Here's how to cook frozen hash brown patties in the air fryer: 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celsius) for 9 minutes, cooking them for 5 minutes, flipping, then cooking 4 more. Air fryer hash brown patties come out golden and crispy with no oil needed, and they're ready faster than the oven can preheat!
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Oil-Free Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Hash Brown Patties
After years of cooking frozen hash brown patties at home, I've finally found my favorite method for taste and texture. Skip the oil you'd need for frying and the sometimes limp results from the oven. Air fryer hash brown patties turn out golden brown, crispy on the outside and tender in the middle in about 12 minutes from start to finish.
Whenever I can get that fried texture with less oil, I consider it a win. With these frozen hash browns (and my air fryer tater tots), I don't add a single drop! They're already par-cooked with a little oil, so they crisp up beautifully on their own.
Cooking frozen foods is one of my favorite ways to use the air fryer. These hash browns mean less clean-up, they cook faster than in the oven, the texture is better and there's no added oil. It's a win all around!
They're also my secret weapon for holiday mornings. While the tofu scramble or a vegan breakfast quiche is cooking, a batch of hash browns takes care of itself in the air fryer, so everyone gets a hot, crispy side at the same time.
The Ingredients
- Hash brown patties: Use your favorite frozen patties. My favorites are Walmart's Great Value hash brown patties and the ones from Trader Joe's. Most are vegan, but a few brands add dairy or egg, so give the label a quick check.
- Salt and pepper (optional): Season to taste.
Optional to serve:
- Ketchup or your favorite dip.
- Vegan cheese: Sprinkle a melty vegan cheese over the patties during the last 2 to 3 minutes.
- Make it a meal: Turn them into Smashed Avocado Hashbrown Toast, tuck one into an easy vegan breakfast sandwich or smother them in creamy vegan sausage gravy.
You don't need any oil for crispy air fryer hash brown patties. For the very crispiest results, lightly spray both sides with cooking spray before air frying.
How to Make Air Fryer Hash Brown Patties?
It's practically effortless and takes just a few steps. Start by preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celsius).
Step 1: Add the patties. Spread the frozen hash brown patties in a single layer with a little space between each one. Don't stack or overlap them, or they won't cook evenly.
Step 2: Air fry and flip. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip the patties with a spatula, season with salt and pepper if you like, and cook for 4 more minutes. For extra crispy hash browns, keep going in 1-minute increments.
Serve right away while they're hot and crispy!
How Long to Air Fry Hash Brown Patties
Regular frozen hash brown patties take 9 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celsius): 5 minutes, a flip, then 4 more. Thinner patties may be done a minute sooner, and thick ones can take 10 to 12 minutes. Every air fryer runs a little differently, so check them the first time and add time in 1-minute increments until they're as golden as you like.
Toni's Recipe Tips
- Preheat first: A hot air fryer gives you evenly cooked, crispy patties.
- Don't overcrowd the basket: The hot air needs room to circulate. Cook in batches if needed, then return them all to the air fryer for a minute or two to rewarm before serving.
- Basket or oven-style air fryer: Both work. In a basket air fryer, flip them halfway. Flipping is optional in a toaster-oven style air fryer, since the heat reaches both sides more evenly, but it gives the most even color.
- Cooking time can vary: Thickness and your air fryer model both play a part, so keep an eye on your first batch.
- Skip metal utensils: Use a silicone or plastic spatula to protect the nonstick coating.
- Serve immediately: They're crispiest straight out of the air fryer.
FAQs
9 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celsius): 5 minutes, flip, then 4 more. Thinner patties may be done a minute sooner and thicker ones may need 10 to 12 minutes, so check them and add time in 1-minute increments until they're as crispy as you like.
No. Cook them straight from frozen for the crispiest, easiest results.
Most frozen hash brown patties are, but a few brands add dairy or egg, so check the ingredients before you buy.
No. Frozen patties are par-cooked with a little oil already. For extra crunch, give both sides a light spray of cooking spray.
I don't recommend it. Stacked patties steam instead of crisp and can fall apart. Cook them in a single layer, in batches if needed.
In a basket air fryer, yes, flip them halfway for even browning on both sides. Flipping is optional in a toaster-oven style air fryer, but it gives the most even color.
You can air fry frozen shredded hash browns, but they need a different method and time, so this recipe is written for patties.
Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, then reheat in the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes to bring back the crunch.
Storing and Reheating
Air fryer hash brown patties are best fresh. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, then reheat them in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celsius) for 2 to 3 minutes to bring back the crunch.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Hash Brown Patties
For a weekday breakfast, pair them with the best tofu scramble. For a holiday brunch, set them out with easy vegan pumpkin pancakes, vegan Just Egg French toast and a pan of pumpkin cinnamon rolls. They're also a fun side for dinner with a veggie burger, or loaded up like tater tot nachos. For a from-scratch potato side, try my crispy vegan latkes.
