How to Clean an Air Fryer

If you’re one to shout from the rooftops how your life changed forever with your air fryer, you’re not alone. We love this thing just as much as we love mozzarella sticks (and that says a lot)! This game-changing small appliance make it easy to dish up delicious appetizers and meals, and to reheat leftovers, but it’s important to keep it clean in order for it to work safely and as expected.

Crumbs, oils and bits of food left in the base and the basket can cause smoke or become a fire hazard, but most of all, a dirty appliance can easily transmit burned flavors and smells into your food and your home. Fortunately, they’re extremely easy to clean.

The Easiest Way to Clean an Air Fryer

Follow these simple tips to maintain an air fryer so your food is cooked to perfection.

1. Unplug and Cool Your Air Fryer. If you just used your air fryer, let it cool down completely before attempting to clean it. Remove the tray, basket and pan from the appliance and set them to the side. These items can be washed easily in the sink (and most manufacturers even clear them for the dishwasher), but you should never place the appliance itself in the sink or submerge it in water. Submerging it in water would cause permanent damage and electrical failure.

FYI: You should always store your air fryer upright and unplugged when not in use, just in case you forget to turn it off after cooking.

2. Clean the Air Fryer Basket and Parts in the Sink. Warm water and dish soap easily clean away crumbs and break down residual oil on these components. Use non-abrasive brushes and sponges to wash each piece, and dry them by hand with a microfiber towel.

If you chose to run your parts through the dishwasher, you may also want to hand dry them with a cloth when they’re done, or allow them to fully air dry after the cycle.

3. Clean the Exterior of the Air Fryer. The exterior components of the appliance don’t need to be cleaned every time you use it, but they are susceptible to crumbs and oils and often benefit from a wipe down with a damp cloth.

The heating element can also collect splashes of oil and should be checked to reduce the chance of burning smells while cooking. It can also be wiped down with a damp cloth.

As with the basket and other parts, avoid abrasive scrubbing and instead opt for a soft-bristled brush if you need to loosen any baked-on foods.

4. Reassemble the Air Fryer. Once all elements are dry, you can reassemble the appliance. Store it unplugged and upright between uses. (Alternatively, go make some fresh fries.)

How to Clean Baked-On Food and Grease From an Air Fryer

If any food is baked onto your air fryer basket, allow it to soak for a few minutes in hot, soapy water, then scrub with a non-abrasive sponge or brush. The smell of fried foods can be fierce, so soaking with a scented dish soap also helps to cut down on lingering odors. For particularly stuck-on grease, try adding a tablespoon or two of baking soda to the air fryer basket and just enough water to make a paste. Scrub the basket with a sponge or brush, then rinse and dry.