It is the perforated tray that sits in the bottom of the basket. It lifts food off the drawer floor so hot air reaches underneath and fat drains away. Without it, food sits in its own grease and steams instead of crisping.
What it does
Lifts the food. Air circulates under as well as over it, so the bottom crisps too.
Drains the fat. Grease drips through the holes into the drawer below, away from the food.
Spreads the airflow. The pattern of holes is part of how the fan’s air moves round the basket.
What makers call it
Crisper plate, crisper tray, grill plate, rack or basket insert — the job is the same. In an air-fry toaster oven, the mesh air-fry tray does it; the BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 ships with one.
When to use it, and when not
In, for anything you want crisp. Out, for a dish, pan or ramekin, which sits better on the drawer floor. The full guide: do I have to use the crisper plate.
What defeats it
Foil or a solid liner over the holes. See do air fryer liners block the airflow and can I use aluminum foil in an air fryer.
Looking after it
It is the part most scraped and most lifted out. Soak, then a soft sponge or brush; no steel wool, no metal utensils. Clean it warm, when grease releases. Check the rubber feet. Replace it when the coating flakes — see coatings and what kills them and the parts that wear first.
Check your own manual before you follow anything here. Temperatures, fill limits and pressure ratings differ from model to model, and the manufacturer’s figures take precedence over anything written on this site. We report what makers publish — an oven’s range in degrees, a cooker’s maximum fill line, whether a part is declared dishwasher-safe — and we never turn those figures into food-safety guidance. Cooking temperatures and holding times for particular foods are set by manufacturers and by your national food safety authority, and this site points you to them rather than restating them.
What readers want to know
How do I clean an air fryer crisper plate?
Soak it in hot, soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes, then wipe with a soft sponge or brush — a soft bottle brush gets into the holes. Many plates are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing keeps a nonstick coating longer; check your manual. For baked-on grease, a paste of baking soda and water, left for 15 minutes, then a soft brush. Never use steel wool.
What are the rubber bits on the crisper plate?
Small rubber or silicone feet or bumpers on many plates. They hold the plate off the drawer floor, stop it sliding and rattling, and protect the coating. Keep them on; if one falls off, the plate can scratch the drawer — makers usually sell replacements, and some plates come with spares.
Can I replace a crisper plate?
Yes — most makers sell replacement plates by model number, and third-party plates exist for popular models. Replace one when the coating flakes or peels: flaking nonstick should not be cooked on. Match the model number exactly, because plate sizes differ even within a brand.
Last reviewed 18 October 2026