The air fryer has evolved from trendy gadget to essential kitchen tool — and for good reason. These compact appliances cook food fast and quietly, handling everything from fresh vegetables and proteins to frozen convenience foods with ease. To keep yours performing at its best, regular and thorough cleaning is non-negotiable.
Despite their oil-free cooking method, air fryers aren’t immune to mess. Drips, splatters and food particles create sticky residue and stubborn buildup, particularly with frequent use. Most models feature numerous crevices and compartments—especially those with removable baskets — that trap debris and require attention.
Cleaning an air fryer takes more effort than washing a simple pan but far less than tackling a full-size oven. The task is essential, not just for performance but for safety.
This is how you can clean your air fryer without damaging the hardware. For more, find out which air fryer is the best for you and our favorite models for 2025.
What you need to clean an air fryer
- Soap
- Paper towels
- Sponge or dishcloth
- Disinfectant wipe or a Magic Eraser
1. Give the outside a surface clean
Before you begin, make sure your appliance is unplugged, then it’s time to remove any food scraps that may be congealing in or on your air fryer. Grab some newspapers or paper towels and wad them into a ball, and give the air fryer a good wipe down — inside and out — to remove the bulk of the built-up residue from your cookware.
Next, go over the outside of the appliance, including where the buttons are, with a disinfectant wipe or a Magic Eraser. This wipe down will remove any residual oil and dust.
2. Wash the removable pan and fryer basket
Now, remove the pan and basket (some models also have a tray you can clean) and give them a good washing with warm, soapy water. You usually can put these two items in the dishwasher, but check your manual to be certain. If they’re dishwasher-safe, always put them on the top rack during a normal cycle.
If you’re hand-washing the pieces, let them soak in warm, soapy water before wiping them down with a sponge or dishcloth. Rinse each piece with warm water, and set the pan and basket aside to dry.
3. Scrub the inside and coils
Clean the coils above your air fryer cooking basket for a safer kitchen and better tasting food.
While those pieces are drying, use a Magic Eraser, cleaning cloth or disinfectant wipe to clean the heating element inside your air fryer and the areas around where the basket sits.
Remember to never put your air fryer under running water and make sure you don’t use a cleanser that needs to be rinsed off on the appliance during your deep clean. (Even if you wiped the appliance down with a moist cloth after doing so, it doesn’t remove all of the cleanser residue, so it’s best to avoid using those types of products altogether.)
If gunk is stuck on the fryer’s heating element, scrub it with an old toothbrush or a soft-bristled cleaning brush. Don’t use anything more abrasive, or you may leave scratches. You don’t want to damage the most important part of the air fryer, but it’s also incredibly important to make sure there’s no residue that can catch on fire on the cookware’s coils.
Once everything is clean and dry, place the pan and basket back inside the air fryer, and it’s ready to be used again.