If you try these air fryer hash brown patties, I'd love to hear how they turned out in the comments below. And if you have a minute, a star rating on the recipe card helps other readers find it too!
More Vegan Breakfast Recipes
Air Fryer Hash Brown Patties
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Video
Equipment
- Silicone Spatula
Ingredients
- 4 frozen hash brown patties
- salt and pepper to taste (optional)
- ketchup for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celsius).
- Spread the frozen hash brown patties in a single layer with a little space between them.
- Air fry for 5 minutes. Flip the patties with a spatula, season with salt and pepper if using, and air fry for 4 more minutes until golden and crispy.
- For crispier hash browns, keep cooking in 1-minute increments until they reach your favorite texture.
- Serve right away with ketchup, if using.
Notes
- Don't skip preheating, so the patties cook evenly.
- Don't overcrowd the basket. The hot air needs room to circulate, so cook in batches if needed.
- Cook time depends on how thick your patties are and your air fryer. Thinner patties may be done a minute sooner and thicker ones may need 10 to 12 minutes.
- Flipping is optional in a toaster-oven style air fryer, but it gives the most even color.
- For extra crunch, lightly spray both sides of the patties with cooking spray before air frying.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Nutrition is an estimate for 1 store-bought frozen patty without the optional oil spray, salt or ketchup. Sodium varies a lot by brand, so check your package label.
Andrea says
The texture is spot on. So crisp!
Jess says
I would love this
Andrea says
Let us know what you think if you try it out 🙂
Amanda says
I LOVE hash browns! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Andrea says
It's a goodie!
Tina says
I love hashbrowns, and can't wait to make them in the air fryer!
Andrea says
They come out SO crispy!
Gina H. says
All I can say is - pure potato pleasure! This crisp and savory treat is a must for weekend brunch. Yum!
Andrea says
Yessss! So crispy and tasty!
Jacqui says
Easy and simple instructions!
Andrea says
Love the simple ones too!
Anaiah says
Hash browns in the air fryer make breakfast a breeze! So delicious to just snack on too. I love how crisp it gets.
Andrea says
Right?! So easy and satisfying to accompany any breakfast!
Katie says
These hash brown patties were so delicious! I am totally obsessed with this recipe!
Andrea says
Right?! I'm in love!
Lucas says
Thanks for this recipe! I love hash brown patties and making in the Air Fryer is so handy to me.
Andrea says
It makes enjoying a hash brown that much better!
nancy says
yes!! 10 minutes is all the time i have in the morning before getting hangry! 🙂
Andrea says
Right?! So quick and easy to whip up!
Janaye says
Omg looks so good! I have to try this!
Andrea says
Yessss! Nothing beats a hash brown!
Teodora says
Yum, this recipe is perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Andrea says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Michelle says
Okay there is nobody on the planet who wont love these!!
Andrea says
Right?! They're always a big hit!
Meredith says
Just curious - Which brand of hash brown patties did you use? Every brand I find has a much higher sodium level than you’ve indicated, and that is prior to seasoning to taste. I’ve had to stop eating them on my low-sodium diet.
Toni Okamoto says
Thank you for catching this! I usually use Walmart's Great Value hash brown patties or the ones from Trader Joe's. Sodium really varies by brand, and the sodium in my recipe card was too low, so I've recalculated it. The label on your package will be the most accurate, and leaving off the added salt helps too.
Renee says
Thank you, I could not eat these before because all the grease my husband had to use and likes to use🤢
These are GREAT and came out crispy
Andrea says
That's so awesome! The air fryer is so great for reducing oil! 🙂
john says
Arent the instructions for frozen patties on the box? How is this a "recipe"?
Toni Okamoto says
Fair point! Many boxes only list oven or skillet directions, so this is here for anyone who wants the air fryer time and temperature, plus tips for getting them extra crispy without oil. Thanks for stopping by!
BillinStL says
Just curious why your photos show the basket from a toaster oven air fryer but your video is using a traditional air fryer? I think the cooking method would be somewhat different. With a toaster oven air fryer (which I have) I'm not sure you would have to flip them since I think they would get even cooking on both sides because the convection heat hits both sides more evenly. I will try that soon and report back.
Toni Okamoto says
Great question! My photographer uses an oven-style air fryer for the photos, and I use my basket air fryer in the video, and the method works in both. In an oven-style air fryer the heat reaches both sides more evenly, so flipping is less important, but I still like to flip for even color. I'd love to hear how yours turn out!