I bought my air fryer during a phase when I was convinced it would change my life, and to be fair, it mostly did. Chips came out crisp without a vat of oil, chicken wings on a weeknight became a normal thing, and reheating leftover pizza stopped being a sad, soggy affair.

What I did not plan for was the basket. After a few months of enthusiastic use, I pulled it out one evening and found a thin, sticky brown film baked onto the bottom, crumbs wedged in every hole of the crisper plate, and a faint smell of old oil that no amount of normal washing seemed to shift. My air fryer still worked, but it looked tired, and food started sticking in a way it never used to.

Learning how to clean air fryer basket properly turned out to be less about scrubbing harder and more about understanding what the basket is actually made of. Most baskets have a nonstick coating, and that coating is the whole reason food releases so easily. Scour it with steel wool, soak it in harsh chemicals, or blast it in the dishwasher every single time, and the coating wears down, food sticks more, and you end up scrubbing even harder. It is a vicious cycle, and I was well into it before I changed my approach.

The routine below is the one I use now. It takes about fifteen minutes for a regular clean and a bit longer when the grease has really baked on, and it has kept my basket in good shape for far longer than my first, aggressive approach ever did. It works for basket-style air fryers from the big brands, and the same principles apply to oven-style models with trays and racks, which I will cover at the end.

Why an Air Fryer Basket Gets So Gross So Fast

An air fryer works by blasting hot air around food at high speed, and that hot air carries tiny droplets of oil and fat with it. Some of that oil lands on the basket walls, some drips through the crisper plate into the drawer, and some bakes onto the surface every time you cook. Foods with marinades, sugary glazes, and cheese are the worst offenders, because sugar and protein brown and harden under high heat and bond to the coating.

The other problem is that the basket is full of holes, ridges, and corners. Crumbs and batter collect in the crisper plate holes, grease pools where the plate meets the drawer, and the rim of the basket catches drips that you never notice until they turn brown. If you only rinse the basket after cooking, that residue builds up in thin layers until one day it looks like a completely different colour. That is also when the smell starts. Old, reheated oil goes rancid, and a dirty basket can make fresh food taste faintly stale.

None of this means your air fryer is ruined. Baked-on grease looks dramatic but it is almost always removable with soaking and patience, and a basket that smells can be rescued. The trick is to clean it the right way, and to stop the worst of the build-up from happening in the first place.

What You Need Before You Start

You do not need special equipment, and you should avoid most of it. Here is what I keep by the sink for this job: washing-up liquid, baking soda, a soft sponge or non-scratch scouring pad, a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush, a microfibre cloth, and a dry tea towel. That is genuinely all of it.

What you should not reach for matters just as much. Steel wool and metal scourers will scratch a nonstick coating, and once the coating is scratched, food sticks in those scratches and the damage only gets worse. Oven cleaner and bleach are too harsh for a surface that touches your food, and they can leave residues that are unpleasant when heated. Abrasive cream cleaners fall into the same category. If a product promises to dissolve burnt-on grease in seconds, it is probably too aggressive for a nonstick basket.

One more thing worth checking before you start: your manual. Some baskets and drawers are labelled dishwasher-safe, and some are not. Even for the ones that are, I hand-wash mine most of the time, because dishwasher detergent and high heat wear coatings down faster over time. I save the dishwasher for the occasional deep-clean shortcut, not as the daily routine.

Step 1: Unplug It and Let It Cool Completely

This sounds obvious, and it is also the step I used to skip. Cleaning a hot basket is miserable, and cold water on a very hot nonstick surface is not kind to the coating either. Unplug the air fryer and let the basket and drawer cool until they are comfortable to hold. For most models that takes twenty to thirty minutes after cooking, or up to an hour if you have been roasting at high heat.

While it cools, tip out any loose crumbs into the bin. If the basket is still warm, a quick wipe with kitchen paper will lift a surprising amount of loose oil before it sets. Just do not pour cold water into a hot basket or run it under a cold tap while it is still steaming. A little patience here saves you a lot of scrubbing later.

Step 2: Take the Basket Apart

Most basket air fryers have two parts: the outer drawer and the inner basket or crisper plate that sits inside it. Pull the drawer out, lift the basket out of the drawer, and separate any removable crisper plate if yours has one. Cleaning the pieces separately is much easier than trying to scrub around the plate while it is still locked in place, and it lets you reach the grease that collects underneath the plate, which is usually the dirtiest spot of all.

If your model has a handle that comes off, or a drip tray in an oven-style fryer, take those out too. Grease hides in joints and under handles, and a basket that looks clean from above can still smell because of the gunk underneath. Lay everything out on the counter so you can see what you are dealing with, and give each piece a quick rinse to remove loose crumbs before you start washing properly.

Step 3: Soak in Warm Soapy Water

Soaking is the single most effective step in how to clean air fryer basket, and it is the one people are most tempted to skip. Fill your sink or a large bowl with warm water and a squirt of washing-up liquid, and submerge the basket and drawer for ten to fifteen minutes. Warm water softens grease and loosens dried-on food without any scrubbing at all, and for a basket that has only been used once or twice since its last clean, this soak plus a gentle wash is often the entire job.

