Making healthy frozen hash browns in an air fryer offers a multitude of advantages that go beyond just convenience and taste:

• Boost Your Vegetable Intake: Yes, potatoes count as vegetables! And when prepared healthily, they contribute valuable nutrients to your diet. Opting for a root vegetable blend with sweet potatoes and carrots further enhances this, adding a spectrum of antioxidants, fiber, and essential vitamins like Vitamin A and potassium. It’s an easy way to sneak more goodness into your morning meal.
• Effortless Cleanup: One of the biggest pain points of cooking hash browns on the stovetop is the sticky residue left in the pan. Even with ample oil, potatoes often adhere stubbornly. The non-stick nature of air fryer trays, combined with the minimal oil required, means virtually no sticking and a super quick wipe-down. This benefit alone makes air frying a superior choice for many.
• Achieve Unrivaled Crispiness: The air fryer’s powerful convection ensures consistent heating, creating beautifully browned, irresistibly crispy edges while keeping the inside perfectly tender. You get the desired texture of deep-fried hash browns, but with a fraction of the oil, making them feel indulgent yet surprisingly light.
• Dietary Inclusivity: This recipe for air fryer hash browns naturally fits a variety of special diets. Being plant-based and using only whole vegetables (when selecting the right frozen product), it’s ideal for vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, and whole food plant-based (WFPB) lifestyles. Furthermore, since potatoes are naturally gluten-free, this recipe easily adapts to a gluten-free diet, just ensure your chosen brand doesn’t have any hidden gluten-containing additives.
• Smart Nutrition Choices: Without excessive added oils, plain shredded potatoes are surprisingly low in calories and carbohydrates. While adding a moderate amount of healthy oil is crucial for crispness and flavor, the base ingredients remain a wholesome foundation. This allows you to enjoy a satisfying breakfast side without a heavy calorie or carb load, especially when paired with a protein.
• Family-Friendly & Delicious: Hash browns are a universally loved breakfast item. Their appealing crispy texture and savory flavor make them a hit with both kids and adults, even picky eaters. Drizzle with a good quality ketchup, and you have a wholesome, delicious, and nutrient-rich dish that the whole family will enjoy, making healthy eating easy and enjoyable.

Making the perfect air fryer frozen hash browns requires just a few simple, wholesome ingredients:

• Frozen Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes: The star of our dish. Remember, no thawing needed! For the healthiest option, choose brands with minimal ingredients – ideally just potatoes, or a blend of root vegetables.
• Avocado Oil (or Olive Oil): A healthy fat with a high smoke point, crucial for achieving that desired crispiness without burning. Avoid skimping on this, as it’s key to the texture.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance the natural flavor of the potatoes. Adjust to your personal taste.
• Cooking Oil Spray: Essential for lightly misting your air fryer basket or trays, ensuring absolutely no sticking and promoting even browning.
• Ketchup (Optional for Serving): A classic accompaniment. For a healthier twist, I recommend a no-added-sugar variety.

For this recipe, I often use Cascadian Farm Organic root vegetable hash browns, a delightful mix of Yukon gold potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots. This blend not only adds vibrant color to your plate but also enhances the nutritional profile with a broader range of vitamins and antioxidants, specifically provitamin A carotenoids found in sweet potatoes and carrots—nutrients not present in white potatoes alone. Incorporating such a mix is a simple yet impactful way to diversify your diet without extra effort.

Embracing these pre-shredded frozen vegetable mixes is a fantastic time-saver, especially on busy mornings when hand-grating multiple vegetables isn’t feasible. These convenient options allow you to enjoy a nutritious, varied breakfast without compromising on time or flavor.

If you’re opting for ketchup, consider brands like True Made Foods Vegetable Ketchup, which uses natural sweeteners from vegetables like butternut squash instead of added sugars or artificial substitutes. It offers the classic taste you love without the unwanted sugar content.

Prepare the Hash Browns: Empty your bag of frozen shredded hash browns into a medium-sized mixing bowl. There’s no need to thaw them beforehand; cooking directly from frozen helps achieve that desired crispness. If the potatoes are stuck together in a large clump, gently smack the bag against your countertop a few times to break them apart before adding them to the bowl.

Season and Coat: Drizzle the avocado oil (or olive oil) over the frozen hash browns. Give them a thorough stir to ensure every strand is lightly coated. This step is crucial for crispiness, so resist the urge to reduce the oil quantity too much, as it helps with browning and prevents drying out. Next, sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste, and stir again to distribute the seasonings evenly.

Achieving truly crispy hash browns in the air fryer depends significantly on correct cooking times and a couple of key techniques. Air fryers vary in wattage and design, so always consider these times as a starting point and adjust as needed for your specific model.

