Instead of getting up early and waiting through the drive through line, what if I told you you could enjoy one of your favorite parts of fast food breakfast at home? Just make some Trader Joe’s frozen hash browns in the air fryer for that same shredded hash brown patty you love.
Why Make Trader Joe’s Frozen Hash Browns in the Air Fryer
Trader Joe’s frozen hash brown patties are the perfect food to cook in your air fryer! They get a crispy golden brown exterior, with soft, cooked potato shreds on the inside. They use far less oil than deep frying, so they’re a healthier breakfast option over the fast food joint!
Aside from needing less napkins, you’ll be delighted to know you don’t even need to leave the house. Just grab some on your next grocery store run, pop them in the freezer, and when you’re in the mood, just grab a hash brown out.
TJ’s hash brown patties cook up in just 10-15 minutes depending on the crispiness desired, and you can air fry them directly from frozen – no defrosting required!
If potato patties sound a little boring, change things up and season them any way you like. From simple salt and pepper to barbecue and other seasonings, you can enjoy a variety of delicious hash browns!
Katie’s tip
If you’re interested in making an all-in-one breakfast combo, then try out my Air Fryer Hash Browns and Eggs recipe!
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Ingredients Needed For Trader Joe’s Hash Browns in the Air Fryer
- Frozen hash brown patties (such as Trader Joe’s)
- Nonstick or oil spray (optional)
- Additional seasonings if desired (optional)
Ingredient Notes and Tips
- While I have Trader Joe’s brand frozen hash browns here, this recipe also works with pretty much any brand of frozen hash brown patties. I’ve also used Great Value (WalMart), Ore Ida, Season’s Choice (Aldi), Cavendish, and Market Pantry (Target) with equal success
- If you want to add some seasoning, start with about ¼ tsp per patty (meaning about ⅛ tsp per side); you can always add more to taste
- Some seasonings I’ve used are: seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic or onion powder, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic and herb seasoning, french fry seasoning, and Za’atar. Choose your favorites or adjust based on whatever you’re serving them with to complement the flavors!
How to Air Fry Frozen Hash Brown Patties
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
- Place frozen hash browns into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
- Spritz the hash brown patties lightly with an olive oil mist (optional, but gives a crunchier crust)
- If desired, sprinkle seasoning over top of hash brown patties
- Cook on air fry setting for 10 minutes at 400°F, pausing halfway through to flip the patties, applying additional oil and/or seasoning if desired. Patties should be 160°F in the middle when completely cooked
- If they are not as brown as you’d like, add additional time in 1-2 minute increments
- Serve with your favorite sides!
What to Eat With Hash Browns
- Eggs (any style)
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Ham
- Turkey
- Cheese
- Quiche
- Burritos
- Meatloaf
- Nacho toppings
- Avocado
- Ketchup
- Parsley
- Fresh fruit
Hash browns are great served in or with a lot of other foods, for breakfast, brunch, snacks, or even dinner. Don’t forget a hot cup of coffee or a cool glass of orange juice to complete your meal!
Try these air fryer hash brown patties with Frozen Sausage Patties in the Air Fryer, tasty Air Fryer Ham Steak, in or alongside Air Fryer Quiche With Crust, or with a side of crispy Turkey Bacon in the Air Fryer.
Recipe FAQs
Can I Make Trader Joe’s Hash Browns in My Air Fryer?
Yes, you can make delicious Trader Joe’s hashbrowns and many other brands of hash browns in your air fryer.
No defrosting is required. Simply place the frozen hash browns into your air fryer. Once cooked, they’ll come out browned, crisp, and heated through.
How Long Do You Put Frozen Hash Browns in the Air Fryer?
On average, you put frozen hash browns in the air fryer for between 10-15 minutes, depending on the level of browning and crispness desired.
Depending on the thickness of your hash browns and your specific air fryer, this time range may vary slightly.
How Do You Cook Trader Joe’s Frozen Hash Browns?
Trader Joe’s frozen hash browns may be cooked in a traditional oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, fried in oil on the stovetop for about 10 minutes, or air fried at 400°F for 10-15 minutes.
The air fryer and stove will give you crispier exteriors versus the oven method. The air fryer method requires less oil and tending.
What Temperature Do You Air Fry Frozen Hash Browns?
Frozen hash browns are best air fried at a temperature of 400°F. This temperature delivers a crunchy outer crust while cooking the potato inside.
If you prefer a less crunchy exterior, drop the temperature to 375°F or the closest equivalent setting on your air fryer, and increase cooking time by 4-5 minutes.
Can You Cook Trader Joe’s Hash Browns Without Oil?
Yes, you can cook Trader Joe’s hash browns without additional oil or cooking spray since they already contain some oil. However, adding a light spray of oil can enhance their crispiness.
What Are Some Creative Ways to Serve Trader Joe’s Hash Browns?
Trader Joe’s hash browns can be served in various ways, such as in a breakfast burrito or hash brown casserole.
Alternatively, make them into loaded hash browns with toppings like bacon and cheese, or press them into a waffle iron to make hash brown waffles.
What Are Some Tips for Getting Crispy Hash Browns in the Air Fryer?
To achieve extra crispy hash browns, lightly brush or spray them with oil, flip them halfway through cooking, and avoid overcrowding the basket.
