🚨 Quick Answer
Air fryers usually smoke because of excess grease dripping onto the heating element, leftover food residue from previous cooking, or cooking fatty foods at high temperatures. The fastest fix is to clean the basket and tray, reduce the temperature by 10–15°F, and add a small amount of water to the drip pan if your model allows it.
Fast fixes at a glance:
- Clean grease and food debris from basket and heating element area
- Lower temperature by 10–15°F to reduce burning
- Add 2 tablespoons water to drip tray (only if manufacturer-approved)
- Avoid aerosol cooking sprays that leave residue buildup
Is It Dangerous When an Air Fryer Smokes?
In most cases, air fryer smoke is not dangerous—it’s a sign of burning grease or food residue, not an electrical problem. The smoke you’re seeing is typically from oil or fat dripping onto the heating element and vaporizing, which creates visible smoke but doesn’t indicate a safety hazard.
When air fryer smoke is usually harmless:
- Light white or gray smoke from cooking fatty foods
- Smoke that appears intermittently during cooking
- Smoke that stops when you remove food or lower temperature
When to stop cooking immediately and unplug:
- Burning plastic smell – indicates possible electrical issue or melting component
- Thick black smoke – suggests severe burning or overheating beyond normal cooking
- Smoke accompanied by sparks – electrical problem requiring immediate attention
If your air fryer exhibits any of the warning signs above, unplug it immediately, let it cool completely, and contact the manufacturer before using it again.
Common Reasons Your Air Fryer Is Smoking
Understanding why your air fryer smokes helps you prevent it in the future.
| Smoke Type | Most Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| White smoke | Grease/oil burning on heating element | Drain excess grease, lower temp 10-15°F |
| Light gray smoke | Food residue from previous cooking | Clean basket and tray thoroughly |
| Heavy smoke | Fatty foods (bacon, sausage) | Add water to drip tray, reduce temp |
| Blue-gray smoke | Aerosol spray residue buildup | Wipe basket clean, switch to oil brush |
Grease Dripping onto the Heating Element
This is the most common cause of air fryer smoking. When you cook fatty foods like bacon, chicken thighs, or burgers, the fat renders out and drips to the bottom of the air fryer basket. If enough grease accumulates, it reaches the heating element and burns, creating smoke. This happens more quickly with foods that have high fat content or when cooking at temperatures above 375°F.
Leftover Food or Oil Residue
If you didn’t clean your air fryer thoroughly after the last use, old food particles and oil residue will burn when you preheat or start cooking again. Even small amounts of residue can create smoke when exposed to high heat. This is especially common in the areas around the heating element that are harder to see and clean.
Cooking Fatty Foods (Bacon, Chicken Thighs, Sausage)
Foods with high fat content naturally release grease as they cook. Bacon can lose up to 50% of its weight in rendered fat, chicken thighs with skin release significant oil, and sausages often drip continuously throughout cooking. At air fryer temperatures (typically 350-400°F), this fat burns quickly, especially if it pools at the bottom of the basket.
Using Aerosol Cooking Sprays
Many aerosol cooking sprays contain additives and propellants that create a sticky residue on your air fryer basket. This residue doesn’t evaporate cleanly—it burns at high temperatures and creates smoke. Over time, the buildup gets worse with each use, leading to more smoking. Regular cooking spray cans are the primary culprit, while pump spray bottles with pure oil don’t cause this problem.
Cooking at Too High a Temperature
Air fryers work efficiently at moderate temperatures (360-380°F for most foods). Cooking at 400°F or higher causes oil and grease to burn faster, creating more smoke. High temperatures also cause any residue on the basket to smoke more intensely. Foods don’t necessarily cook better at maximum temperature—they just smoke more.
How to Stop Your Air Fryer from Smoking (Step-by-Step)
Follow this checklist to stop smoking immediately and resume cooking safely.
☐ Step 1: Pause the Air Fryer Immediately
Press pause or turn off the air fryer. Don’t open the basket yet—wait 10-15 seconds for the fan to slow down. Opening immediately while the fan is at full speed can blow smoke into your kitchen.
☐ Step 2: Open and Remove the Basket Carefully
Use an oven mitt to remove the basket. The smoke is from burning grease, so expect heat. Place the basket on a heat-safe surface, not directly on your counter.
☐ Step 3: Drain Visible Excess Grease
If you see pooled grease in the bottom of the basket or drip tray, carefully pour it into a heat-safe container (not down the sink). Even 2-3 tablespoons of grease removal can significantly reduce smoking.
☐ Step 4: Wipe the Basket and Tray
Use a damp paper towel to wipe the basket bottom and drip tray. You don’t need to do a deep clean right now—just remove the obvious grease and residue. Focus on the areas where grease pools.
☐ Step 5: Add Water to the Drip Tray (If Allowed by Your Model)
Check your air fryer manual to confirm this is safe for your model. If allowed, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the drip tray beneath the basket. Water helps absorb grease and prevents it from reaching the heating element. Never add water if your manufacturer advises against it.
☐ Step 6: Reduce Cooking Temperature by 10-15°F
If you were cooking at 400°F, reduce to 385-390°F. If at 375°F, reduce to 360-365°F. The lower temperature will still cook your food but reduces the rate at which grease burns.
☐ Step 7: Resume Cooking and Monitor
Return the basket to the air fryer and resume cooking. Check every 5 minutes to ensure smoking has stopped. If smoking continues heavily, you may need to remove more grease or lower temperature further.