Begin by air frying your hash browns at 400°F (200°C) for an initial 12 minutes. This first phase helps to rapidly cook the potatoes and start the browning process.

After 12 minutes, carefully remove the trays or basket. Using a spatula, flip and stir the partially cooked potatoes. This ensures all sides get exposed to the hot air. If you’re using an air fryer oven with multiple trays, now is the perfect time to switch their positions (top tray to bottom, bottom tray to top) for even cooking. Return the hash browns to the air fryer and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C). The total cooking time for perfectly crispy hash browns will be approximately 22 minutes.

The beauty of air frying is evident in the final product: beautifully browned, incredibly crispy bits intertwined with softer, tender potato strands. It’s astonishing how little oil is needed to achieve such remarkable results, far surpassing the texture and health benefits of stovetop versions. Once cooked, transfer your golden-brown hash browns to plates and prepare to enjoy a fantastic breakfast!

Don’t forget that final flourish: a generous drizzle of your favorite ketchup on top. You’ve just mastered the art of air frying frozen hash browns – a truly simple yet impressive culinary feat!

Are frozen hash brown patties healthy?

Generally, plain frozen shredded hash browns are a healthier choice compared to frozen hash brown patties. Hash brown patties are often more processed and can include ingredients like added sugars, low-quality vegetable oils (e.g., soybean or canola oil), and various starches or binders to help them maintain their shape. These additives increase their caloric density and can diminish their nutritional value.

Many hash brown patties fall into the category of ultra-processed foods. While an occasional treat is fine, regular consumption might not align with a health-conscious diet. Even “health food store” brands of patties, despite their marketing, can contain these added ingredients. When you buy plain shredded potatoes, you control the quality of oil and avoid unwanted sugars, making it a superior choice for daily meals.

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  12
  ounces
  frozen shredded hash browns
  (340 grams; I used Cascadian Farm Organic root vegetable hashbrowns)

• 
  ▢
  
  
  2
  tablespoons
  
  avocado oil
  
  (olive oil may also be used)

• 
  ▢
  
  
  salt and pepper, to taste

• 
  ▢
  
  
  cooking oil spray

• 
  ▢
  
  
  3
  tablespoons
  
  no added sugar ketchup
  
  (for serving)

1. Put the frozen hash browns in a medium-sized bowl. If they’re stuck together, smack the bag on the countertop a few times to break them up before adding them to the bowl.
2. Drizzle the avocado oil on the potatoes and stir. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper and stir again.
3. Mist your air fryer oven trays with the cooking spray. I needed two air fryer trays for this recipe.
4. Spread the hash brown potatoes out on the prepared trays. Put the trays in the air fryer, and air fry for 12 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
5. Next, flip and stir the hash browns. Switch the position of the trays in the air fryer, and bake for 10 more minutes at 400°F (200°C). (Note: Times may need to be adjusted for different air fryers- always watch the food closely the first time you try a new air fryer recipe! Air fryers with a basket or one tray likely need a shorter cooking time.)
6. Divide the air fried hashbrowns between three plates, and drizzle each with one tablespoon of the ketchup. Enjoy!

💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule

This is a level 2 recipe (transition or weight maintenance). While these hash browns are a fantastic way to incorporate vegetables into your breakfast, it’s crucial to remember they are a breakfast side dish. With only about 1 gram of protein per serving, they need to be paired with a substantial protein source to create a balanced, satisfying meal.

Eggs are my top recommendation for an entrée to go with hash browns. However, if eggs aren’t your preference, consider these other excellent protein options for your breakfast:

• Greek yogurt or skyr: These offer significantly more protein than standard yogurt.
• Cottage cheese: A versatile and protein-rich option (be mindful of sodium content if you’re on a low-sodium diet).
• Breakfast sausage: Choose poultry sausage for a leaner option, or traditional pork sausage if you need higher energy.
• Protein-packed breakfast smoothie: While I typically advocate for whole foods, a protein powder can be a convenient way to boost the protein content of your smoothie to ensure adequacy.
• Chicken and hash browns: A unique twist on the classic chicken and waffles, offering a savory and fulfilling meal.

This easy side of hash browns is excellent for individuals with higher energy needs, as it provides healthy, slow-release carbohydrates. For sedentary adults with weight loss goals, it might be more beneficial to prioritize protein and a lower-calorie fruit or vegetable side for breakfast.

Conversely, for children, those aiming for weight gain, or active individuals, incorporating more healthy carbohydrates like breakfast potatoes, whole-grain cereals, or whole-grain toast can be a good strategy. These foods often pack a lot of energy into a relatively small volume.

Ultimately, if your goal is weight gain, focus on nutrient-dense foods that won’t fill you up too quickly. If fat loss is your objective, prioritize healthy foods that offer high satiety for fewer calories.

Nutrition information is for one serving of the recipe.