Cleaning Pros Say This Is Actually How You Should Clean a Greasy Air Fryer Basket

From crispy chicken wings to roasted vegetables, your air fryer can handle all kinds of meals, but the basket can get grimy fast. Regular cleaning helps prevent grease buildup, lingering odors, and stuck-on food that can make cleanup even harder the next time you cook. Fortunately, keeping the air fryer basket clean is simple.

Many air fryer baskets are dishwasher-safe, but experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab say hand-washing is the best way to clean an air fryer basket, especially if you want to help preserve the nonstick finish.

All you need is a grease-cutting dish soap, warm water, and a few gentle cleaning tools. Avoid steel wool, abrasive scrubbers, or harsh cleaners, which can scratch the coating. If you’re dealing with stubborn, baked-on food, let the basket soak in warm, soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing to help loosen residue.

1. Turn off and unplug the air fryer. Allow the appliance to cool completely, then remove the basket and drawer or tray.
2. Wash with warm, soapy water. Use a soft sponge or cloth with a grease-cutting dish soap, like Dawn Platinum, to clean the basket.
3. Scrub hard-to-reach areas. For grease or food trapped in the vents, corners, or other crevices, use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub away residue without damaging the nonstick finish.
4. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Rinse away any soap residue, then dry the basket and tray completely before putting them back in the air fryer.
5. Wipe down the air fryer. Finish by wiping the inside of the appliance and the exterior with a damp microfiber cloth or paper towel to remove any remaining grease or crumbs.

Before putting your air fryer basket in the dishwasher, check your owner’s manual to make sure the removable parts are dishwasher-safe. Even if they are, hand-washing is still the gentler option. If you choose to use the dishwasher, follow these steps to help protect the basket’s finish.

1. Turn off and unplug the air fryer. Let the appliance cool completely before removing the basket and drawer or tray.
2. Place the removable parts in the dishwasher and run a normal wash cycle. Arrange the basket and tray upside down on the top rack, if they fit. The top rack exposes them to gentler water jets and keeps them farther from the heating element.
3. Dry completely before reassembling. Once the cycle is finished, make sure all the parts are fully dry before placing them back in the air fryer.
4. Wipe down the rest of the appliance. While the basket is in the dishwasher, use a damp microfiber cloth or paper towel to wipe the inside of the air fryer and the exterior, removing any grease splatters or crumbs.

This may surprise you more than how much your appliance can tackle, but air fryer baskets need to be cleaned after every use. “You should think of them like pots and pans,” says Noah Pinsonnault, a Home Care & Cleaning Lab analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute. “If they aren’t cleaned regularly, crumbs, oil, and other food residue can build up. It’s unhygienic, it can lead to off flavors and can even be a fire hazard.”