Some air fryer accessories make cooking easier. Others end up forgotten in the back of a drawer. Here’s how to tell the difference before you spend your money.
The best air fryer accessories aren’t something anyone thinks about when buying their first air fryer.
Personally, I was too excited about making crispy fries and chicken wings to worry about extra gadgets.
A few weeks later, I started browsing online and suddenly discovered dozens of accessories that promised to transform my cooking.
Pizza pans.
Egg bite molds.
Cake barrels.
Toast racks.
Silicone cups.
I almost convinced myself I needed all of them.
Thankfully, I didn’t.
After trying a few and ignoring many others, I realized something important.
You only need a handful of must-have air fryer accessories to make your air fryer even more useful. Everything else is optional.
Do You Really Need Air Fryer Accessories?
No, but the right air fryer accessories can make cooking more convenient and expand what you can prepare.
Your air fryer works perfectly well straight out of the box.
You don’t need dozens of extras to enjoy it.
But after using one for a while, you’ll probably discover a few situations where an accessory saves time or makes cleanup much easier.
For me, that was reusable silicone liners.
Cleaning sticky barbecue sauce out of the basket became much less of a chore, and I found myself reaching for the air fryer even more often.
That’s when I realized that useful air fryer accessories are definitely something one shouldn’t ignore when they are shopping next.
Silicone Air Fryer Liners
Best for Easy Cleanup
If you buy just one accessory, make it a reusable silicone liner.
I used to think these were unnecessary.
Then I cooked marinated chicken.
Instead of scrubbing baked-on sauce out of the basket, I simply washed the liner.
That alone made it worth owning.
Silicone liners also help protect the basket’s nonstick coating from scratches caused by utensils.
Why You’ll Love It
- Makes cleanup easier
- Reusable
- Dishwasher safe
- Protects the basket
- Available in different sizes
Things to Consider
- Always choose the correct size.
- Don’t block airflow by using oversized liners.
Click here to buy silicone air fryer liners on Amazon
2. Parchment Paper Liners
Best for Sticky Foods
Parchment paper liners are one of the most useful air fryer accessories when cooking foods that leave behind sticky residue.
I keep a pack in my kitchen for one reason.
Honey-glazed chicken.
Without them, cleaning the basket takes much longer.
With them, most of the mess disappears when you throw the liner away.
Just remember one important rule.
Never preheat your air fryer with parchment paper inside unless food is holding it down. Loose paper can blow into the heating element.
Why You’ll Love It
- Disposable
- Makes cleanup quick
- Great for sticky foods
- Inexpensive
Things to Consider
- Use only while cooking food.
- Buy liners made specifically for air fryers.
3. Multi-Layer Air Fryer Rack
Best for Cooking More Food
An air fryer rack helps you cook multiple foods at the same time by adding another level inside the basket.
One complaint I hear all the time is that air fryers don’t hold enough food.
A simple rack helps solve that problem.
Instead of cooking everything in one layer, you can prepare vegetables underneath while another food cooks above.
It’s mainly useful when you’re preparing meals for more than one person.
Why You’ll Love It
- Adds extra cooking space
- Great for meal prep
- Stainless steel
- Easy to clean
Things to Consider
- Make sure it’s compatible with your air fryer model.
- Leave enough room for proper airflow.
Click here to buy a multi-level air fryer rack on Amazon
4. Air Fryer Baking Pan
Best for Cakes, Brownies, and Casseroles
A baking pan is one of the best air fryer accessories if you want to make more than fries and chicken.
I’ll be honest.
The first time someone told me they baked a cake in an air fryer, I laughed.
Then curiosity got the better of me.
A few weeks later, I was pulling warm brownies out of my air fryer, wondering why I hadn’t tried it sooner.
A small baking pan opens up a whole new list of recipes, from cinnamon rolls and lasagna to breakfast casseroles and fruit crisps.
If you enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, this is one accessory you’ll use far more than you expect.
Why You’ll Love It
- Great for baking desserts
- Perfect for casseroles
- Easy to clean
- Fits neatly inside most baskets
- Expands your recipe options
Things to Consider
- Measure your basket before buying.
- Choose heavy-duty, food-safe materials.
Click here to buy an air fryer baking pan on Amazon
5. Stainless Steel Skewers
Best for Kebabs and Grilled Vegetables
If you enjoy making kebabs, shrimp, or grilled vegetables, stainless steel skewers are must-have air fryer accessories.
