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
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.
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?