While some air fried hash brown recipes start with frozen hash browns, I wanted to start with freshly grated potatoes to see how it would work and this recipe turned out amazing, you just have to follow the tips listed below. If you are a hash browns lover, this is a fast and simple way to get wonderfully crispy hash browns. You have to try it out! The resulting hash browns are golden brown, crispy, and perfect with eggs and hot sauce if you so desire!
Use Yukon Golds for Air Fryer Hash Browns
While Russet potatoes are the most common potato, I would find Yukon potatoes to yield the best results for these air fryer hash browns. They are a bit smaller than Russets and have a waxy skin instead of the hard brown skin. The key element of Yukon potatoes is that they have slightly less starch in them than the Russet potato, so the strands stay separated more and they get really crispy. That said, you can substitute Russet potatoes and they should turn out just as crispy and delicious. I would make sure to peel Russets as the skin can be thicker. I like my hash browns to be like individual whisps of crispy potato, but if you wanted more of a hash brown patty situation, it would be fine to use Russet potatoes as the strands will stick together more.
For Crispy Hash Browns, Rinse Your Potatoes
I like to peel my potatoes for hash browns, but if you are using Yukons, it’s optional honestly. You can get away with not peeling them. What you absolutely must do though is wash the potatoes well. Once you grate them on a box grater, add them to a bowl with cold water and rinse them really well until the water is mostly clear. I rinse mine 2-3 times. This will remove most of the starch on the exterior of the potatoes. But, of course, now they are wet which isn’t great for air-frying. So, transfer the hash browns to a few paper towels and dry them out as much as possible. Once they are mostly dry, add them to a bowl with all your seasonings and you are ready to make hash browns!
Tips for Air Fryer Hash Browns
To prevent sticking, spray the basket of an air fryer with nonstick spray and then layer in the hash browns in a thin layer. I like to spritz the hash browns with a little spray as well just to give them some fat on the surface. It’s impossible to have a completely single layer of hash browns, but try to have an even layer without any huge hills of hash browns. Start cooking, then stir halfway. Air fry this batch of hash browns at 350˚F for about 8 minutes. Then take out the hash browns and stir them gently just to make sure they are cooking evenly. Then they go back in the air fryer for another 6-8 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
Make It a Breakfast
These are a great side dish for so many brunch items, but if you want to keep it classy, just serve them with some over easy or sunny side up eggs. They would also be delicious with this bagel breakfast casserole recipe!
More Magical Air Fryer Recipes!
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Alternatively, you can rinse the potatoes in a colander, but some potatoes might slip through the colander holes! Spread out the hash browns in the basket of an air fryer in an even layer. Then spritz the hash browns with a little nonstick spray. It’s okay if they overlap or stack up some. Close the air fryer basket and air fry the hash browns for 8 minutes at 350˚F. Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!
