This article on How to Properly Season Air Fryer Basket to Prevent Sticking, will help teach you how to prevent most sticking issues.
How to Properly Season Air Fryer Basket to Prevent Sticking
The latest kitchen appliance to become super popular is the Air Fryer. We can all have our favorite deep fried foods without actually deep frying and without using oil. Wrong!
An Air Fryer does not take the place of a deep fat fryer, but it does allow us to have many of our favorite fried foods without deep frying and without tons of oil. However, oil is still needed in an Air Fryer.
Cast of Tools for Properly Season Air Fryer Basket to Prevent Sticking
Most of the Air Fryer on the market have a “non-stick” coating. Unfortunately, that coating is definitely not “non-stick.” In order to help keep your food from sticking to the Air Fryer basket, it is important to season your Air Fryer before cooking and/or after cleaning. You will only need Coconut Oil and a piece of Paper Towel. Please do not use aerosol sprays like Pam, as that will only build up grease and cause more peeling.
Wash and Dry your Air Fryer
Using a soft sponge, soap and water, wash your Air Fryer basket and drawer in the sink. Use a kitchen towel and lightly dry the Air Fryer drawer and basket. You don’t need to dry it totally, as the Air Fryer itself will do a great job of drying the basket and drawer.
Place the basket inside the drawer and place it into your Air Fryer. Turn the temperature to 400 degrees and set the timer for 5 minutes. Remove the drawer after three minutes.
Rub the Basket with Coconut Oil
Using a paper towel, scoop out some Coconut Oil and rub it all over the Air Fryer basket. Just a thin layer is needed. Don’t go crazy with a thick coating. Place the drawer and basket back into the Air Fryer, which will continue to stay on for two more minutes.
That’s it!
Properly Seasoned Air Fryer Basket
Prior to using your Air Fryer before cooking anything, rub a thin coating of Coconut Oil over the whole basket. I like to use The Fine Life Ideal Olive Oil Mister for spraying food with oil. Remember, this is not a deep fryer, but most food, will require that you spray your food, top and bottom, with Oil.
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How to Properly Season Air Fryer Basket to Prevent Sticking
Do you have to season it with the coconut oil every time you use it? Also can you put tinfoil in it if you want to reheat something like pizza 🍕 & don’t want the cheese to get everywhere ?
Do you have to preseason it with the coconut oil every time you use it? Also can you use tinfoil in it if you wanted to reheat something like pizza 🍕 & don’t want the cheese getting everywhere??
There were so many popup ads I had a hard time reading the article or seeing the pictures. Just thought you should know.
Thanks, the ads are how I get compensated, so glad they are there. You are welcome for the free information. Jill
Ran onto this article on Pinterest. My question is…we have had the air fryer for several months now. Is it too late to season the basket? We already have baked on grease on the basket. Very unattractive. Thank you in advance.
You can certainly do it, however, the baked on will not come out. Jill
My basket was easy to clean. The grease was hard to get off the plane that held the basket. Can you use foul on the pan.
Do you like air fryer parchment paper?
I do and use it frequently. I use this brand of parchment paper rounds. Jill
I followed the instructions, but my basket didn’t come out shiny like that. Does it take several times before it becomes shiny? Also, would it work just as well to dry the basket more, put the coconut oil on right away before heating the basket and then heat for 5 min.? That way you wouldn’t have to stick your hand into a really hot AF basket to apply oi.
This should be done after each and every use, shouldn’t it?
There should be warning when seasoning AF. While applying the oil, make sure to wear a heat resistant gloves because the cooking basket will be very hot and will cause severe burn if any part of the metal basket is accidentally touched without hand protection.
Well, It does not take a genius to know not to touch a 400 degree rack. You are the reason we have to put warning labels on everything
Thank you, Jill, this makes so much sense to me! The last thing I want to experience is flecks of “nonstick” coating in my food – that would gross me out.
Your instructions are thorough but simple.
Thank you
I love the idea of seasoning the fryer before use, mine is a mess right now! Thanks?
Can you spray the inside of the air fryer basket with a spray of its coconut oil?
Yes.
Great information thanks
HI DO YOU ALSO HAVE AN AIR FRYER COOKBOOK OUT?
I’m working on it. Jill
This would not work for me as I am allergic to coconut. Any alternatives?
In preparation of receiving my first airfryer tomorrow, I called the vendor asking the same question and was told any oil (EVOO, Vegetable, Canola, etc) will do
Try grapeseed oil.
Grapeseed oil
Can you tell us how to clean the AF basket of backed on grease? Nothing I have tried will even begin to remove the build up.
Try soaking in Dawn dish soap and very hot water. If need be, repeat process until clean.
I don’t have coconut oil. Will vegetable oil or olive oil work?
I’m just wondering does the coconut oil make your food taste like coconut because I have a very intense taste bud and I don’t like coconut lol
I don’t think so, Nikki. Jill
No taste or smell of coconut.