Before I bought a set, I assumed skewers were only useful on the barbecue.
Turns out, they work beautifully in an air fryer too.
Chicken cooks evenly.
Vegetables caramelize nicely.
Shrimp stay perfectly in place instead of rolling around the basket.
They’re simple, inexpensive, and versatile.
Why You’ll Love It
- Great for kebabs
- Reusable
- Easy to clean
- Perfect for vegetables and seafood
- Durable stainless steel
Things to Consider
- Make sure they’re the correct length for your basket.
- Avoid overcrowding it so hot air can circulate properly.
Click here to buy Stainless Steel Skewers on Amazon
6. Silicone Tongs
Best for Protecting the Nonstick Basket
Silicone tongs are one of the most useful air fryer accessories because they help protect the nonstick coating while making it easier to handle hot food.
I learned this lesson the expensive way.
I grabbed a pair of regular metal tongs without thinking and heard that awful scraping sound against the basket.
Thankfully, it didn’t leave a deep scratch, but it reminded me how easy it is to damage a nonstick surface.
Since switching to silicone tongs, I don’t worry about flipping chicken, turning vegetables, or removing delicate foods.
Why You’ll Love It
- Safe for nonstick coatings
- Heat resistant
- Comfortable grip
- Great for flipping food
- Affordable
Things to Consider
- Choose food-grade silicone.
- Avoid oversized tongs that don’t fit inside the basket comfortably.
Which Air Fryer Accessories Can You Skip?
Not every air fryer accessory deserves a place in your kitchen.
It’s easy to get caught up in buying an entire air fryer accessory kit, especially when everything looks useful in the photos.
I’ve been there.
But after looking through dozens of products, I realized many of them spend more time sitting in a drawer than helping with dinner.
Here’s what I would skip unless you know you’ll use them.
Accessory | Why You Can Skip It | Better Alternative |
Egg bite mold | Limited use | Small baking pan |
Pizza pan | Basket works for most frozen pizzas | Baking pan |
Toast rack | Rarely needed | Standard cooking basket |
Buying fewer, higher-quality air fryer accessories usually gives you much better value than purchasing a huge kit filled with items you’ll never touch.
How to Choose the Right Air Fryer Accessories
The best air fryer accessories are the ones that fit both your air fryer and the way you cook.
Before adding anything to your cart, ask yourself a few simple questions.
Question | Why It Matters | Recommendation |
Does it fit my air fryer? | Sizes vary between brands | Measure your basket first |
Will I use it regularly? | Avoid clutter | Buy only what solves a real problem |
Is it food-safe? | Safety comes first | Choose BPA-free silicone or stainless steel |
It’s tempting to buy every gadget at once, but I’d start with a silicone liner, a pair of silicone tongs, and a baking pan.
Those are the accessories I reach for most often.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need air fryer accessories?
Not necessarily.
Your air fryer works perfectly well on its own, but the right accessories can make cleanup easier and help you cook a wider variety of meals.
Are silicone liners safe for air fryers?
Yes, provided they’re made from food-grade silicone and designed for air fryer use. Always make sure they don’t block airflow inside the basket.
Can I use regular baking pans in an air fryer?
Yes, as long as the pan fits comfortably inside your basket and leaves enough space for hot air to circulate.
Are air fryer accessory kits worth buying?
Sometimes.
A small air fryer accessory kit can be a good value if you’ll use most of the items, but many larger kits include gadgets that rarely get used.
What’s the first accessory I should buy?
If I could recommend only one, it would be a reusable silicone liner. It makes cleanup much easier and helps protect the basket’s nonstick coating.
Conclusion
The best air fryer accessories make cooking easier every single week.
For me, that’s a silicone liner, silicone tongs, a baking pan, and a sturdy cooking rack. They save time, simplify cleanup, and help me get even more out of an appliance I already use all the time.
If you’re just getting started, don’t feel pressured to buy everything at once. Start with a few must-have air fryer accessories, see what fits your cooking style, and add more only if you truly need them.
And if you’re still looking for the right air fryer, don’t miss my guide to the Best Air Fryers of 2026, where I compare the top models for every budget, family size, and kitchen.
Sources:
Consumer Reports – Air Fryer Buying Guide