For light, everyday cleaning, wash the pieces with a soft sponge in the soapy water, rinse well, and move on to drying. Do not use boiling water, which can stress the coating over time, and do not leave nonstick pieces soaking overnight as a habit. A long soak is fine as an occasional rescue for a badly neglected basket, but as a routine it is unnecessary, and standing water can get into handle joints and crevices where it is hard to dry out.

Step 4: Tackle Baked-On Grease With a Baking Soda Paste

If soaking has not shifted everything, this is where the baking soda comes in. Mix roughly three parts baking soda with one part water to make a thick paste, spread it over the stubborn greasy patches, and leave it for fifteen to twenty minutes. Baking soda is mildly abrasive and mildly alkaline, which is a useful combination: it loosens grease without gouging the coating the way steel wool would.

After the paste has sat, scrub gently with a soft sponge or a soft-bristled brush, working in small circles. You will feel the greasy film lift. Rinse thoroughly, because baking soda residue left behind can leave a chalky film and an odd taste. If a patch is still there after one round, repeat the paste rather than reaching for something harsher. Two gentle rounds beat one aggressive one, and your coating will last far longer for it.

For the brown, almost varnished-looking layer that builds up on older baskets, a longer soak in warm water with a tablespoon or two of baking soda dissolved in it, followed by the paste treatment, usually does the job. It is slow, but it works, and it does not damage anything in the process.

Step 5: Clean the Crisper Plate Holes and Corners

The crisper plate is where most people give up, because crumbs and batter get wedged into dozens of small holes and slots. After soaking, run a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush over the plate, pushing from both sides so the debris comes out rather than getting pushed further in. A wooden skewer or a cocktail stick is useful for individual holes that are still blocked, but use it gently and never use a knife or metal pick, which will scratch the coating around the hole.

Pay attention to the rim where the plate sits in the drawer and the corners of the drawer itself. Grease pools in these spots, and because they are out of sight, they are easy to miss. A quick pass with a cloth wrapped around your finger, or the corner of a sponge, gets them. If your basket has a mesh section rather than a plate, the same brush technique works, just be even gentler, because mesh coatings are thinner and easier to damage.

This is also a good moment to check the drawer for warping or peeling coating. A little wear on a well-used basket is normal, but large areas of flaking coating are a sign the basket is near the end of its life. If flakes are coming off into food, it is time to buy a replacement basket rather than keep scrubbing.

Step 6: Wipe the Inside and the Heating Element

A clean basket in a dirty air fryer will still smell, so while the basket soaks, wipe down the inside of the unit. With the air fryer unplugged and cool, wipe the interior walls with a damp microfibre cloth and a drop of washing-up liquid, then wipe again with a clean damp cloth to remove any soap. Pay attention to the area above where the basket sits, because grease spatters upwards during cooking.

The heating element needs a lighter touch. If you can see it, wipe it gently with a barely damp cloth, and use a soft brush with a little baking soda paste only on spots where food is actually stuck. Never spray cleaner directly onto the element, and never submerge the main unit in water. The main unit contains the fan and the electrics, and water in there is a safety problem, not just a cleaning one. Once you have wiped it, leave the unit open for a few minutes so any dampness evaporates before you put the basket back.

Step 7: Dry Everything Properly Before Reassembling

This is the step that quietly causes the most problems. A basket that goes back into the air fryer while still damp can develop a musty smell, and trapped moisture around the drawer seal encourages grease residue to turn rancid faster. Dry every piece with a clean tea towel or microfibre cloth, then leave the pieces out on a drying rack for ten or fifteen minutes to air-dry completely, ideally upside down so water drains out of the holes rather than pooling in them.

Do not put a wet basket back and run the air fryer empty to dry it. Running it empty at high heat is hard on the element and the coating, and it bakes any remaining soap residue onto the surface. Air-drying takes a few extra minutes and costs nothing. Once everything is fully dry, slide the basket back into the drawer and give it a final wipe with a dry cloth to catch any lint or dust.

Step 8: Stop the Worst Build-Up From Coming Back

Cleaning is only half the story. A few small habits will cut the amount of scrubbing you have to do in future. First, wipe the basket out with kitchen paper after every use once it has cooled. It takes thirty seconds and removes most of the oil before it has a chance to bake on during the next cook. Second, use a light brush of oil on the food rather than pouring oil into the basket, because pooled oil is what turns into that sticky film.

Third, consider parchment liners made for air fryers if your model allows them. They catch crumbs and drips, they must never block all the airflow or touch the heating element, and they are not a substitute for cleaning, but they do keep the worst mess off the basket itself. Fourth, avoid cooking very sugary marinades and melted cheese directly on the basket surface when you can, or at least clean the basket the same day when you do. Sugar and cheese are the two things that turn a ten-minute clean into a forty-minute one.

