How to Clean Your Air Fryer With Ease

It appears the air fryer trend is here to stay. In fact, it’s fair to say it has gone beyond the “fad” stage and become a bonafide kitchen staple. Who doesn’t love crisp veggies, fun mini pizzas or French fries without the fat?

However, if you’re not making a mess, you’re not really cooking. Baked-on chicken skin, sticky barbecue sauces and the inescapable grease are to be expected and will sometimes make cleanup challenging and unbearable. Here’s how to clean your air fryer so it’s ready to go the next time you want to tackle an interesting new recipe.

How Often to Clean Air Fryer

Some people have never even considered washing the air fryer. However, it’s recommended that you clean the appliance after every use, just like you would with regular pots and pans. Most air fryer owners make the mistake of comparing it to the microwave or oven, which you can take care of monthly or so. 

However, the air fryer involves direct contact with the food while generating heat. It is possible to use air fryer liners to have less mess and prevent sticking to the components. However, the materials fail to negate the entirety of the mess, which is why it’s imperative to still clean it as soon as possible. 

Steps to Cleaning the Airfryer

1. Let Your Air Fryer Cool

Ensure your air fryer has cooled down for about 30 minutes before you clean it. The last thing you want is to get a nasty burn. You can let the basket sit on your stovetop outside of the fryer, which should speed the process. This is the easy part, as you will likely be enjoying your meal during this time anyway. 

2. Dump Those Crumbs

Perhaps you made some breaded chicken parmesan and ended up with a crummy mess on the bottom of your basket. You can dump everything down your kitchen sink disposal. Some air fryer models will feature a crumb-catching tray at the bottom of the basket — be sure to carefully remove this and toss whatever fell through underneath. 

You should also brush away anything sticking to the door, hinges and basket. A soft-bristled toothbrush should do the trick. Just remember to be gentle to avoid damaging the coating of your air fryer. 

3. Clean the Basket

Some people wonder how to clean the air fryer basket, so try to roll up your sleeves and get into the nitty-gritty. You should always read your owners’ manual, but in general, it is safe to put your air fryer basket in the dishwasher. 

If it has a nonstick coating, you may opt to wash it by hand with warm water, dish soap and a soft sponge. Do not scour with a steel-wool pad, which will scratch and damage the surface. Place the basket upside down to dry.

4. Wash the Air Fryer Interior 

There’s one more step to tackle before calling it a day. When learning how to clean your air fryer, don’t forget to wash the machine’s interior and exterior. Use a damp sponge with dish soap. You can turn your air fryer upside down for easier access. 

You could also try a microwave cleaning hack by using a soft melamine foam sponge, which will easily erase anything caked on. This is also a good way to get rid of the inevitable fingerprints on the outside and on the control panel.

Airfryer Cleaning Hacks 

Cleaning an air fryer is relatively straightforward. However, some people may still feel a little bit of oil slick, baked-on grease, or dried-up residue that’s stubbornly staying after the initial wash. In those cases, it’s recommended to do a second wash to try and get rid of the funk from your well-loved kitchen appliance.

However, if these aren’t budging, you can also try out some infamous air fryer cleaning hacks that will help your home. For example, here’s how to clean an air fryer with baking soda:

• Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the airfryer basket, making sure it covers all of the stubborn spots in your space.

• Drizzle dish soap onto the air fryer afterward. Avoid mixing and just allow it to sit on top of the baking soda for a little bit.

• Pour in warm water. It may start to bubble up, but this is completely normal. Let it sit for a bit before pouring out. Afterward, you can do your usual cleaning routine.

Missing baking soda from your kitchen pantry? Here’s how to clean an air fryer with vinegar:

• Vinegar is a potent cleaning agent for the air fryer’s exterior. Make sure to mix equal parts of it with water to dilute it and add to a spray bottle. 

• Spritz your vinegar-water mixture onto the surfaces, ensuring that all parts gets some of the fluids. Wait a couple of seconds before wiping it all down with a microfiber cloth. 

How to Clean Your Air Fryer so It’s Ready to Go

Now that you know how to clean your air fryer like a pro, it’s time to put it away for next time. Ensure it’s dry before you reassemble and store it. It will always be ready for those intriguing recipes you’ve been meaning to try, like calamari or hasselback potatoes or even hot dogs for the kids. With a clean, mean machine, anything is possible.

Originally Published 11/30/2022 – Updated 11/7/2024