How to clean an air fryer

Looking for advice on how to clean an air fryer? We've rounded up expert tips to help you keep yours in top condition.

Regular cleaning and maintenance can significantly prolong the lifespan of your air fryer, so although it's not a fun job, it's one that's worth doing.

Head to our shortlist of the best air fryers to see which ones came top in our tests.

Looking for expert tips to help you make smarter buying choices? Sign up to our free Weekly Scoop newsletter.

How often should you clean an air fryer?

Air fryers might be time-saving appliances, but they need more cleaning than ovens do. In fact, if you want to keep your appliance in a top shape for as long as possible, you should give it a quick clean after every use.

Cleaning straight away or the same day makes all the difference, otherwise chunks of old food and grease accumulate, and will eventually burn in the basket if fried repeatedly and affect the taste of your food. Not cleaning your air fryer often enough may also impact its performance and shorten its lifespan.

If your air fryer isn't too messy after you use it, you should at at least wipe out any liquid grease using a paper towel.

There's no need to deep clean the appliance after every use, but you should deep clean it at least once a month or after every five to seven uses, depending on how much oil you use and how messy the food is.

Looking for a new air fryer? Head over to our air fryer reviews to find out which models we made Best Buys.

How to clean an air fryer

Quick cleaning your air fryer

You should clean the basket or tray, any accessories such as crisper plates and all interior parts after every use. All you need is a non-abrasive sponge or cloth, hot water and washing-up liquid.

Follow these easy steps:

1. Let your air fryer cool down after cooking

Your air fryer will need at least 30 minutes to completely cook down after cooking, but don't leave it too long as the longer you wait, the harder the food will be to remove.

You should also make sure the air fryer is unplugged before cleaning.

2. Asses the mess

If oil from the food you've cooked has accumulated in the bottom of the basket, wipe it out with a paper towel first. This way you can avoid clogging your sink or dishwasher over time. 

3. Clean the basket and accessories

Many manufactures claim that all removable parts of their air fryers are dishwasher-safe, so you can technically put them straight in there.

However, because they tend to be covered in non-stick coatings, they're also easy to clean by hand. This is our preferred method as it's less likely to cause damage.

Non-stick coatings usually mean food residue is easy enough to remove, but if any grease or other food has been burned on, leave the basket to soak in hot water with a little washing-up liquid. Do the same with any accessories or other removable non-stick parts.

You may not need to soak the parts every time, but you should always wash them in warm water with a non-abrasive sponge.

4. Clean the inside of the air fryer

Don't forget to check the inside of the appliance as grease and food might be sticking to the walls. Use a damp cloth or a gentle sponge to wipe it away.

Afterwards, give the interior one last wipe down with a dry cloth before letting it dry completely.

5. Give the exterior a quick clean, too

To remove any oil or food splatter, use a damp cloth and give the exterior a good wipe. Once all components are dry, reassemble the air fryer before pugging it back in.

Deep cleaning your air fryer

If you use yours regularly, you'll also need to give it regular deep cleans, paying special attention to the exterior and hard-to-reach spots such as under the element. 

You'll need a sponge, a cloth, a soft brush (an old toothbrush will do) and some washing-up liquid.

1. Repeat steps 1-3 of the quick clean

Let your air fryer cool down before removing the basket and any other removable components. 

Wipe away oil with a paper towel and clean all parts with warm water using a non-abrasive sponge and washing-up liquid. Let all parts dry while you tackle the inside of the appliance.

4. Clean the interior but don't skip the heating element

As during the quick clean, use a damp cloth or a gentle sponge and wipe away any oil or food residue from the interior walls. 

Next, find the the heating element of your air fryer: it's usually located at the top inside the main unit. With most models, you'll need to turn the air fryer over to access the heating element more easily.

Air fryer manufacturer Ninja suggests using a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the element to prevent deterioration over time, but avoid using too much water. A small brush will also come in handy if you're trying to reach bits grease and food particles sticking to it.

Let all the components air dry once they're clean.

5. Give the exterior a quick clean too, paying special attention to dirt traps

As you would during a quick clean, remove any oil or food splatters using a damp cloth and give it a good wipe. Check the crevices around the controls, buttons and other areas where dirt might collect, such as top of the unit.

Once everything is dry, put the air fryer back together, making sure all parts are securely assembled.

What not to do

• Don't follow the internet cleaning 'hack' that suggests air frying the basket filled with water and dishwashing liquid as a way to clean it as this could potentially be very dangerous.
• Don't use dishwashing tablets to clean your air fryer, either. While it isn't detrimental, it's very expensive and completely unnecessary.
• Don't use any sponges or cloths made from abrasive material. Avoid any scourers that might damage the non-stick coating on the basket or other removable parts and resist the temptation to scratch off burnt-on grease with sharp tools. 

Find out how the biggest air fryer brands compare in our Ninja vs Tower vs Tefal guide.

Can you clean air fryer parts in the dishwasher?

Several manufacturers including Ninja and Lakeland say that their air fryer's removable parts, such as the baskets and crisper plates, are dishwasher-safe.

While this can be a quick way of cleaning some parts, it's not our preferred method because a harsh dishwasher cycle or bumping against other dishes during the wash can damage their non-stick coating.

This same coating makes the removable parts of your air fryer fairly easy to clean by hand, so it's worth following our quick steps for regular cleaning.

Cooking for the whole family? Read our guide to the best dual air fryers.

Tips to help keep your air fryer clean

• Use an air fryer liner Keep the basket or tray as clean as possible by using an air fryer liner. We tried single-use paper liners and reusable silicon liners, and found the latter to be the better option if you're looking for minimal effort, minimal cost and wastage. They're usually non-stick and relatively easy to clean.
• Don’t overfill the basket or tray, no matter what you're cooking This is more likely to create a mess and need more cleaning time after cooking. It can also prevent food from cooking properly.
• Avoid overcooking or burning food This will mean it takes longer to clean as you may have to soak the parts. It could also give the air fryer a lingering unpleasant smell.
• Don’t put things in your air fryer that shouldn’t be in there Anything that doesn't belong in an oven, probably shouldn't go in your air fryer, either. Only use air fryer-safe accessories or accessories recommended by the manufacturer. 
• Clean your air fryer after every use This is the best way of ensuring the grime and grease don't collect for too long, as well as making regular cleaning a lot quicker and easier.

Need a new air fryer? See our round up of the best air fryer deals every month.