A dirty air fryer basket can make food stick, smoke, and taste off. Here’s how to clean it thoroughly without scratching the nonstick coating or wasting time.
If your air fryer basket looks greasy, smells weird, or has a sticky film that will not rinse off, you are not alone. The good news is you usually do not need harsh chemicals or heavy scrubbing to get it truly clean.
This guide walks you through a fast after-use wash, a deeper reset for baked-on grease, and smart habits that keep buildup from coming back.
Before you start: protect the nonstick surface
Most air fryer baskets have a nonstick coating. The coating makes cooking easier, but it is also the part you can ruin fastest with abrasive tools, overheating, or harsh cleaners.
Quick safety and setup
- Unplug and cool: Wait until the basket is cool enough to handle comfortably.
- Remove loose crumbs: Tap crumbs into the trash or compost before you add water.
- Skip metal tools: No steel wool, metal scrapers, or sharp knives.
- Avoid aggressive chemicals: Oven cleaner and heavy degreasers can damage coatings and leave residues.
What you need (simple supplies that work)
You can clean most baskets with basic dish soap and a soft sponge. For stubborn grease or odor, a few add-ons help, but you do not need a cabinet full of products.
Core supplies
- Dish soap (a grease-cutting formula works best)
- Non-abrasive sponge or soft brush
- Microfiber or soft dish towel for drying
Optional helpers for deep cleaning
- Baking soda (for paste and odor control)
- White vinegar (for deodorizing and light film removal)
- Soft toothbrush or small nylon detail brush (for corners and mesh)
- Paper towel (for pre-wiping pooled grease)
Best method by mess level (comparison table)
Pick the lightest method that gets the job done. Over-scrubbing is what usually wears out baskets early.
| Basket condition | Best approach | Time needed | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light crumbs, minimal grease | Warm soapy wash, soft sponge | 3 to 5 minutes | Dishwasher if your coating is delicate |
| Sticky film or visible grease sheen | 10-minute soak in hot soapy water, then gentle scrub | 15 minutes | Abrasive pads, scouring powders |
| Burnt-on spots or black specks | Baking soda paste + dwell time, detail brush for corners | 20 to 30 minutes | Metal scraper, hard bristles |
| Strong odor (fish, bacon, spicy marinades) | Baking soda soak or vinegar rinse, then thorough dry | 20 minutes plus drying | Putting it away damp |
How to clean your air fryer basket after each use (fast routine)
This routine prevents the sticky, polymerized grease layer that becomes much harder to remove later. If you do this most nights, deep cleans become rare.
After-each-use checklist (5 to 10 minutes)
- Step 1: Dump crumbs into the trash, then wipe the basket with a dry paper towel to remove pooled grease.
- Step 2: Rinse with warm water to loosen surface residue.
- Step 3: Wash with hot, soapy water using a non-abrasive sponge. Focus on the bottom plate, corners, and any mesh.
- Step 4: Rinse thoroughly so no soap film remains (film can make the next cook smell “soapy” when heated).
- Step 5: Dry fully with a towel, then air-dry for a few minutes before reassembling.
Tip: use the soak only when you need it
If you cooked something fatty like wings or sausage, a quick soak does more than scrubbing harder. Fill the basket with hot water and a few drops of dish soap, then let it sit while you eat or load the dishwasher.
Deep clean an air fryer basket (for sticky, baked-on grease)
Deep cleaning is about time and chemistry, not force. Letting a safe cleaner sit on the residue is what breaks the bond.
Deep-clean checklist (20 to 30 minutes)
- Step 1: Make a baking soda paste (about 2 tablespoons baking soda plus 1 tablespoon water). Add water slowly so it stays spreadable, not runny.
- Step 2: Apply paste to problem areas (brown sticky patches, black specks, greasy corners). Keep it on the basket surface, not on the heating element.
- Step 3: Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. This dwell time is the difference between easy wipe-off and frustrating scrubbing.
- Step 4: Gently scrub with a soft sponge or brush. Use a toothbrush for tight grid corners and around rivets.
- Step 5: Wash with dish soap after the paste step to remove loosened grease and any remaining residue.
- Step 6: Rinse and dry completely.
When baking soda is not enough
If the basket still feels tacky after drying, you likely have a thin layer of heat-cured grease. Repeat the paste and dwell time once more instead of scrubbing harder. Two gentle rounds usually beat one aggressive round.
How to remove stubborn grease without scratching
Stubborn grease usually shows up as a shiny or sticky film that “looks clean” but feels draggy to the touch. That film can cause smoke and off flavors as it reheats.
