An air fryer is considered a convenient and safe kitchen appliance that allows you to cook meals using very little oil. If you’re new to air fryers and still learning how they work, check out our guide on what an air fryer is and how it works. During use, many people encounter an unexpected issue — the air fryer starts smoking while it’s running. This can be worrying and may raise concerns about whether the appliance is working properly.
Smoke can sometimes be harmless, but knowing when it becomes a safety issue is key to preventing damage or injury. Proper placement and airflow around the appliance also play a role in preventing smoke — this guide explains where to place your air fryer for safe operation.
In this article, we’ll explain why an air fryer may smoke, outline the most common causes, clarify when smoke is normal and when it’s a reason to pay closer attention, and share practical tips to help prevent this issue in the future.
Let’s take a look at the main reasons why an air fryer may produce smoke:
Food residue left on the tray from previous use
If your air fryer is smoking during operation, one of the most common reasons is leftover grease or food residue on the tray from a previous cooking session. When heated, these residues begin to burn, producing white smoke. In this situation, it’s best to stop cooking immediately and thoroughly clean the tray.
Regular cleaning is essential — follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean an air fryer basket to remove grease safely without damaging the coating.
If the air fryer powers on but no longer produces heat after smoking, the problem may not be residue at all. In that case, it might is well be your air fryer heating issues.
To prevent your air fryer from smoking in the future, regularly clean the tray, basket, and heating element after each use. Proper maintenance helps prevent smoke, unpleasant odors, and also extends the lifespan of the appliance.
Lightweight ingredients touching the heating element
The heating element in an air fryer is located at the top of the unit. During cooking, the powerful airflow can lift lightweight foods — such as toast, vegetable chips, or fruit chips — and push them toward the heating element. When food particles come into contact with it, they can burn and cause smoke. Once the air fryer has completely cooled, carefully remove any residue — this guide explains how to clean the heating element safely.
To prevent smoking when cooking lightweight ingredients, it’s recommended to use accessories designed for your specific air fryer model. These accessories help keep food in place and reduce contact with the heating element, which is especially important when drying, toasting, or preparing light snacks. You can also use parchment paper correctly — learn how you can use parchment paper in an air fryer without blocking airflow.
Cooking foods with high fat content
If your air fryer smokes while cooking foods high in fat, the cause is often excess grease collecting at the bottom of the tray. In this case, pause the cooking process and carefully remove the excess oil using paper towels or drain it off, then resume cooking.
Some users place aluminum foil under fatty foods to catch grease, but it must be used carefully — here’s when and how aluminum foil can be used safely in an air fryer.
If you frequently cook fatty foods, consider using air fryer accessories made for your model. They help control grease splatter, reduce oil reaching the heating element, and lower the risk of smoke during cooking. If your air fryer sometimes smokes while cooking pizza, our frozen pizza guide shares simple tricks to prevent smoke and still get a delicious, evenly cooked pizza.
Breading or coating falling off the food
Thin or poorly attached breading can also cause white smoke in an air fryer. Small crumbs and coating particles may fall off the food, land on the heating element, and burn. To prevent this, make sure the breading is firmly attached and not flaking off during cooking.
Shaking the basket too aggressively can also loosen breading and increase the chance of smoke.
The air fryer is too small
If your air fryer basket is too small, cooking at high temperatures can be challenging. Overfilling a small basket restricts airflow and can negatively affect cooking performance. Instead of upgrading immediately, try cooking in smaller batches and spacing food evenly to maintain proper air circulation. Always leave enough space between foods to allow proper air circulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for an air fryer to smoke?
Light smoke can be normal when cooking very fatty foods like bacon or sausages. However, continuous or heavy smoke is not normal and should be addressed immediately.
Can grease buildup cause an air fryer to smoke?
Yes. Old grease and food debris in the basket, tray, or bottom of the unit can burn and create smoke. Regular cleaning is the most effective way to prevent smoking.
Why does my air fryer smoke when cooking chicken or bacon?
Chicken with skin and fatty meats release grease that can drip onto hot surfaces and smoke. Using a drip tray, removing excess fat, or adding a small amount of water to the tray (if allowed by your model) can help.
Why does my air fryer smoke at high temperatures?
Higher temperatures increase the chance of oil burning or residue igniting. If smoking occurs at high heat, lower the temperature and check for grease buildup.
Why does my air fryer smoke only when reheating food?
Reheated food often releases leftover oils and moisture, which can burn faster than fresh food. Reheating at lower temperatures reduces smoke.
Is air fryer smoke dangerous?
Occasional light smoke isn’t usually dangerous, but persistent smoke may indicate a fire risk or damaged non-stick coating. Turn off the air fryer if smoke continues.
Conclusion
If an air fryer smokes during operation, the cause is usually not a malfunction but rather cooking habits or maintenance issues. Grease and food residue, lightweight ingredients, loose breading, or an overcrowded basket can all lead to white smoke and unpleasant odors.
Excess smoke often causes internal temperature sensors to trigger an automatic shutdown. If your air fryer stops working right after it starts smoking, this breakdown explains why air fryers turn off and how to prevent it.
Regular cleaning, proper basket loading, controlling the amount of fat, and using the right accessories can help prevent smoke and ensure safe, efficient cooking. When used correctly, an air fryer should operate smoothly and deliver great results without unnecessary smoke.
Using the right air fryer model, like those in our best air fryer for pizza guide, helps prevent smoke and ensures even cooking for all your favourite dishes. Many smoking issues can also be avoided by choosing a model with better airflow, grease management, and temperature control — which is why understanding how to choose the right air fryer matters before upgrading.
