Can You Cook Hash Browns In A Toaster?

One of my all-time favorite breakfast foods is definitely the hash brown. I don’t discriminate on size or style as long as there are crispy potatoes in my life.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to add some hash browns to your meal is with the pre-formed frozen patties.

If you’ve ever looked at your hash brown and then looked at your toaster, you might be wondering whether you could save some time in the morning by popping it right in there and cooking it that way.

And you just might be on to something!

So, can you cook hash browns in a toaster? Yes, you can! You can put your frozen hash browns right into the toaster and cook them on the medium setting. Make sure you check them regularly to keep them from burning and flip them after a couple of minutes for even toasting.

Keep reading to learn more about whether you can cook hash browns in a toaster and how they compare to hash browns cooked in the oven, in a frying pan, or in an air fryer!

Can You Cook Hash Browns In A Toaster?

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to cook up some hash browns for breakfast, you might be wondering if you can pop them in the toaster.

The answer is a resounding yes! You can absolutely cook your hash browns in the toaster, just make sure you keep an eye on them as they cook (if you happen to be looking for a toaster, we’d recommend this one!).

You want to make sure you don’t burn your hash browns, so always toast them at medium heat and check them periodically to make sure the outside isn’t burning.

To prevent any oil or grease buildup, make sure you clean out the crumb tray after each use. You don’t want to create a fire hazard in your kitchen in the pursuit of a quick and easy breakfast!

How Does Cooking Hash Browns In A Toaster Compare To Other Cooking Methods?

When you cook your hash browns in the toaster they may not come out quite as crispy as hash browns that are cooked in the oven, an air fryer, or in a frying pan.

While you might miss out on a bit of the crisp factor, there are other considerations to keep in mind when making your choice.

They’re Faster To Cook

Cooking your hash browns in the toaster is going to take less time than any other method (except maybe the air fryer), which makes this method the perfect choice for hectic mornings.

There’s no need to preheat the oven, air fryer, or frying pan, just pop them straight into the toaster and away you go.

It’s Less Messy

Cooking your hash browns in the toaster is much less messy than the oven since you don’t have to dirty a baking sheet or use any parchment paper.

The same goes for cooking them in a frying pan; there’s no messing around with cooking oil and spatters and you don’t have to clean any dishes aside from your plate (cause we all know how annoying it is to clean a frying pan).

And even though I am obsessed with my air fryer, you will still have to clean the fryer basket or fryer rack after your hash brown is done.

The easy clean up is definitely something that makes cooking hash browns in the toaster incredibly appealing.

It Uses Less Energy

Preheating your oven or using the element on your stove top is probably going to use a lot more energy than running your toaster for a few minutes.

How To Cook Hash Browns In A Toaster

Using a toaster is a great way to cook your hash browns quickly from frozen without them falling apart or drying out. It’s super simple and doesn’t require preheating the stove or standing over a frying pan of oil for several minutes.

Follow these steps to perfectly cook your hash browns in the toaster from frozen.

1. Remove your hash browns from the freezer and take off any packaging.
2. Place the hash browns in the toaster on an angle, so they are easy to remove.
3. Set your toaster to its medium setting.
4. Push the hash browns down and let them cook. You will want to stand close to make sure they aren’t burning.
5. After the first round of toasting, VERY gently remove them from the toaster using tongs, and flip them over for even cooking.
6. Press them back down and let them toast on medium. Once they are browned to your liking, pop them up and enjoy!

Notes: To prevent any build-up of oil (which could be a fire hazard) in your toaster, make sure you clean the crumb tray after toasting your hash browns.

Be very careful when flipping your hash browns since you don’t want them to crumble apart when they are still raw.

How To Cook Hash Browns In An Air Fryer

Another super quick and easy way to cook hash browns is in an air fryer. This method is probably my favorite because it is completely hands off and takes almost no time at all to do.

Follow the instructions below for perfect air fryer hash browns.

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
2. Spray your hash browns with a little cooking oil and season with a little salt and pepper.
3. Place your hash browns in a single layer in your fryer basket or on the fryer rack.
4. Cook your hash browns for about 8-10 minutes or until golden and crispy. You might want to flip them halfway through for even crispiness.
5. Remove your hash browns from the air fryer and enjoy!

How To Cook Hash Browns In The Oven

This method is the best if you need to cook more than 2 hashbrowns at a time. Follow these instructions for crispy and delicous hash browns every time.

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread a little bit of cooking oil on the whole sheet.
3. Place your hash browns in a single layer on the baking sheet with about half an inch between each one so that the air can circulate between them.
4. Sprinkle them with a touch of salt and pepper.
5. Put them in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and crispy.

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