado.

How to cook frozen hash browns in an air fryer

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

Place the hash brown patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket (photo 1).
Cook til golden brown and crispy (photo 2).

Two step by step photos to show how to make the recipe.

Recipe Variations

This simple air fryer method of cooking frozen hash browns produces the crispiest results. If you like, you can add some seasoning to the hash browns, like onion powder, garlic powder or salt, before cooking for some added flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to thaw the hash browns before cooking?

No. For best results cook the hash browns right from frozen, there’s no need to defrost them first.

Can you cook them without oil?

You don’t have to use any oil for this recipe, but I do like to add a little as it really helps to crisp them up, cook evenly and turn a rich golden brown color. Use an oil spray bottle to spray oil in the air fryer basket as well as on top of the hash browns, you only need a little. I have also cooked them without oil and they still turn out great without it.

Can you cook homemade hash browns in the air fryer?

Sure, if you have a favorite homemade recipe then use that! For best results they should be frozen solid before cooking.

Close up of six crispy hash browns stacked on top of each other.

Serving Suggestions

Your air fryer hash browns are perfect anytime of the day whether it’s for a weekend breakfast or brunch or added to a weeknight dinner, there’s no bad time for them! Try them with some of these favorite recipes:

Storage and Reheating

Your cooked hash browns will keep well, covered in the fridge, for up to 3 days. They can be quickly reheated in the air fryer at 400F for 3 to 4 minutes to heat them through and get them nice and crispy again.

Recipe Notes and Tips

Cook the frozen hash browns in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If they are overlapping or piled on top of each other they won’t cook evenly.
If you want to cook more hash browns than will comfortably fit in your air fryer, you can keep the cooked ones warm in the oven til ready to serve.
Preheat the air fryer before cooking them. This will ensure that they are extra crispy.
Air fryer models can run slightly differently, so timings may need to be adjusted slightly during cooking.

A hash brown broken in half and dipped in sauce.

This method for cooking frozen hash browns in the air fryer is so quick and easy and results in the crispiest bite every single time.

More Air Fryer Recipes

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