Buying a air fryer and looking for ideas and recipes for air fryers. Thank you!
Thank you, Jill, for providing us with this valuable information. I followed your seasoning directions the first time I used my new AF. Second time using, and every time thereafter, following cooking, cleaning, and drying, do we season and heat again prior to putting AF away until next time?
Thank you so much ?
Thank you for the information
I’m interested in why it doesnt talk about seasoning at all in my gowise owners manual? I assumed you needed to, but wouldnt have if I didnt see this post before trying it out for the first time.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I was starting to look around for a copper lined basket air fryer. I haven’t seen anything i’d like. Then i came upon this post this morning! You really are awesome!
Just bought air fryer. You seem to have all the info I need to get frying. Thanks 😉
Thank you- for sharing. Very helpful and got us off on a good start with our Air Fryer!
What is the dimensions of this air fryer? I need to find a spot for it before I order it.
Is this still your favorite?
HI, thanks for sharing your recipes. As I type, I am trying the Cuban frijoles in my instant pot. Quick question to seasoning the air fryer basket. Can another oil than Coconut be used? I had an allergic reaction to Coconut oil.
Merry Christmas to me….5.5quart air fryer. Thank you for all the help hints recipes. Love “This old gal”.com. From another older, this old gal in Kentucky.
Congrats on your air fryer. You’re gonna love it. Jill
I’ve got a quick question concerning seasoning my air fryer. Is this something special I should do before I use my air fryer the first time or does this refer to what I will do with an oil mister each time I cook? If it is a special procedure before first use, should I only use coconut oil or can I use canola oil? Thanks.
How to stop my geo wise hot air basket from peeling….the black paint is peeling and we are worried we are eating a chemical?
do you have to do this every time before you use the air fryer?
No, Sheri. Jill
great
I am just learning about my air fry
Many thanks for the info – the basket in my air-fryer (kogan brand) is a cyclinder suspended by the rotisserie rod and looks to be “stainless steel fly screen wire”, however I am familiar with treating cast iron much as your article says.
However, I have a problem with which you may be able to help. My air fryer is brand new and so far I haven’t the confidence to use it as I cannot find out if you can put food in the stainless steel bowl – all recipes (about 8) that came with it are placed on a wire rack – I am also an “old gal” having just turned 81 and usually cook on a slow combustion stove but finding using the chain saw is becoming a chore rather than a diversion routine, so bought the air fryer as it is supposed to do anything an oven can do as well.
Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Florence
Thanks for the info for seasoning my new Air Fryer. I’m really looking forward to using with your receipes!
I am new to cooking with an air fryer. I haven’t cooked any foods in it yet. Does the air fryer basket need to be seasoned after each use or just before the initial use? I will be checking back for any tips and recipes as I am anxious to start using it.
It is good to oil before each use if making a “fried” recipe. Jill
Can Olive oil be used instead of coconut oil?
Since you’re seasoning it at 400 degrees, I’d use an oil with a high smoke point, like grapeseed oil if coconut oil is something you can’t use.
Tried this today
Thsnks
How often do you have to season it? Each time you cook something in it or once in awhile?
Just bought my air fryer and want to try all of your amazing recipes. Garlic honey wings is what I am cooking tonight. Thank you
Hi Greg. You are welcome. Have fun with your air fryer. Let me know how you like the wings. Jill
Would like the recipe
thanks a bunch for your info….air-frying is great and your demo…helps us all enjoy it more…thanks
love your posts!!
Can you only use coconut oil to season?
Should I re season the basket after each use? Or does the first seasoning last for awhile?
I was wondering the same thing???
Can you use something besides coconut oil? My son is allergic to it.
Wondering the same. I am highly allergic to coconut too. Aggravating how many recipes call for it now.
Interesting article. I was not aware of seasoning the basket for these Ari Fryers. I don’t own one yet. I’ve been studying about them to make sure it would really be a kitchen appliance I would truly use.
Hi Joanne~
It really helps when cooking items that tend to stick. Jill
Do you think you could use coconut oil aresol spray? I purchased some from trader joes that I
like so far.
Yes can I do it all the time
Thank you for this article. I am trying to read all about the air fryer before I use it. Do you have any recipes for a pork tenderloin?
my airfryer smokes… I think i cooked too many fatty foods (chicken wings) now even if i have french fries in it, it smokes a little. do you have any advice on stopping the white smoke or completely getting the oil out?
I read in another post if you put a little water under the basket then the smoke will stop.
I used the water technique and it worked great. No smoke
There will always be a bit of white smoke. Don’t worry!
Make sure to clean your air fryer each time you use it.
Put water in the bottom top stop it from smoking
I have the same question too. Also, can you still put it in the dishwasher?
How often do you season the badket?
I have the same question as above.
If you read the article, she states… quote ” it is important to season your Air Fryer before cooking and/or after cleaning.”