Your air fryer just cooked dinner. There’s grease in the basket and crumbs in the tray. You’re tired and tempted to deal with it tomorrow.
Don’t wait. Cleaning your air fryer right after use is easier and faster than cleaning baked-on grease the next day.
Here’s the quick method that takes less than 5 minutes.
Why You Should Clean After Every Use
Leftover grease and food particles cause problems:
Food contamination: Old grease and crumbs can harbor bacteria. When you cook your next meal, you risk cross-contamination.
Bad smells: Yesterday’s fish smell will transfer to today’s fries if you don’t clean between uses.
Harder cleaning later: Grease hardens as it cools. Waiting even a few hours makes scrubbing much harder. Food that wipes away easily when fresh becomes stuck-on gunk when left overnight.
Reduced performance: Buildup in the basket restricts airflow. Your air fryer won’t cook as well when residue blocks the vents and holes.
Fire risk: Excess grease buildup can smoke or even catch fire during cooking.
Cleaning after every use prevents all these issues. The good news: it’s fast when you do it right away.
Sources:
- How to Clean an Air Fryer (Easy Tips + What to Avoid!), Foodess, September 26, 2024, https://foodess.com/article/clean-air-fryer/
- Because you asked — this is how often to clean an air fryer, Real Homes, April 27, 2023, https://www.realhomes.com/advice/how-often-to-clean-air-fryer
The 5-Minute Quick Clean Method
This method works for daily maintenance after normal cooking. You’ll do this after every use.
Step 1: Unplug and Let It Cool (5-10 minutes)
Turn off your air fryer and unplug it from the wall. Let it cool for about 10 minutes. You want it cool enough to handle safely, but still slightly warm. Warm grease wipes away easier than cold grease.
Don’t wait hours. Clean while the unit is still warmish.
Step 2: Remove the Basket and Tray
Pull out the cooking basket and drip tray. Empty any food debris into the trash. Dump out crumbs and any excess oil that collected in the tray.
Step 3: Soak in Warm, Soapy Water
Fill your sink with hot water and add dish soap. Place the basket and tray in the soapy water. Let them soak for 2-3 minutes while you do the next step.
The warm water loosens grease and food particles. Soaking does most of the work for you.
Step 4: Wipe the Main Unit
While the basket soaks, grab a damp cloth or sponge. Wipe the inside of the air fryer where the basket sits. Pay attention to:
- The bottom of the cooking chamber
- The sides
- Around the rim where the basket sits
Don’t use too much water. A damp cloth is fine. Water should never get into the electrical components.
Wipe the exterior to remove any splatters or fingerprints.
Step 5: Wash the Basket and Tray
After soaking, use a soft sponge or cloth to wash the basket and tray. The soak should have loosened everything, so light scrubbing is all you need.
Use a soft sponge. Never use steel wool, metal scrubbers, or abrasive pads. These will scratch the nonstick coating. Once the coating is damaged, food will stick more and the basket will be harder to clean.
For stuck-on bits, use a soft-bristled brush or even an old toothbrush to gently work the food loose.
Step 6: Rinse and Dry
Rinse everything with clean water. Make sure all soap is gone. Soap residue can affect the taste of your next meal.
Dry all parts with a clean towel. Don’t let them air dry. Water spots can form, and moisture can lead to rust over time.
Step 7: Check the Heating Element
Look at the heating element at the top of the cooking chamber. If you see grease or food particles on it, wipe it gently with a slightly damp cloth.
Be careful around the heating element. Don’t bend it or scrub hard. A light wipe is enough.
Make sure the heating element is completely dry before you reassemble the unit.
Step 8: Reassemble
Place the clean, dry basket and tray back in the air fryer. Your air fryer is ready for next time.
Sources:
- How to Clean an Air Fryer in Five Easy Steps, Taste of Home, October 3, 2024, https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-clean-an-air-fryer/
- How to Clean an Air Fryer (Easy Tips + What to Avoid!), Foodess, September 26, 2024, https://foodess.com/article/clean-air-fryer/
- How to Use an Air Fryer: Tips & Instructions, KitchenAid, October 19, 2021, https://www.kitchenaid.com/pinch-of-help/countertop-appliances/how-to-use-an-air-fryer.html
What About the Dishwasher?
Many air fryer baskets and trays are dishwasher safe. Check your manual to be sure.
Here’s the thing: hand washing is better for the nonstick coating. The harsh detergents and high heat in dishwashers wear down the coating faster. You’ll extend the life of your air fryer by washing by hand most of the time.
Save the dishwasher for really greasy messes or when you’re short on time. But for regular daily cleaning, hand washing takes less than 5 minutes and protects your investment.
Sources:
- How to Clean and Maintain Your Air Fryer, COSORI, https://cosori.com/blogs/blog/how-to-clean-and-maintain-your-air-fryer
- How to Clean an Air Fryer (Easy Tips + What to Avoid!), Foodess, September 26, 2024, https://foodess.com/article/clean-air-fryer/
What Not to Do
Don’t skip cleaning. Even if the basket looks clean, there’s grease you can’t see. Clean after every use.
Don’t use harsh chemicals. Stick to regular dish soap and water. Harsh cleaners can damage the nonstick coating or leave harmful residue.
Don’t use abrasive scrubbers. Steel wool, metal scrubbers, and rough scouring pads will scratch the coating.
Don’t submerge the main unit. The main unit with the electrical components should never go in water. Only the removable parts get washed.
Don’t use too much water on the main unit. A damp cloth is fine. Dripping wet is not. Keep moisture away from electrical parts.
Sources:
- How to Clean an Air Fryer (Easy Tips + What to Avoid!), Foodess, September 26, 2024, https://foodess.com/article/clean-air-fryer/
When the Quick Method Isn’t Enough
Sometimes food gets really stuck, or you cook extra greasy items like bacon. The quick method might not cut it.
For stuck-on food, try these tricks:
The soaking trick: Let the basket soak in warm soapy water for 20-30 minutes instead of just 2-3 minutes. The longer soak loosens stubborn residue.
The steam trick: Put a cup of water in the basket. Run the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes. The steam loosens baked-on grease. Let it cool, then wipe clean.
The baking soda paste: Mix 2 tablespoons baking soda with 2 tablespoons water to make a paste. Apply to stuck-on areas. Let sit for 10 minutes. Scrub gently with a soft brush. Rinse well.
You’ll do a deeper clean about once a month. But for daily use, the 5-minute quick method keeps your air fryer in good shape.
Sources:
- How to Clean Your Air Fryer (& Keep it Clean) in 9 Easy Steps, Mulberrys, August 31, 2022, https://www.mulberryscleaners.com/blog/how-to-clean-air-fryer/
- Here’s How to Clean Your Air Fryer, According to Experts, The Pioneer Woman, January 2, 2025, https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/home-lifestyle/a63323402/how-to-clean-air-fryer-tips/
Time-Saving Tips
Clean while warm: Don’t let the air fryer sit for hours. Clean it while it’s still slightly warm for easiest cleanup.
Use liners: Air fryer liners (parchment paper or silicone) catch drips and crumbs. They reduce mess and make cleanup even faster. Just remember not to cover all the holes in the basket.
Spray lightly: Before cooking, give the basket a light spray of cooking oil. This prevents food from sticking and makes washing easier.
Dump crumbs immediately: Right after cooking, dump any loose crumbs from the tray. Don’t let them sit.
Next steps: You now know how to keep your air fryer clean. The next post will guide you through your first week of cooking, with seven types of foods that help you master the basics.