Finally, give the basket a proper wash at least once a week if you use the air fryer regularly, even if it looks fine. Thin layers of grease are invisible until they are not, and a weekly wash stops them from building up into the brown film that needs a paste treatment to remove.

Mistakes That Ruin Air Fryer Baskets

The most common mistake is reaching for steel wool or a metal scourer. It feels effective in the moment, and it is the fastest way to shorten the life of a nonstick basket. The second is putting a hot basket under cold water, which can warp thinner baskets and stress the coating. The third is using oven cleaner or bleach, which are designed for surfaces that do not touch food and can leave residues you really do not want to heat up and eat off.

Another mistake is never cleaning the drawer underneath the basket. People wash the basket, put it back, and wonder why the smell persists, when the drawer underneath is holding a layer of old drippings. And the last one is reassembling everything while it is still wet, which I covered above, because it is so easy to do when you are in a hurry. If you avoid those five things, your basket will last noticeably longer, and cleaning it will stay a quick job rather than a project.

If you have ever wondered whether the same gentle approach works on other kitchen surfaces, it does. I use a similar soft-cloth method on my other appliances, and I wrote about the streak-free side of that in my guide to cleaning stainless steel appliances without streaks. For a second opinion on the overall method, PureWow’s air fryer cleaning guide covers the same soak-and-soft-brush routine in six steps.

How Often Should You Clean an Air Fryer Basket?

For most households, the honest answer is: a quick wipe after every use, a proper wash once a week, and a deeper clean once a month. If you cook fatty foods like wings or sausages, wash it after every use, because that grease sets fast. If you mostly cook vegetables and reheated leftovers, a weekly wash is plenty.

The monthly deep clean is when you do the full routine: soak, baking soda paste on any stubborn spots, crisper plate holes, interior wipe, and a proper air-dry. Doing it monthly means no single clean ever becomes a big job, and it is also a good moment to check the coating for wear and the drawer seal for trapped grease. Mark it on the same day you clean out the fridge, if that helps you remember. Little routines that piggyback on existing ones are the ones that actually stick.

Can I put my air fryer basket in the dishwasher?

It depends on your model. Some baskets are labelled dishwasher-safe, and an occasional dishwasher cycle will not destroy them. But dishwasher detergent and high heat wear nonstick coatings down faster than hand-washing, so I hand-wash mine most of the time and save the dishwasher for the occasional shortcut. Always check your manual first, and never put the main unit with the fan and electrics in the dishwasher.

How do I get rid of the smell in my air fryer basket?

Wash the basket and the drawer underneath it, because the smell usually lives in the drawer drippings, not just the basket. Wipe the interior and the heating element area, then leave the unit open to air out. If a faint smell remains after washing, a soak in warm water with baking soda dissolved in it usually clears it. Persistent rancid smells after a thorough clean can mean grease has baked into a damaged coating, which is a sign the basket may need replacing.

Is it safe to use vinegar on an air fryer basket?

A diluted vinegar wipe is generally fine on most baskets, but I prefer baking soda paste for stubborn grease because it is gentler and does not leave a smell. Do not mix vinegar with bleach or harsh cleaners, and do not soak a nonstick basket in undiluted vinegar for hours, as acids can dull some coatings over time. A quick wipe with diluted vinegar followed by a rinse is fine if you like usin

Why is food sticking to my air fryer basket more than it used to?

Usually the coating is either dirty or damaged. A thin layer of baked-on grease makes food grip, so try a proper soak and baking soda paste clean first. If food still sticks after a thorough clean, the coating itself may be worn or scratched from abrasive scrubbing, and no amount of cleaning will restore it. In that case a replacement basket is the fix, and gentler cleaning will protect the new one.

Can I use parchment paper liners in my air fryer?

Yes, if they are made for air fryers and used correctly. The liner must not block all the airflow, must be weighed down by food so it cannot fly up onto the heating element, and must never be used during preheating without food on it. Liners catch crumbs and drips and reduce cleaning, but they do not replace washing the basket, since grease still gets through and around them.

How do I clean an oven-style air fryer with racks?

The same principles apply. Remove the racks and drip tray, soak them in warm soapy water, use baking soda paste on stubborn spots, and brush the rack wires gently. Wipe the interior walls and the heating elements with a damp cloth, never spray cleaner inside, and dry everything fully before reassembling. Oven-style racks have more surface area, so the soak matters even more.

Conclusion

My air fryer basket is not new anymore, but it looks and smells a lot better than it did during the months when I was either ignoring it or attacking it with the wrong tools. The routine that fixed it was not complicated: cool it down, take it apart, soak it, use baking soda paste on the stubborn bits, clean the holes and corners, wipe the inside, and dry it properly before putting it away. Fifteen minutes, once a week, and a wipe after every use.

If your basket looks like mine did, start with the soak and give the baking soda paste a chance before you decide it is ruined. Most baskets are not ruined at all, they are just overdue a proper clean. And once you have it clean, the thirty-second wipe after cooking is the habit that keeps it that way. Your air fryer will cook better, smell better, and last longer, and the next time you pull the basket out, you will not be greeted by that sticky brown film.