🍟 7 Must-Have Air Fryer Accessories for Perfect Results Every Time
You bought an air fryer. You made crispy fries. You felt like a genius.
But after a few weeks, you've probably noticed some frustrations: food sticking to the basket, uneven cooking, or the dreaded cleanup. The good news? Most of these problems are solved with a few inexpensive accessories.
I've tested dozens of air fryer add-ons over the past year, and most are gimmicks. But these 7 accessories genuinely improve your results and make the air fryer experience so much better.
Note: These accessories are compatible with most 4-8 quart air fryers. Always check your model's basket dimensions before purchasing.
📊 The Quick Comparison: What's Worth Your Money?
| Accessory | Price Range | Problem It Solves | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone Liners | $8-15 | Sticking, cleanup | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Essential) |
| Oil Mister | $10-20 | Uneven browning, excess oil | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Essential) |
| Parchment Liners | $8-12 | Quick cleanup, delicate foods | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Useful) |
| Rack Insert | $15-25 | Limited capacity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Useful) |
| Meat Thermometer | $12-20 | Overcooked/undercooked meat | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Essential) |
| Cleaning Brush Set | $8-12 | Stuck-on grease | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Useful) |
| Accessory Kit | $25-40 | Everything above | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best Value) |
🏆 The Essential 7: Accessories That Actually Matter
1. Silicone Air Fryer Liners (The #1 Must-Have) 👑
The Problem It Solves: Food sticking to the basket, difficult cleanup, scratched non-stick coating.
Why It's Essential: These reusable silicone liners sit in your air fryer basket, creating a non-stick surface that's 100x easier to clean than scrubbing the basket directly. They're heat-resistant up to 450°F (230°C) and dishwasher-safe.
Key Benefits:
- Prevents food from sticking (no more lost chicken skin!)
- Protects your basket's non-stick coating
- Reusable 1,000+ times (eco-friendly)
- Dishwasher safe
- Perforated for proper air circulation
Pro Tip: Buy a 2-pack so you always have a clean one ready while the other is in the dishwasher.
2. Oil Mister/Sprayer (The Crispiness Secret)
The Problem It Solves: Uneven browning, soggy spots, using too much oil.
Why It's Essential: Commercial cooking sprays contain propellants and additives. A refillable oil mister lets you use your own healthy oil (avocado, olive) with a fine, even mist that uses 80% less oil than pouring.
Key Benefits:
- Even coating = even browning
- Use any oil you want (no propellants or chemicals)
- Control your calories precisely
- Works for air frying, grilling, baking
- One pump = approximately 1 calorie
Pro Tip: Fill with avocado oil for the best high-heat results (smoke point of 520°F).
3. Perforated Parchment Paper Liners (The Disposable Option)
The Problem It Solves: Messy foods (cheese, marinades), quick cleanup when you're in a rush.
Why It's Useful: Sometimes you don't want to wash anything—you just want to toss the liner and be done. These pre-cut, perforated parchment papers are perfect for messy foods like cheese-covered nachos or sticky teriyaki chicken.
Key Benefits:
- Zero cleanup (just toss the liner)
- Pre-cut to fit standard air fryer baskets
- Perforated holes maintain airflow
- Perfect for foods with cheese or sticky sauces
- 100-pack lasts months
When to Use Parchment vs. Silicone:
- Parchment: Messy foods, marinades, cheese
- Silicone: Everyday cooking, reusability priority
Pro Tip: Only add the parchment AFTER preheating. If you add it empty, the paper can fly up and touch the heating element.
4. Stainless Steel Rack Insert (Double Your Capacity)
The Problem It Solves: Not enough space, having to cook in batches.
Why It's Useful: A rack insert creates a second "layer" in your air fryer, effectively doubling your cooking capacity. Perfect for cooking proteins on top and vegetables on the bottom, or making twice as many wings for game day.
Key Benefits:
- Cook two layers of food simultaneously
- Stainless steel (no chemicals, lasts forever)
- Works as a dehydrator rack too
- Dishwasher safe
- Stackable design for storage
Best Uses:
- Bacon on top, veggies on bottom
- Multiple servings of chicken wings
- Reheating leftovers (pizza on rack, fries below)
5. Skewer Rack (The Kebab Master)
The Problem It Solves: Kebabs rolling around, uneven cooking on all sides.