Every air fryer can vary, so treat this recipe as a guideline, and adjust cooking time as needed based on your specific air fryer model.
Recipe Pro Tips For Air Frying TJ’s Hash Brown Patties
- I highly recommend a spatula for flipping the hash browns as it makes life much easier. A fork works, but has a tendency to split the patties at times
- My desired browning level is achieved after about 12 minutes total in a Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer. This is of course based on personal preference, and may vary with different air fryers
- The hash brown patties will soften slightly after sitting so make sure to enjoy them fresh out of the air fryer for best results
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. I do not recommend refreezing after cooking once, as the texture starts to deteriorate. Make sure to add the remaining frozen patties to freezer bags or wrap well otherwise so they don’t freezer burn
- To reheat hash brown patties in the air fryer, cook at a slightly lower temperature of 375°F for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway, until warmed through and re-crisped. This will work for any hash brown patties (not just Trader Joe’s), including fast food! You can also microwave your patties to reheat them (for 45-60 seconds on high), but they will lose their crispiness that way
More Air Fryer Potato Recipes
Trader Joe’s Hash Brown Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Vegetable oil (canola or soybean)
- Salt
- Corn dextrose
- Citric acid (color additive)
Trader Joe’s frozen hash browns are considered vegetarian, but it’s also worth checking the labels when purchasing, as the recipe can change over time. Note that TJ’s does note that their hash browns contain soy, so avoid them if you have an allergy.
You’ll notice that these are very simple ingredients, which makes the patties great for building flavor on (they don’t have a ton of flavor on their own). Try garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika, chili crisp, salsa, hot sauce, and other tasty combinations!
Trader Joe’s Frozen Hashbrowns Review
I prepare my Trader Joe’s frozen hashbrown patties in my Ninja air fryer, and they come out hot and crispy in just about 10 minutes. I’ve also pan fried them, but I find the air fryer uses less oil overall to achieve the same level of crunch, and requires less tending so it’s preferable for me.
The patty itself is nice, with a good crisp on the outside and soft, tiny cubes of potatoes on the inside. There isn’t much flavor to the patties in and of themselves, aside from potato. They’re like what you’d expect from a tater tot, just in flattened form.
For me, the real appeal is using them as a base for, well, anything! I like to add them into breakfast burritos, tacos, and even crunchwraps to add fill and a nice crunchy layer, and they’re absolutely perfect for that.
On their own, I like to season my frozen TJ’s hashbrowns with Cajun seasoning and serve them up with sausages and eggs and they’re delicious!
Overall, I think it really depends on your expectations. If you know it’s just frozen potatoes and you season them or add other ingredients to create something with hashbrowns, then this TJ’s version is absolutely wonderful. Plus, for 10 patties for under $5, they’re a great deal for easy breakfasts.
If you’re expecting a punch of flavor from them, or you think you’re going to get a McDonald’s style super greasy salty patty straight out of the box, then I think you’ll be disappointed. But, if you think of ways to season them or create something else with your hashbrown base, the sky’s the limit!
Final Thoughts
Whether you have Trader Joe’s or another favorite brand, frozen hash brown patties in the air fryer are so easy to make. They cook up quickly, making them convenient even on busy mornings.
You’ll also use far less oil than any fast food joint, so it’s a healthier breakfast alternative that doesn’t require much time or effort! Though, not having to put on pants and go sit in the drive through is incentive enough.
Serve these crispy frozen patties in a burrito or Air Fryer Breakfast Crunchwrap, add a side of crispy bacon, sausage, or eggs, or dish them up with some of my other best air fryer recipes for breakfast.
They’re easy, kids love them, and whole family approved too, for a quick, easy, and delicious start to your day!
Air Fryer Frozen Trader Joe’s Hash Browns
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 frozen hash brown patty (such as Trader Joe's)
- nonstick or oil spray (optional)
- ¼ tsp seasoning of choice (per patty; optional; can adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Place frozen hash browns into preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, cooking in batches if needed1 frozen hash brown patty
- Spritz the hash brown patty lightly with an olive oil mist (optional, but gives a crunchier crust)nonstick or oil spray
- If desired, sprinkle ½ the seasoning over top of hash brown patties¼ tsp seasoning of choice
- Cook on air fry setting for 10 minutes at 400°F, pausing halfway through to flip the patties (use a spatula, as a fork can split them), applying additional oil and the other half the seasoning if desired. Patties should be 160°F in the middle when completely cooked
- If they are not as brown as you’d like, add additional time in 1-2 minute increments
- Serve immediately (they soften as they sit) with your favorite sides!
Notes
- While these are Trader Joe’s frozen hash browns here, this recipe works with pretty much any brand. I’ve also used Great Value (WalMart), Ore Ida, Season’s Choice (Aldi), Cavendish, and Market Pantry (Target) with equal success
- Seasoning recommendations include: seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic or onion powder, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic and herb seasoning, french fry seasoning, and Za’atar. Choose your favorites or adjust based on whatever you’re serving them with to complement the flavors!
- A serving size is 1 hash brown patty, but this recipe is easily doubled or more to make your desired quantity. I can fit 4 patties at a time in each basket of my Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer (though other brands will vary)
- My desired browning level is achieved after about 12 minutes total in a Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer. This is of course based on personal preference, and may vary with different air fryers, so adjust as needed for your preferences and appliance
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, added seasonings, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