Try this sequence (least abrasive first)
- Pre-wipe: Use paper towel to remove as much oil as possible before adding water.
- Hot soak: Soak in hot (not boiling) soapy water for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Gentle agitation: Use a soft brush for the grid and edges, not a scouring pad.
- Baking soda paste: Spot-treat the slick areas, let sit, then wipe.
For baskets with a removable crisping plate
Separate the plate from the outer basket and clean both surfaces. Grease often hides where the plate meets the basket, and that trapped residue is a common source of lingering odor.
Deodorize an air fryer basket (so it stops smelling like last night’s dinner)
Odor usually comes from oil residue, not the metal itself. The fix is removing the film and then drying thoroughly.
Two low-effort deodorizing options
- Baking soda soak: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons baking soda to warm water, soak 15 minutes, then wash with dish soap.
- Vinegar rinse: After washing, rinse with a mix of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts warm water, then rinse again with plain water.
Drying matters more than people think
Put the basket on a rack or towel with airflow for 10 to 20 minutes. If it goes back into the drawer damp, stale smells can cling and return the next time you heat it.
Can you put an air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
Sometimes yes, but it depends on the brand, the coating, and how long you want the basket to last. Dishwasher detergent is alkaline and aggressive, and high heat plus strong detergent can dull or weaken nonstick over time.
Use this decision rule
- Dishwasher is reasonable if your manual explicitly says dishwasher-safe and you are okay with gradual wear over time.
- Hand-wash is better if you want maximum coating life, you see the finish getting dull, or you notice more sticking after dishwasher cycles.
If you do use the dishwasher
- Place the basket securely so it does not bang into other items.
- Avoid high-heat drying if your model allows a lower-temp option.
- Do not run it with heavy, greasy loads that leave a film behind.
Common mistakes that make air fryer baskets harder to clean
A few habits create most “my basket will never get clean” situations. Fixing them is faster than buying replacement parts.
- Letting grease bake on repeatedly: A quick wash after cooking is far easier than a weekend rescue.
- Using abrasive scrubbers: Scratches create more places for grease to cling and can shorten coating life.
- Soaking too long in harsh solutions: Long soaks in strong cleaners can discolor finishes and weaken coatings.
- Skipping the underside and edges: Grease collects where the plate seats and along the rim.
Keep it clean longer: prevention tips that actually help
The goal is reducing the amount of oil that reaches the basket surface and stopping residue from curing into a hard film.
Practical habits
- Wipe while it is warm: Once the basket is safe to touch, wiping grease is easier than when it has cooled and thickened.
- Do not overfill: Crowding increases splatter and pushes food against the sides, which bakes on sauces.
- Use marinades strategically: Thick sugary sauces burn faster. Add them later in the cook when possible.
- Rotate greasy foods: If you cook bacon daily, plan a quick soak routine so it never gets ahead of you.
Bottom Line
For most air fryer baskets, hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge right after cooking is all you need. When grease turns sticky or baked-on, a baking soda paste with dwell time removes buildup without scratching. Keep the coating healthy by avoiding abrasive scrubbers and drying the basket completely before storing.
See also
For the most stubborn, heat-cured buildup, start with How to remove grease: practical steps and, if you want gentler options, consider Best non-toxic cleaning products for families.
- Scrub Daddy sponges review for nonstick-safe scrubbing
- Stain-rescue decision tree for fast “what do I do next?” cleaning choices
- Method all-purpose cleaner review for everyday kitchen cleanup
Frequently Asked Questions ▾
How often should I deep clean my air fryer basket?
If you hand-wash after each use, most people only need a deep clean every 2 to 4 weeks. Deep clean sooner if you notice sticky residue, smoking, or odors that return after washing.
Is it safe to use baking soda on a nonstick air fryer basket?
Yes, baking soda is commonly used as a gentle abrasive when mixed into a paste and applied with a soft sponge. The key is light pressure and letting it sit so you do not need aggressive scrubbing.
Why does my air fryer basket still feel sticky after I wash it?
That usually means a thin layer of heat-cured grease is still on the surface. Try a hot soapy soak followed by a baking soda paste step, then wash again with dish soap and rinse well.
Can I use a Magic Eraser or abrasive sponge on the basket?
It is not recommended for most nonstick baskets. Abrasive cleaning can dull or scratch the coating, which makes sticking and buildup worse over time. Use a non-abrasive sponge and add dwell time with a soak or baking soda paste instead.
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