Why It's Useful: This vertical skewer rack holds kebabs upright so hot air circulates around ALL sides evenly. No more flipping, no more flat spots. Perfect for chicken satay, beef kebabs, or vegetable skewers.
Key Benefits:
- Even cooking on all sides
- No flipping required
- Holds 6-8 skewers at once
- Removable stand for easy cleaning
- Also works for corn on the cob!
Recipe Idea: Marinate chicken thigh chunks in coconut aminos, thread onto skewers, air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes. Restaurant-quality satay at home!
6. Instant-Read Meat Thermometer (The Guesswork Eliminator)
The Problem It Solves: Overcooked dry chicken, undercooked unsafe pork, anxiety about "is it done?"
Why It's Essential: Air fryers cook fast, which means the difference between "perfect" and "overdone" can be 2 minutes. An instant-read thermometer removes all guesswork.
Key Benefits:
- Reads temperature in 3-4 seconds
- Waterproof (easy to clean)
- Backlit display for easy reading
- Auto-shutoff to save battery
- Works for meat, oil temp, candy making
Target Temperatures (USDA Safe):
| Meat | Target Temp |
|---|---|
| Chicken (breast/thigh) | 165°F (74°C) |
| Pork | 145°F (63°C) |
| Beef (medium) | 145°F (63°C) |
| Ground meat | 160°F (71°C) |
Pro Tip: Check temp 2-3 minutes BEFORE the recipe says it's done. Air fryers are powerful!
7. Cleaning Brush Set (The Maintenance Kit)
The Problem It Solves: Stuck-on grease in basket holes, gunk around heating element.
Why It's Useful: Regular sponges can't reach into the small holes of an air fryer basket. These specialized brushes have angled bristles and narrow heads designed specifically for air fryer nooks and crannies.
Key Benefits:
- Angled brush heads reach into basket perforations
- Soft bristles won't scratch non-stick coating
- Multiple sizes for basket, tray, and element
- Long handle keeps hands away from grease
- Includes detail brushes for tight spots
Cleaning Routine:
- Wipe basket with paper towel after each use
- Deep clean with brush set weekly
- Never use metal scrapers (damages coating)
🎁 Best Value: All-in-One Accessory Kits
If you want multiple accessories at once, an accessory kit offers the best value (typically 30-40% cheaper than buying separately).
7-Piece Air Fryer Accessory Kit
What's Included:
- Silicone liners (multiple sizes)
- Rack insert
- Silicone tongs
- Silicone brush
- Recipe guide
Why It's Great for Beginners: If you just bought an air fryer and want to maximize it immediately, this kit has everything you need in one purchase.
🔧 Bonus Tools for Power Users
Already have the essentials? These extras take your air frying to the next level:
Silicone Tongs (Heat-Resistant)
Why You Need Them: Regular metal tongs can scratch your air fryer basket's non-stick coating. These silicone-tipped tongs are heat-resistant to 480°F and grip food without damaging your basket.
Silicone Baking Cups
Why You Need Them: Perfect for making egg bites, mini frittatas, or individual desserts in your air fryer. Reusable, flexible, and pop right out.
Recipe Idea: Whisk 2 eggs, add cheese and veggies, pour into silicone cups, air fry at 300°F for 10-12 minutes. Meal prep breakfast for the week!
Grill Pan Insert
Why You Need It: Creates grill marks on steaks, burgers, and vegetables. The raised ridges lift food above drippings for crispier results and that classic "grilled" look.
📚 Level Up Your Recipes
The Easy Air Fryer Recipe Book
Why Every Air Fryer Owner Needs This: Most people use their air fryer for fries and chicken nuggets. This cookbook opens up a world of possibilities—from breakfast to dessert, with timing and temperature charts for every recipe.
What You'll Learn:
- Perfect timing for every protein
- How to "roast" vegetables in 10 minutes
- Air fryer desserts (yes, cookies and cakes!)
