Learn how to clean an air fryer so that your tasty air fryer foods turn out perfect every single time! An air fryer basket that has stuck on bits of leftover food and grease can effect how the rest of your food turns out. So check out my best tips and tricks on how to properly clean an air fryer!
How to Clean an Air Fryer
It’s no secret that I absolutely LOVE my air fryer! From main dishes like air fryer chicken drumsticks to tasty side dishes like air fryer mushrooms, I’ll really find a good recipe to cook anything in the air fryer.
But sometimes, I cook foods that are especially greasy or sticky and then the air fryer basket needs an extra good cleaning. Air fryer bacon always requires a post-cooking deep clean, and so do BBQ chicken drumsticks. They leave behind stubborn residue that I have to remove so that the food I make later doesn’t taste like barbecue or bacon.
Just like a grill, leaving stuck-on food bits and baked-on grease behind can effect the quality of the food you are cooking. The air fryer’s basket is not a self cleaning thing and it needs to be thoroughly washed in order to ensure no bacteria grows.
Sometimes warm soapy water and a bit of elbow grease is all that it takes to get the job done. But if the interior of your air fryer is extra dirty, you may be wondering what are the best ways to get it clean. I’ve got years of experience with my air fryer, so I’ve got some of the best tips for you!
Why You’ll Love this Helpful How-To
First-time air fryer owners and long-time owners can both benefit from these tips. It seems like there would be a simple process to clean an air fryer, but sometimes it can be a bit difficult. I bet you’ll find something useful here that will make your life a little easier:
- You can find super affordable and easy ways to clean your air fryer. There’s no fancy equipment or extra expensive cleaners required.
- Maintaining the cleanliness of your air fryer is the best way to ensure it lasts a long time. No matter the product design of your particular model, you can extend its life it you keep it clean!
- Air fryer appliances are a wonderful way to make healthier foods. So if you keep your appliance clean then it is always ready for the next time you want to use it.
Types of Air Fryers
There are many different styles of air fryers, so your cleaning method may be a bit different depending on what type you own:
Basket Air Fryers: A basket-style air fryer is the most common type that you will find. The removable basket is made for ease of cleaning, and is super simple to use.
Oven Style: These styles of air fryers look like mini ovens, some even have multiple racks! Oftentimes there are multiple functions like toast, bake, and air fry.
Glass Air Fryers: Believe it or not, there are glass air fryers! These were made with those in mind who prefer not to cook in plastic. They function pretty similar to classic basket-type air fryers.
How to Clean an Air Fryer
No matter the type of air fryer you own, the basic steps to clean it will be the same. I’m going to address many of the most commonly asked questions and provide a simple process that will help you learn how to clean an air fryer perfectly. Let’s get started and clean that dirty air fryer:
Unplug Your Air Fryer
Since every air fryer is an electrical unit, be sure to unplug before cleaning. If you have an oven style fryer, you may not need to unplug it. However, if you plan to clean the heating coil in the oven style then I definitely recommend unplugging it.
Remove Basket or Pan
Remove the air fryer basket or the tray/pan from an oven style air fryer. Soak it in very warm soapy water and scrub with a sponge. Depending on the finish of your basket or tray, you may need to use a non-abrasive sponge. A stainless steel tray would be fine with an abrasive sponge. For extra stubborn residue and stuck on food, allow the basket to soak for a while before scrubbing. If there are any other removable parts from the main unit, go ahead and take those out too and put them in the warm water.
Clean the Interior
Use a damp cloth or soft sponge and then use it to wipe out the interior of your air fryer. Be sure to wipe off the heating element. You can use a small soft-bristle brush or an old toothbrush to clean all of the little nooks and crannies inside of the air fryer.
Clean the Exterior
Use a clean cloth with warm soapy water to carefully wipe down the outside of your air fryer. If you have a stainless steel oven-style fryer, then you can use a stainless steel polishing wipe to buff it out. A spray of white vinegar and lemon juice is a great way to clean any streaks on glass elements. Just make sure that you’ve removed all the food residue first.
Dry Everything
I like to leave the air fryer open so that the inside can air dry completely. Even though I towel dry it, sometimes water can be left behind. Make sure everything is thoroughly dry before using your air fryer again.
Tips for Success
With these simple tips, you can have the best success while cleaning your air fryer:
- Use a high quality soap that cuts grease well. If you use a low-quality soap it can be significantly more difficult to get excess grease and stuck-on food clean off of all the air fryer parts.
- For ease of cleaning, clean your air fryer immediately after you use it. Allow it to cool completely and then go ahead and wash all of the parts before the food has time to dry and stick on.
- Use some baking soda and/or vinegar to handle extra stuck on and stubborn food particles. You can mix the two together to make a baking soda paste or soak the part in a mixture of baking soda, water and vinegar.
- Check the instruction manual for your air fryer for extra tips that are specific to your style of air fryer. While I count myself as a cleaning expert, there are still some things that are specific to each air fryer that I won’t be able to know.
Food to Make In an Air Fryer
Now that your air fryer is all clean, you can start making some tasty food:
Make healthy sides like air fryer frozen green beans or some tasty air fryer sweet potatoes. You can even roasted butternut squash to then blend up for butternut squash soup.
Breakfast foods can also be made in the air fryer! French toast sticks are a favorite around our house and poached eggs are so yummy. Air fryer cinnamon roll bites are fun too.
Make air fryer chicken thighs or meatloaf for a quick and tasty dinner!
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