• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Very Veganish
  • HOME
  • RECIPES
    • Plant Based
    • Oil-Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Quick and Easy
    • Comfort Food
    • Tacos
    • Pasta and Noodles
    • Breakfast
    • Kid Friendly
    • Salads
  • CUISINE
    • TexMex
    • Italian
    • Southern
    • Asian
    • Caribbean
    • Indian
  • ABOUT
    • Cooking Classes
    • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Quick & Easy
  • Sauces
  • Comfort Food
  • Recipe Index
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Quick & Easy
    • Sauces
    • Comfort Food
    • Recipe Index
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Healthy Hash Browns (low-calorie, oil-free breakfast)

    Published: Feb 27, 2021 · Modified: Jul 29, 2022 by Abi Cowell · As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases · See my privacy policy linked in footer · This blog uses cookies

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    You can make crunchy homemade hash browns using frozen shredded potatoes without oil on the stove or in the air fryer! This healthy potato recipe is delicious on its own for a low-calorie, easy weekday breakfast or as a weekend plant-based brunch side.

    finished meal in bowl

    Crispy hash browns have been a favorite breakfast of mine since I was a kid. This lower-calorie hashbrown recipe requires simple ingredients and is wfpb (whole food plant-based), oil-free, gluten-free, and vegan.

    We ate a lot of these for the 10 days we ate potatoes only as a family. It's an easy and filling meal if you're trying to limit fried foods, eating according to the starch solution, or doing a potato reset or potato diet.

    Jump to:
    • 🧄 Ingredient notes
    • 📋 Substitutions and variations
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • Four ways to make healthy hash browns without oil
    • ⭐️ Expert tips
    • 🍳 Equipment
    • 🥡 Make ahead and storage tips
    • 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Serving suggestions
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 🚦 Calorie density score
    • 🗺 Cultural influences
    • 💜 More recipes you'll love
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Watch 3 Secrets of Crispy Hash Browns without Oil web story.

    🧄 Ingredient notes

    Basic ingredients to make hash browns: frozen shredded potatoes and sea salt, both in white bowls, with the package on the side.
    • Frozen shredded potatoes - This healthy potato recipe has just 1 ingredient, if you don't count the salt! You only need frozen shredded potatoes. Super simple, right? Frozen shredded potatoes (aka hash browns) are fat-free and are found in the freezer section of your grocery store. They are loose, not packed into bricks. Be sure to check the ingredients to make sure they do not contain oil. Also, some brands may be slightly thicker strips than others. For example, here in Texas, the frozen shredded potatoes from Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, HEB, and Restaurant Depot are thin and cook fairly quickly. The hash brown potatoes from Aldi are thicker, almost like matchstick potato fries. They take a little longer to cook.
    Package of Frozen Shredded Potato Hash Browns from Trader Joe's
    Nutrition Facts and Ingredient Label for frozen shredded potatoes from Trader Joe's

    📋 Substitutions and variations

    Here are some suitable substitutions for the ingredients in this recipe:

    • Frozen shredded potatoes - instead of frozen, you could use fresh shredded potatoes for this recipe. If you use fresh grated potatoes, be sure to soak them in cold water for about 15 minutes first to remove some of the starch. Then, drain them completely and dry them very well before cooking them.
    • Sea salt - Instead of just salt, get creative and season your breakfast potatoes with whatever seasoning you like. Some delicious options include garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, cajun salt, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, dried parsley, smoked paprika, and sweet paprika.
    • SOS-free - make this SOS-free by omitting the salt and seasoning the hash browns with salt-free seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, or Mrs. Dash.

    Switch things up with these variation ideas!

    • Spicy - Use cajun salt, like Tony Chachere's, which contains cayenne red pepper, instead of sea salt.
    • Sauce it up - think of your cooked hash browns as a blank canvas for your favorite condiment. Drizzle one of these on top: ketchup, BBQ sauce, salsa (picante sauce, pico de gallo, green salsa, any kind), sriracha, Cholula hot sauce, mango chutney, mustard

    🔪 Instructions

    Step-by-step instructions for how to make oil-free, low-calorie hash browns from frozen potatoes in a non-stick skillet on the stove and in the air fryer.

    Non-stick skillet on stovetop process:

    frozen hash browns in pan

    Step 1: Preheat a 10-12 inch truly non-stick skillet over medium heat for 30-60 seconds. Add frozen shredded potatoes to the skillet and spread them out evenly across the bottom of the pan. Season lightly with salt or preferred seasoning, if desired. Cook hash browns for 7 minutes, so they form a nice crust and are golden brown. Do not attempt to stir or flip them in the first 7 minutes.

    potatoes in pan

    Step 2: After the 7 minutes, flip the hash browns in sections with a spatula and cook the other side for another 5-7 minutes, checking for doneness after the first 5 minutes and possibly reducing heat, if necessary. Serve immediately with your favorite condiment.