How to Prevent Air Fryer Smoke in the Future
These practices will minimize smoking before it starts.
Clean after every use, even if it looks clean. Residue you can’t see still burns. Wash the basket, tray, and any removable parts with hot soapy water after each cooking session. Pay special attention to corners and the area around the heating element.
Use minimal oil when preparing food. A light spray or brush of oil is enough—you don’t need to coat food heavily. The air fryer’s circulation creates crispiness without requiring excess oil. For most foods, 1-2 teaspoons of oil per serving is sufficient.
Line the drip tray if recommended by your manufacturer. Some air fryer models allow parchment paper or aluminum foil in the drip tray (not the basket). This catches grease before it reaches the heating element. Always check your manual—some models prohibit this due to airflow concerns.
Cook fatty foods at lower temperatures. Bacon cooks perfectly at 350-360°F instead of 400°F. Chicken thighs with skin work well at 375°F. Lower temperatures give fat time to render without burning immediately. You’ll get the same crispy results with less smoke.
Check that the basket is properly positioned. If the basket isn’t fully inserted or is sitting at an angle, grease can drip in unexpected places. Always ensure the basket clicks into place and sits level before starting to cook.
Foods Most Likely to Cause Air Fryer Smoke
These foods require extra attention to prevent smoking:
Bacon – Renders fat extremely quickly. Check every 5 minutes and drain grease at the halfway point. Cook at 350-360°F maximum. Consider cooking in smaller batches to prevent grease overflow.
Chicken thighs (skin-on) – Expect light smoking after 10-12 minutes as the skin renders fat. This is normal. Add water to the drip tray before cooking and use 375°F instead of 380°F.
Burgers – Ground beef over 80% fat content will smoke more. Use 85% lean or leaner for less smoking. Drain grease at the 8-minute mark if cooking thick patties.
Sausages – Pierce each sausage 2-3 times with a fork before cooking. This allows fat to release gradually instead of all at once. Cook at 360-370°F for minimal smoking.
Frozen breaded foods (mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers) – Excess oil in the breading coating smokes when it drips off. Pat frozen breaded foods with a paper towel before cooking to remove surface oil.
When Air Fryer Smoke Is a Real Problem
Most air fryer smoking is a minor maintenance issue, but these signs indicate a real problem requiring attention.
Burning plastic smell with smoke – This suggests an electrical component is overheating or a plastic part is too close to the heating element. Unplug immediately, let cool completely, and contact the manufacturer. Don’t use until the source is identified and resolved. This is not normal cooking smoke.
Smoke continues when air fryer is empty – If your air fryer smokes when running empty (after cleaning), the heating element may have residue buildup that normal cleaning doesn’t remove, or there’s an electrical issue. Try running it at 400°F for 10 minutes while empty in a well-ventilated area. If smoking continues, contact customer service.
Unit becomes too hot to touch on the exterior – Air fryers get warm during use, but if the exterior becomes painfully hot, this indicates poor ventilation or a malfunction. Check that vents aren’t blocked by walls, towels, or other items. Air fryers need 5+ inches of clearance on all sides. If overheating continues with proper clearance, stop using it.
Never ignore persistent electrical smells or sparks. These require professional evaluation and aren’t fixable with cleaning or temperature adjustments.
Air Fryer Smoking FAQs
Is it normal for an air fryer to smoke a little?
Yes, light white or gray smoke is normal when cooking fatty foods like bacon, chicken thighs, or sausages. The fat renders out during cooking and creates smoke when it hits the heating element. This is similar to how an oven smokes when cooking bacon. As long as the smoke is light and stops when you remove the food or lower temperature, it’s not a concern. Heavy black smoke or smoke that persists after removing food indicates a problem.
Can I put water in the bottom of my air fryer?
It depends on your air fryer model. Many manufacturers approve adding 2-3 tablespoons of water to the drip tray (the removable tray beneath the basket, not the basket itself) to catch grease and reduce smoking. Always check your manual first—some models prohibit this due to electrical component placement. Never pour water directly into the air fryer base or near the heating element. Only add water to removable trays if your manual specifically allows it.
Should I stop cooking if my air fryer starts smoking?
If you see light smoke, pause cooking, remove excess grease, and reduce temperature—then you can resume. If you see heavy black smoke, smell burning plastic, or notice sparks, stop immediately, unplug the air fryer, and don’t resume cooking until you’ve identified the problem. Light smoking from fatty foods is manageable with the quick fixes above. Unusual smoke types require investigation before continuing.
Does air fryer smoking affect food safety?
Smoke from burning grease or residue doesn’t make your food unsafe to eat, but it can affect flavor—food may taste slightly burnt or have an off flavor from the smoke. The food itself is still safe at proper internal temperatures. However, if you’re seeing heavy smoking from old residue buildup, it’s best to clean thoroughly and restart cooking rather than continuing. Fresh smoke from the current batch of food cooking is fine; smoke from burnt residue from previous meals should be cleaned before eating.
More Quick Air Fryer Fixes
If your air fryer is smoking, you might also benefit from these resources:
Air Fryer Tips & Mastery – Learn proper cleaning techniques, temperature control, and maintenance to prevent common problems like smoking.
Quick Air Fryer Dinners – Find recipes optimized for minimal smoke and easy cleanup, perfect for everyday cooking.
Air Fryer Recipes for Busy Moms – Explore our complete guide to stress-free air fryer cooking with tips for avoiding common issues.
