Best Easy to Clean Air Fryer: 5 Picks That Won’t Make You Scrub

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Published: January 4, 2026 · By
Best overall for easy cleanup
Ninja Air Fryer Max XL (AF161)

Crisps reliably and its removable basket lets grease lift off after a short warm soak, so weeknight cleanup stays quick.

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Best Easy to Clean Air Fryer

If cleaning your air fryer feels harder than cooking with it, you’re not alone. These top picks are built around the fastest path from dinner to a clean sink, with baskets and trays that release grease and crumbs without a fight.

Best Overall
This one is the rare air fryer that stays in heavy rotation because it delivers real crisping without turning cleanup into a project.
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Easiest Basket Cleanup
COSORI’s square basket is the cleanup story here: it’s easy to wipe, easy to rinse, and the corners are reachable without awkward angles.
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Best Dishwasher-Friendly
If your best-case cleaning plan is “let the dishwasher handle it,” the Vortex Plus fits that reality well.
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In-depth Reviews

Ninja Air Fryer Max XL (AF161)

Capacity
5.5 qt
Max Temperature
450°F
Power
1750W
Functions
6
Dishwasher-Safe Parts
Basket and crisper plate
Real Talk: This one is the rare air fryer that stays in heavy rotation because it delivers real crisping without turning cleanup into a project. The basket releases stuck-on crumbs well after a short soak, and the insert lifts out easily so you can actually reach the corners. It also handles wet, breaded foods better than many models, so you’re not scraping off stubborn patches after cooking.
✅ Pros
  • Strong browning and crisping, even with frozen foods
  • Basket and insert rinse clean quickly after a soak
  • Simple controls that are easy to use when you’re tired
❌ Cons
  • Large footprint can feel bulky on smaller counters
  • Fan noise is noticeable during high-heat cooking
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COSORI Air Fryer 5.8-Qt (CP158-AF series)

Capacity
5.8 qt
Temperature Range
170°F to 400°F
Power
1700W
Presets
11
Dishwasher-Safe Parts
Basket and crisper plate
Real Talk: COSORI’s square basket is the cleanup story here: it’s easy to wipe, easy to rinse, and the corners are reachable without awkward angles. It’s especially convenient for messy foods like marinated chicken, roasted vegetables with oil, or anything with melted cheese, because the nonstick surface tends to let go with minimal scrubbing. Overall cooking results are consistent and reliable for everyday meals.
✅ Pros
  • Square basket is simple to wipe and reach into
  • Nonstick coating releases oily residue with less scrubbing
  • Good all-around performance for weeknight staples
❌ Cons
  • Basket can stain over time if you cook very sugary sauces often
  • Exterior can show fingerprints and smudges
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Instant Vortex Plus 6QT Air Fryer

Capacity
6 qt
Temperature Range
95°F to 400°F
Power
1700W
Functions
6
Dishwasher-Safe Parts
Basket and tray
Real Talk: If your best-case cleaning plan is “let the dishwasher handle it,” the Vortex Plus fits that reality well. The basket and tray are straightforward to separate, and the overall shape is easy to rinse before you load it. It performs well across the basics, especially reheating and crisping leftovers, which can be a big help if you want fewer pans in the sink on busy nights.
✅ Pros
  • Parts are simple to remove and load into the dishwasher
  • Good at reheating leftovers without making them soggy
  • Easy to wipe down inside due to simple geometry
❌ Cons
  • Controls can take a minute to learn if you are used to knob dials
  • Some foods can brown unevenly if the basket is crowded
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Philips Premium Airfryer XXL (HD9650/96 series)

Food Capacity
Up to 3 lb (1.4 kg)
Temperature Range
175°F to 400°F
Power
2225W
Technology
Fat Removal
Dishwasher-Safe Parts
Removable parts
Real Talk: This is the pick for people who cook higher-fat foods and hate the greasy aftermath. It does a great job crisping while channeling drippings away from the food, which can keep the basket less slick than typical designs. Cleanup is still not “no work,” but it often feels more like a rinse-and-wipe than a scrub session. The trade-off is the size and the premium price.
✅ Pros
  • Excellent crisping with less greasy pooling
  • Basket and insert tend to wipe out faster after rich foods
  • Strong, consistent cooking results across batches
❌ Cons
  • Big and heavy, so it takes up real counter space
  • High price compared with similarly sized competitors
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Dash Tasti-Crisp Digital Air Fryer (2.6 Qt)