    Air Fryer process:

    uncooked frozen potatoes

    Step 1: Add frozen shredded potatoes to your non-stick air fryer basket (use parchment paper to line your air fryer basket if it's not totally non-stick or the holes are too big and the potatoes fall through). Set your air fryer to 400 degrees F for 10 minutes.

    cooked potatoes

    Step 2: Check your hash browns and see if they need more time or need to be flipped. If you're using parchment paper, they may need to be flipped. Air fry for another 3-5 minutes, if necessary to get them as crispy as you like. Serve immediately with your favorite condiment.

    Four ways to make healthy hash browns without oil

    There are several methods to cook hash browns without oil. I'll list the ones I've tried, in order of what's worked best for me.

    #1 - Air fryer

    This was my preferred method of cooking oil-free hash browns when I had a pod non-stick air fryer because it was almost completely hands-off, so I could spend my time doing other things while my breakfast cooked.

    In my pod-style air fryer, I could cook half a bag of frozen shredded potatoes at a time, which yielded 1-2 servings.

    I now have a Ninja Foodi Air Fryer, which has a metal mesh basket. This works well for many things, but to make hash browns, I have to line it with parchment paper, so they don't fall through the mesh. The parchment paper prevents them from getting super crunchy like they did in the other air fryer.

    Time: 15 minutes

    Hands-off preparation

    #2 - Non-stick skillet on stovetop

    Before I had an air fryer, this was my preferred method. Your skillet has to be truly non-stick for this to work and not end up with steamed potatoes and a pan to scrub.

    The key to successfully making hash browns on the stove is: stop stirring them! Leave them alone long enough to form a crunchy crust. This crust accomplishes two things: 1) it prevents them from sticking to the pan and 2) it's delicious!

    If you don't have a truly non-stick skillet, then you will need to use a thin layer of vegetable oil or non-stick spray oil to cook your hash browns.

    Time: 15 minutes

    Hands-on preparation

    #3 - Bake in oven

    If we have a lot of hash browns to make, we sometimes put them in the oven and spread them out on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake at 425 F until crispy on the edges and top. Flip as needed.

    Time: 30-40 minutes

    Mostly hands-off preparation, except for flipping

    #4 - Waffle iron

    I did this a few times and it did give me crispy hash browns in a waffle shape, but my waffle iron is not truly non-stick and I had to use a little oil to prevent it from sticking. I have heard rave reviews about this method from folks with truly non-stick waffle irons or George Foreman grills.

    Another key to this method is to leave the hash browns to cook until a crust has formed, so they don't stick. It takes a good 10-15 minutes (much longer than you would cook a waffle).

    Time: 15 minutes

    Hands-off preparation

    For this recipe, I'll give you instructions for the air fryer and Non-stick skillet methods, because those are the simplest, most efficient methods for making oil-free hash browns.

    🧯 Food safety

    • Wash hands with soap and water before cooking
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    ⭐️ Expert tips

    • Be patient. Don't stir them before they've had a chance to brown and form a crust.
    • Try to find the thinner frozen shredded potatoes and then stock up on them. They are much nicer than the thicker shredded potatoes.

    🍳 Equipment

    • Non-stick skillet - cooking potatoes without oil is a true test for your non-stick skillet. The starch will cause frustration if you're trying to use an old, worn-out pan that's lost its functionality. Use a truly non-stick pan for this recipe, if you plan to make it on the stove. I currently use Henckels Granitium pans.
    • Pod air fryer - The best style of air fryer for making hash browns is the upright pod-style air fryer that has a small non-stick basket that comes out like a drawer, similar to this Ninja Air Fryer.
    • Wide spatula - for flipping the hash browns in large sections

    🥡 Make ahead and storage tips

    Cooked hash browns are not really good if they are made ahead or stored for leftovers. They lose their crunchiness and become dry.

    If you must store leftover hash browns, then I would suggest adding a sauce to them when they are reheated. Or, mix them into a tofu scramble for the next day's breakfast.

    👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Serving suggestions

    What do hash browns go with?

    Serve these healthy oil-free hash browns as a meal by themselves drizzled with ketchup or BBQ sauce. This is how I ate them while doing the potato diet.

    They are also delicious served with tofu scramble, green onions, and toast. Or, with sautéed vegetables, like spinach, tomato, mushrooms, asparagus, or corn.

    One way to make this healthy potato dish even healthier is by adding leafy greens or vegetables. Make this a "50/50 plate" by adding 50% starch (the hash browns) and 50% non-starchy vegetables (like sauteed spinach and tomato).

