Air Fryer Cheesy Hash Brown Patties

These air fryer cheesy hash brown patties are one of the easiest things you can make for breakfast or a quick snack. Crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside – and ready in under 15 minutes.

The recipe is really simple. You just mix together a few basic ingredients, shape them into patties, and let the air fryer do the work.

What I love about these is that they come out so much crispier in the air fryer compared to a regular oven. You get that golden, crunchy edge without deep frying anything.

They’re great on their own, but you can also serve them alongside eggs, bacon, or pretty much any breakfast you like. Kids love them too.

If you’ve been looking for a quick and satisfying way to use up frozen hash browns, this is it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The Air Fryer Makes Them Extra Crispy – These patties get seriously crispy in the air fryer thanks to the hot circulating air and just a light drizzle of olive oil. You get that deep-fried crunch with way less oil, which is exactly why recipes like this are perfect for the air fryer.

Perfect for Breakfast or Brunch – These cheesy hash brown patties are an awesome side dish for eggs, bacon, or sausage on a lazy weekend morning. They’re also great for meal prepping your breakfasts for the week since they reheat beautifully in the air fryer.

Way Better Than Store-Bought Frozen Patties – Once you try making your own cheesy hash brown patties at home, you won’t want to go back to the pre-made frozen ones from the store. These taste fresher, cheesier, and you actually know exactly what’s in them.

Uses Frozen Hash Browns for Easy Prep – You don’t need to peel, boil, or shred any potatoes because this recipe starts with frozen shredded hash browns. It’s a smart shortcut that saves you a ton of time without sacrificing any flavor or texture.

Ingredients

• 2 cups Frozen Shredded Hash Browns
• 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1 large Egg
• 1 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil

How to Make

Step 1

Thaw the frozen shredded hash browns completely and squeeze out any excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel.

Step 2

In a bowl, mix the dried hash browns, shredded cheddar cheese, egg, all-purpose flour, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Form the mixture into 4 oval-shaped patties, pressing firmly so they hold together.

Step 4

Lightly brush both sides of the patties with olive oil and place them in the air fryer basket.

Step 5

Cook at 380F for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping carefully halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.

Tips

Squeeze Out as Much Moisture as You Can

This is the most important step in the whole recipe. If you skip it or do it halfway, your patties will be soggy and they won’t crisp up no matter how long you cook them.

After the hash browns are fully thawed, put them in a clean kitchen towel, wrap it up, and twist and squeeze over the sink. You’ll be surprised how much water comes out.

Keep squeezing until barely any liquid drips out. The drier the hash browns, the crispier your patties will be in the air fryer.

Thaw the Hash Browns the Right Way

The best way to thaw them is to move the hash browns from the freezer to the fridge the night before. This gives them time to thaw evenly without getting mushy or watery on the outside while still frozen in the middle.

If you forgot to do that, spread them out on a plate and let them sit at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes. Don’t microwave them to speed things up because they start to cook unevenly and get too soft to work with.

Press the Patties Firmly

When you’re shaping the patties, really press them together with both hands. The mixture doesn’t have a ton of binding ingredients, so if you’re gentle with it, the patties will fall apart when you flip them in the air fryer.

Pack each patty tight like you’re making a snowball, then flatten it into an oval shape. If you notice the edges cracking, just press them back together with your fingers.

Making them about half an inch thick works well. If they’re too thin they dry out, and if they’re too thick the center won’t cook through properly.

Related Recipes

• Air Fryer Crispy Breakfast Potatoes with Peppers
• Air Fryer Crispy Smashed Potatoes
• Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
• Air Fryer Breakfast Egg Rolls
• Air Fryer Mac & Cheese Bites

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to thaw the frozen hash browns before mixing?

Yes, you should thaw the hash browns first. If you mix them while still frozen, the ice crystals will melt during cooking and make your patties soggy and hard to hold together.

The easiest way to thaw them is to leave them in the fridge overnight or spread them on a plate and microwave for a minute or two. Once thawed, squeeze out as much moisture as you can with a clean towel – this is the key to getting crispy patties.