rewrite this title Keep That Air Fryer Clean: A Simple 3-Step Routine

Chances are if you have an air fryer, it’s become one of your favorite kitchen gadgets. These handy appliances are capable of delivering everything from crispy grilled cheese to delicious salmon filets in a fraction of time, and with barely any mess to clean up. However, if you want your air fryer to keep delivering delicious dinners for years to come, it needs to be cleaned on a regular and consistent basis.

Don’t miss any of CNET’s unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome.

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 2026.

What you need to clean an air fryer

SoapPaper towelsSponge or dishclothDisinfectant 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, then set the pan and basket aside to dry.

3. Scrub the inside and coils

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.