- Meal prep strategies
- International recipes adapted for air frying
[Get It on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Air-Fryer-Recipe-Book/dp/B0578259133?tag=kaibigan-20)
❌ What NOT to Buy (Save Your Money)
Not all accessories are worth it. Skip these:
Avoid:
- Pizza pans without holes - Block airflow, pizza won't crisp
- Tiny silicone cups (under 2") - Too small to be useful
- Bamboo steamers - Air fryers are for crisping, not steaming
- "Universal fit" racks - Often don't actually fit
- Cheap metal accessories - Scratch non-stick coating
Red Flags:
- No size specifications listed
- Reviews mention "doesn't fit my air fryer"
- Material not specified (could be cheap plastic)
- No temperature rating (might melt!)
📏 Compatibility Guide
Before buying, measure your air fryer basket:
| Air Fryer Size | Basket Dimensions | Accessory Size Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 Quart | 6-7 inches | Small (6" liners) |
| 5-6 Quart | 8-9 inches | Medium (8" liners) |
| 7-8 Quart | 9-10 inches | Large (9" liners) |
| 10+ Quart | 10-12 inches | XL (check product specs) |
Popular Models & Sizes:
- Ninja Air Fryer (4qt): 8" accessories
- Instant Pot Vortex Plus (6qt): 8" accessories
- COSORI Pro (5.8qt): 8" accessories
- Ninja Foodi (8qt): 9" accessories
🛍️ Quick Shopping List
The Essentials (Start Here):
- Silicone Liners - $10
- Oil Mister - $15
- Meat Thermometer - $15
Total: ~$40 (transforms your air fryer experience)
The Complete Setup:
- Parchment Liners - $10
- Rack Insert - $18
- Cleaning Brush Set - $10
- Air Fryer Cookbook - $15
Total: ~$100 (everything you need for pro-level results)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I really need accessories, or is the air fryer enough on its own?
The air fryer works fine alone, but accessories solve real problems: sticking, uneven cooking, limited capacity, and difficult cleanup. Start with silicone liners and an oil mister—they make the biggest difference.
Q: Will accessories work in my specific air fryer model?
Most accessories are designed for common sizes (8-9 inch baskets). Always measure your basket before purchasing and check the product dimensions.
Q: Silicone liners vs. parchment paper—which is better?
Silicone liners are reusable (better for environment and wallet), but require washing. Parchment liners are disposable (zero cleanup), but create ongoing waste. Use silicone for everyday cooking, parchment for messy foods.
Q: Can I use regular parchment paper instead of perforated liners?
You can, but you must poke holes yourself for airflow. Pre-perforated liners are easier and safer. Never use wax paper (it will melt and smoke!).
Q: How often should I deep clean my air fryer?
Wipe the basket after every use. Deep clean with brushes once a week if you use it daily, or once a month for occasional use.
Q: Are silicone accessories safe at high temperatures?
Quality food-grade silicone is safe up to 450-480°F. Check the product specifications. Avoid cheap silicone without temperature ratings.
🔗 Related Guides
Now that you have the right accessories, level up your air fryer game:
- Deep Fry vs. Air Fry Conversion Guide - Convert any fried recipe to air fryer
- Butter vs. Ghee vs. Oil: Best Fats for Air Frying - Which oils work best
- Cauliflower Rice vs. Quinoa - Healthy side dishes for air fried proteins
- Rice Alternatives Ranked - More low-carb sides
📊 About Our Recommendations
We independently research and test products before recommending them. Our criteria:
- 4.0+ star rating on Amazon (verified purchases)
- 1,000+ reviews (proven reliability)
- Clear compatibility information (fits most air fryers)
- Quality materials (food-grade silicone, stainless steel)
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely believe will improve your air frying experience!
🌟 The Bottom Line
You don't need dozens of accessories—just the right ones. Start with the Big 3 (silicone liners, oil mister, meat thermometer) and you'll immediately notice better results and easier cleanup.
Once you're hooked, add a rack insert to double your capacity and a cookbook to expand your recipe repertoire.
Your air fryer is capable of so much more than frozen fries. The right accessories unlock its full potential.
Happy air frying! 🍟
About the Author
This article was written by Ant Real, the founder of SwapHealthy. As a parent, home cook, and developer, Ant is passionate about making healthy eating accessible and delicious for everyone. He created SwapHealthy to share his personal journey and the science-based swaps his family uses to enjoy their favorite foods in a healthier way.