How to Clean an Air Fryer: Baskets, Plates and Peeling Coating

Clean the basket and crisper plate after every use, once the air fryer is unplugged and cool. Cosori, Ninja and Instant list their baskets as dishwasher safe, but the main unit never goes in water. Skip metal utensils, steel wool and abrasive cleaners, which the manuals say can damage the nonstick coating.

Quick checklist before you start

• Unplug the air fryer and let it cool completely. Cosori suggests pulling the basket out so it cools faster.
• Check your model’s manual for dishwasher-safe parts.
• Have a soft sponge or cloth, dish soap and, for stubborn grease, baking soda.
• Keep water away from the main unit. Every manual here says never to immerse it.

Step by step: basket and crisper plate

1. Remove the basket and plate. The Cosori Pro LE plate has four rubber stoppers; Cosori says to remove them only for cleaning, and to soak them in water before pushing them back in.
2. Dishwasher or sink. Cosori says the Pro LE basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe, or can be washed in hot, soapy water with a non-abrasive sponge. Ninja says the AF100 basket, crisper plate and accessories can go in the dishwasher.
3. Soak what is stuck. Ninja suggests leaving the basket and plate in a sink of warm, soapy water if food residue is stuck on.
4. Treat stubborn grease. Cosori’s method: mix 2 US tablespoons of baking soda with 1 US tablespoon of water into a paste, spread it on the basket and plate with a sponge, let it sit 15 minutes, rinse, then wash with soap and water.
5. Dry fully. Ninja says to air-dry or towel-dry all parts after use.

Instant notes that some discoloration may occur after machine washing the Vortex Slim’s parts, and says it does not affect safety or performance.

Step by step: the inside of the air fryer

The cooking chamber collects spatter that the basket does not.

• Cosori: clean the inside with a slightly moist, non-abrasive sponge or cloth; do not immerse in water. Clean the heating coil if needed, and make sure it is completely dry before turning the air fryer on.
• Ninja AF100: wipe the main unit and control panel with a damp cloth, and clean the heating element with a cleaning brush to remove food residue.
• Instant Vortex Slim: check the heating coil and chamber walls for oil and debris after use. For baked-on grease, spray a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, wipe with a damp cloth, and let it sit for several minutes on stubborn stains before scrubbing.

What not to use on an air fryer

The manuals agree on most of this list:

Glass air fryers: different rules

Ninja’s Crispi glass containers can go in the dishwasher or be washed by hand, with no abrasive tools. The big rule is temperature. Ninja says to let glass cool gradually to room temperature before it goes into water, the sink or the dishwasher, and to never submerge hot glass in cool water. The lids are top-rack only, and the modular base on the Crispi Pro is hand wash only. Our glass air fryers guide has the full list of Ninja’s glass care rules.

Air fryer ovens: more parts to clean

Oven-style models add a crumb tray and pans. Ninja’s Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven guide says to empty the crumb tray frequently, wash accessories separately, and use a non-abrasive brush on the air fry basket. For the interior it says not to use abrasive cleaners, scrubbing brushes or chemical cleaners. Ninja recommends hand washing that oven’s accessories for longest use.

Why is my air fryer basket coating peeling?

Philips gives one cause: incidental scratching, during cleaning or when the basket goes in. It advises avoiding harsh cleaning tools such as metal scrubbers and hard brushes, and inserting the basket gently. Cosori adds that the rubber stoppers on its crisper plate keep the plate from touching the basket directly, which helps prevent damage to the basket’s coating in rare cases.

For what the FDA says about nonstick coatings in general, see air fryer nonstick coatings and PFAS.

When to replace a basket or plate instead of cleaning it

Coating wear is expected over time. Ninja’s AF100 warranty lists the removable basket, crisper plate, racks and pans as wearable parts that “require regular maintenance and/or replacement,” and does not cover their normal wear. Ninja sells parts and accessories through ninjaaccessories.com.

For glass, Ninja is direct: if a container “becomes chipped, cracked, or deeply scratched DO NOT use.” It also says to stop using a container if the handles or heat protectant are broken or damaged.

Match the part to your exact model number. Cosori’s and Instant’s manuals both recommend their own parts and accessories. Our basket replacement guide explains how to find the right part by model, and how to size a compatible part from another maker.

Cutting down on cleanup next time

Cosori’s care section says lining the basket with foil, except the crisper plate, may make cleanup easier. Other brands differ on foil, so check our foil and parchment guide first. Reusable liners are another option if your manual allows them.

Browse other add-ons in our air fryer accessories guide.