How to Clean an Air Fryer in 4 Easy Steps

We all know that the air fryer is the modern workhorse of the kitchen—even with little to no oil, it crisps up food as it cooks it, which makes for a fried experienced without any of the negative health benefits. But in order for your air fryer to continue to work optimally, it's important to clean it correctly and regularly.

If you're an air fryer owner, you probably have a few questions regarding the cleaning process: Which parts need to be hand washed versus cleansed in the dishwasher? Can you get the main unit wet? And, of course, how can you remove stubborn, burnt-on debris from the basket? To help, we tapped air fryer expert Isla Zoey of Air Fryer Mag and Kaitlyn Hebert, the global head of marketing at appliance company Ninja, for their advice.

Why It's Important to Clean Your Air Fryer

It's tempting to simply tuck in the basket and call it a day after you use your air fryer, but it's important to remove food residue and oil quickly; wait too long, and those things build up, resulting in a mess that becomes difficult to get rid of. According to Herbert, regular cleaning helps prevent this buildup—and in turn, helps your machine perform better when you use it. 

How Often to Clean Your Air Fryer

The unit, along with any baskets and crisper plates, should be thoroughly cleaned after every use. Most air fryer baskets, crisper plates, and other accessories are dishwasher-safe, says Herbert—but with baskets in particular, hand-washing is best, since it will ultimately extend the life of the piece.

Preparing Your Air Fryer for Cleaning

After you finish cooking, the air fry basket and crisper plate will be very hot. Herbert recommends starting the cleaning process by unplugging the air fryer and letting the unit cool. Once it is no longer hot to the touch, remove the basket with the crisper plate and run them under cool water; be sure to remove the crisper plate at this time (don't leave it in the machine).

As you prepare your air fryer for cleaning, you might start thinking about popping those dishwasher-safe items into your machine to save some time. While this won't necessarily damage your air fryer's parts, a manual approach will result in the deepest clean: "I always prefer a manual cleaning with warm soapy water as it helps to break down the food particles and excessive grease on the parts, especially on the basket," says Zoey. "A few gentle scrubs ensure thorough and safe cleaning."

Materials Needed

Be sure you have the following items on hand before you begin cleaning your air fryer:

• Warm water
• Dish soap
• Gentle, non-abrasive sponge
  

How to Clean Your Air Fryer, Step by Step

Keeping your appliances clean will ensure that they will work properly for as long as possible. According to Zoey, these are the steps to take in order to clean your air fryer.

Step 1: Unplug the Air Fryer

First, unplug the air fryer from the power source; let it cool down. This cool-down period gives internal components time to rest and saves you from any potential harm during the cleaning process.

Step 2: Remove Detachable Parts and Clean

Carefully remove the detachable parts, like the basket, tray, crisper plate, and any others. Not sure which parts you should remove and clean? Refer to your user manual—and always heed the manufacturer's cleaning guidelines, which will also indicate which pieces are safe to go into the dishwasher.

If the removable parts are not dishwasher safe, put them into a mixture of warm water with dish soap. Let them soak for 30 minutes, then gently scrub them using a sponge to dislodge any debris or burnt food.

Step 3: Clean the Interior Surface

While the removable components are either soaking or in the dishwasher, use a sponge or damp cloth to wipe the interior surface to remove any food residue or stubborn debris.

Step 4: Clean the Exterior Surface 

The exterior should also be cleaned with a damp cloth, wipe, or sponge. Don't forget the control panel and any additional buttons; leaving debris inside will ultimately lead to unresponsive controls.

Safe and Effective Cleaning Products for Your Air Fryer

When cleaning your air fryer, stick to just a few basic ingredients: soap, water, and a very soft sponge to prevent scratching. If these materials aren't cutting it, extend the soaking time. "If food residue is stuck on the basket or crisper plate, soak them in the sink with warm, soapy water until it is easy to remove the residue," says Herbert, noting to always clean the main unit and the control panel by "simply wiping them down with a damp, non-abrasive cloth."

Safety Measures to Consider When Cleaning Your Air Fryer

The biggest safety concern regarding air fryer cleaning is burns. According to Herbert, after cooking, the air fry basket and crisper plate will be ultra-hot (think about how high your machine can go—upwards of 400 degrees Fahrenheit). To be safe, she always recommends unplugging the unit and letting it fully cool before you begin cleaning.