    Crispy hash browns also make a great side to whatever delicious vegan weekend brunch you have going on. Who doesn't love crispy potatoes?

    Seasonings

    How should I season hash browns? Try one of these spices:

    • sea salt and black pepper
    • seasoned salt
    • garlic salt (my current fav)
    • Trader Joe's vegan no-chicken seasoning
    • paprika
    • smoked paprika
    • garlic powder
    • onion powder
    • turmeric and black pepper (this will turn them yellow!)
    • cajun salt

    Condiments

    As far as condiments, I recommend trying:

    • ketchup
    • BBQ sauce
    • salsa (picante sauce, pico de gallo, green salsa, any kind)
    • sriracha
    • Cholula hot sauce
    • mango chutney
    • mustard

    ❓ FAQ

    My hash browns are sticking! What do I do?

    You need to leave the hash browns to cook without moving them, for at least 7 minutes in the non-stick pan, so they form a crust. Once they've formed a crust, they will move freely. The other issue may be that your pan is not truly non-stick. Is it old? Has the non-stick coating or material worn off? It may be time for a new pan.

    🚦 Calorie density score

    🟢 This recipe gets a green light on the calorie density chart. All of the ingredients are lower than 600 calories per pound, so eating meals like this regularly may help you lose body fat. Learn more about calorie density from Jeff Novick, MS, RDN.

    Get your own printable calorie density chart for your refrigerator and free ebook explaining calorie density in simple terms.

    🗺 Cultural influences

    Traditionally, hash browns are served at breakfast, alongside eggs, toast, pancakes, bacon, and breakfast sausage in Texas. Hashbrowns are typically prepared by frying shredded potatoes on a flat griddle with plenty of oil. They are then salted and served.

    Sometimes they are served with sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream and turkey bacon as options.

    The word can be spelled as one word (hashbrowns) or as two words (hash browns) as both are considered correct and acceptable.

    This recipe is inspired by my mixed ethnic background and heritage as a native of Houston, Texas, and by the strong cultural influences of the Southern United States. See About for more information on my cultural influences and how I attribute recipes.

    💜 More recipes you'll love

    If you love this healthy hash brown recipe, check out these other delicious breakfast plant-based recipes!

    • glass baking dish with baked banana oat bars topped with chocolate chips, dried cranberries and pepitas
      Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cranberry Bars with Chocolate Chips and Pepitas
    • closeup of a square cut banana oat bar with chocolate chips and chopped pecans
      Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars with Pecans (vegan)
    • tostada with refried beans, sliced avocado, tofu scramble, crema and cilantro on a wooden board
      Vegan Breakfast Tostadas with Tofu Scramble, Avocado and Beans
    • white plate full of papas a la mexicana (spicy Mexican-style breakfast potatoes) with two corn tortillas on the side
      Papas a la Mexicana (oil-free Mexican-style breakfast potatoes)

    Love this recipe? Please rate it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below in the recipe card. And, if you make it, please tag me on Instagram or Facebook in your posted photos! I would love to see your creations. 😄

    📖 Recipe

    finished meal in bowl

    Healthy Hash Browns (low-calorie, oil-free breakfast)

    Abi Cowell
    You can make crunchy homemade hash browns using frozen shredded potatoes without oil on the stove or in the air fryer! This healthy potato recipe is delicious on its own for a low-calorie, easy weekday breakfast or as a weekend plant-based brunch side.
    4.67 from 9 votes
    Estimated Cost: $2
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 139 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer I use the Ninja Foodi
    • Non-stick skillet
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 12 ounces frozen shredded potatoes 325 grams
    • sea salt optional

    Instructions
     

    Stovetop Instructions

    • Preheat a 10-12 inch truly non-stick skillet over medium heat for 30-60 seconds.
    • Add frozen shredded potatoes to skillet and spread them out evenly across the bottom of the pan. Season lightly with salt or preferred seasoning, if desired.
    • Cook hash browns for 7 minutes, so they form a nice crust. Do not attempt to stir or flip them in the first 7 minutes.
    • After the 7 minutes, flip the hash browns in sections with a spatula and cook the other side for another 5-7 minutes, checking for doneness after the first 5 minutes and possibly reducing heat, if necessary.
    • Serve immediately with your favorite condiment (ideas in the notes!)

    Air Fryer Instructions

    • Add frozen shredded potatoes to your non-stick air fryer basket (use parchment paper to line your air fryer basket if it's not totally non-stick or the holes are too big and the potatoes fall through).
    • Set your air fryer to 400 degrees F for 10 minutes.
    • Check your hash browns and see if they need more time or need to be flipped. If you're using parchment paper, they may need to be flipped.
    • Air fry for another 3-5 minutes, if necessary to get them as crispy as you like.
    • Serve immediately with your favorite condiment (ideas in the notes!)