Capacity
2.6 qt
Temperature Range
200°F to 400°F
Power
1000W
Controls
Digital
Dishwasher-Safe Parts
Basket and crisper tray
Real Talk: For a small household or a tight kitchen, this compact model keeps cleanup fast because there’s simply less surface area to deal with. The basket is easy to carry to the sink, and it’s quick to wash by hand between uses. Cooking performance is best for simpler foods like fries, nuggets, vegetables, and single-portion proteins. It’s not ideal for big batches, but it’s low-fuss day to day.
✅ Pros
  • Compact size makes washing and storing easier
  • Quick hand-wash cleanup for simple meals and snacks
  • Approachable controls for everyday use
❌ Cons
  • Limited room for family-size portions
  • Less powerful crisping on thicker, wetter foods
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Buying Guide

If you…Prioritize this for easier cleanupTop pick
Cook sticky wings, glazes, or saucy proteins often A basket coating that releases easily plus an insert that lifts out cleanly so you can reach corners COSORI Air Fryer 5.8-Qt (CP158-AF series)
Rely on frozen foods and want crisp results without extra steps Aggressive crisping performance paired with a basket and insert that rinse clean after a short soak Ninja Air Fryer Max XL (AF161)
Run the dishwasher most nights and want low-effort maintenance Truly dishwasher-safe basket and tray with simple shapes (fewer ridges and seams) Instant Vortex Plus 6QT Air Fryer
Cook richer foods and hate greasy residue and smoke Designs that keep drippings away from the food and wipe out faster after bacon, sausage, or thighs Philips Premium Airfryer XXL (HD9650/96 series)

Quick Care Guide: Keep Your Air Fryer Easy to Clean for Years

Clean while it’s still “warm,” not cold. Once you’re done cooking, pull the basket and let it cool just until it’s safe to handle. A warm basket releases grease far more easily than a fully cooled one, so a quick soak with warm water and dish soap often prevents the baked-on ring that turns into scrubbing later.

Skip aerosol cooking sprays. Many air fryer baskets get sticky over time not from food, but from spray propellants that polymerize on hot nonstick surfaces. If you need help with sticking, use a small amount of regular oil applied with a brush or paper towel, or choose foods that already carry enough fat. Your basket will stay smoother and easier to wipe down.

Do a weekly “hidden grease” wipe. Even if you wash the basket every time, fine grease mist collects on the interior walls and near the heating area. Unplug and cool the unit, then wipe the inside with a damp cloth and a drop of dish soap, followed by a clean damp wipe. This one habit cuts down on smoky preheats, stubborn odors, and the surprise of brown drips falling onto fresh food.

💡 Editor’s Final Thoughts

Final Verdict: The Ninja Air Fryer Max XL (AF161) is the top pick because it crisps aggressively while keeping cleanup simple with a durable, easy-release basket and insert. If you want a slightly roomier, squarer basket that’s especially forgiving with sticky foods, the COSORI Air Fryer 5.8-Qt is the cleanup-friendly runner-up.

See also

If you’re leaning toward COSORI, start with our hands-on COSORI Air Fryer 5.8Qt review for real-world cleanup notes and weeknight performance.

Frequently Asked Questions ▾

What actually makes an air fryer “easy to clean”?

Look for a basket and crisping plate that lift out cleanly, with as few seams, screws, and hard-to-reach corners as possible. A truly effective nonstick coating matters more than extra presets, because it’s what determines whether grease wipes off or bakes on. Dishwasher-safe parts help, but the shape matters too: smooth walls and a simple plate design usually rinse faster than intricate grids.

Is it safe to put the basket and tray in the dishwasher?

If the manufacturer labels the basket and insert as dishwasher-safe, it’s generally fine. That said, frequent dishwasher cycles can dull some nonstick coatings over time, especially with harsh detergents or high-heat drying. If you want the coating to last longer, hand-wash most nights and use the dishwasher occasionally for a deeper clean.

Do liners (parchment or silicone) make cleanup easier, and do they affect cooking?

Perforated parchment liners can make cleanup faster for sticky sauces and sugary glazes, but they should not block airflow. Add liners only after preheating and only when food is on top, so they don’t fly into the heating element. Silicone liners are reusable and great for greasy foods, but they can slightly reduce browning because they create a barrier between the food and the basket’s airflow.

How do you clean the heating element when it starts smoking?

Unplug the unit and let it cool completely. Pull the basket out, then wipe the interior and the underside of the heating area with a damp cloth or non-abrasive sponge and a small amount of dish soap if needed. For stubborn splatter, a warm, damp cloth held against the spot for a minute helps soften residue, then wipe again. Avoid soaking the main unit or spraying cleaner directly into it.

What’s the best way to remove baked-on grease without ruining the nonstick coating?

Start with a soak: warm water plus a few drops of dish soap in the basket for 10 to 20 minutes often does most of the work. Use a soft sponge or nylon brush, not steel wool, and skip abrasive powders that can scratch coatings. If residue is still stuck, a baking soda paste can help, but keep it gentle and test a small spot first. Also avoid aerosol cooking sprays, which can leave a gummy film that’s hard to remove.

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