    Video

    Notes

    Seasoning Options:
    • salt and pepper
    • garlic salt
    • seasoned salt
    • garlic powder
    • onion powder
    • Trader Joe's vegan no-chicken seasoning
    Condiment Options:
    • ketchup
    • BBQ sauce
    • spicy ketchup
    • sriracha
    • salsa
    • mustard
    This recipe serves 2 as a side or 1 large, filling portion.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1portionCalories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 37mgPotassium: 485mgFiber: 2gVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword healthy air fryer hash browns without oil, healthy hash browns
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Vegan, Plant-based Breakfast Recipes

    • mason jar with blueberry flavored oats and fresh blueberries on top
      Blueberry Overnight Oats with Jam
    • blackberry jam overnight oats with fresh blackberries on top in a mason jar
      Blackberry Overnight Oats with Jam
    • mason jar with cherry flavored overnight oats and fresh pitted halved cherries on top, with three cherries on the counter beside the jar
      Cherry Overnight Oats with Jam
    • glass with overnight oats and chocolate chips
      Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats (vegan)

    About Abi Cowell

    Hey y'all! I’m the plant-based food blogger, recipe developer, photographer and cooking class instructor behind Very Veganish. Join me as we explore and taste incredible plant-based food, with cultural influences from around the world. You’ll find healthy comfort food vegan recipes and inspiration here. When I'm not cooking, you'll find me homeschooling my two boys, volunteering and trying to survive the Texas summers with copious glasses of iced tea.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Matthew Israel says

      August 07, 2021 at 1:27 pm

      I have tried two of your recipes so far--the cheese sauce which I had with elbow pasta, and the stewed tomato, garlic and onion spinach, which I had over rice. Liked them both, and both helped me control my weight. I am looking forward to more of you half and half suggestions.

      Reply
      • Abi Cowell says

        August 18, 2021 at 4:53 pm

        Awesome! I'm so glad you liked those 50/50 plate recipes. I'm working on presenting more of those 50/50 plate recipes for weight loss on my blog and in the emails. Thanks so much for your feedback.

        Reply
    2. Teddi Kalmbach says

      February 01, 2022 at 7:03 pm

      5 stars
      New to the air fryer and oil free cooking

      Reply
    3. Pam says

      January 10, 2023 at 4:09 pm

      4 stars
      Worked like a charm on the stove top in a nonstick pan but only gave it 4 stars, because let's face it; it's not as good as with a bit of oil/butter. That being said. I am thrilled

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Abi Cowell smiling in her kitchen

    Hi! I'm Abi, mom of two hungry boys, caregiver, plant-based food blogger and cooking instructor from Houston, Texas. I help busy women create simple & healthy vegan meals in under 30 minutes so they spend less time in the kitchen cooking and cleaning. Join me as we make quick & easy vegan comfort food you and your family will love (no matter how they eat).

    More about me →

    Trending

    • pot of yukon golds
      Instant Pot Steamed Potatoes
    • baked banana oat cookies on parchment paper
      3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies (no egg, no flour)
    • finished meal in bowl
      Healthy Hash Browns (low-calorie, oil-free breakfast)
    • stack of baked tostadas on sheet pan
      How to Make Homemade Tostada Shells (air fryer or oven baked without oil)
    • cooked spinach in metal pan with tongs
      How to Cook Sautéed Spinach with Onion and Tomato
    • spreader in jar of vegan mayo
      Vegan Miracle Whip Substitute (fat-free, egg-free mayo)
    • two glasses with straws
      How to Make Perfect Iced Tea
    • closeup of pasta with fork
      Vegan Mac and Cheese (without cashews)

    Fall Recipes

    • closeup of bite of crustless mini pumpkin pie
      Crustless Pumpkin Pie Ramekins with Leftover Filling (vegan)
    • closeup
      Roasted Curried Cauliflower (oil-free, vegan)
    • fluffy baked murasaki sweet potato on plate
      Perfect Baked Murasaki Sweet Potatoes (Korean Yam, Satsumaimo, Red Kumara)
    • pumpkin pie oatmeal in baking dish
      Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal (no egg, vegan)
    • slice of pie with whipped cream on top
      Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie with Silken Tofu
    • salad bowl of kale salad with spoons for tossing
      Kale Chopped Salad with Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing (vegan, oil-free)
    • holding a mini pumpkin pie with a bite taken out
      Mini Vegan Pumpkin Pies - Single Serving Pumpkin Tarts
    • pouring syrup
      Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Watch 3 Secrets of Crispy Hash Browns without Oil Web Story
    • Disclosure Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    Buy me a tea

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

    pinterest image