Air fryers completely changed how I cook for my family. What started as a small kitchen gadget quickly became one of the tools I use almost every day.
But here's something I didn't realize at first: the right air fryer accessories make a huge difference. They help food cook more evenly, prevent sticking, and make cleanup much easier.
Over the past few years I've tested quite a few tools, and these are the air fryer accessories I actually use in my own kitchen. If you love quick weeknight meals, crispy vegetables, and easy cleanup, these simple tools can make your air fryer even more useful.
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If you use your air fryer often, you can also browse my Amazon storefront with my favorite air fryer tools and kitchen gadgets here, where I've collected many of the accessories I personally use.
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My Favorite Air Fryer Accessory
If I had to recommend just one air fryer accessory, it would be reusable silicone basket liners.
They prevent food from sticking, make cleanup incredibly easy, and work for almost everything - chicken, fish, roasted vegetables, and even reheated leftovers.
I use mine almost every time I cook because it saves so much scrubbing afterward.
Best Air Fryer Accessories at a Glance
| Accessory | Best For | Why I Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone Basket Liners | Easy cleanup | Prevents sticking and saves time washing |
| Stackable Racks | Cooking multiple foods | Doubles cooking space |
| Silicone Molds | Muffins and egg bites | Perfect for small portions |
| Grill Pan | Chicken and salmon | Creates nice sear marks |
| Perforated Parchment | Fries and shrimp | Prevents sticking while keeping airflow |
| Silicone Mats | Counter protection | Protects surfaces from hot baskets |
| Tongs and Spatulas | Safe flipping | Makes handling food easier |
1. Air Fryer Basket Liners
Buy Now → 
Silicone Air Fryer Liners for Ninja
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Air Fryer Parchment Paper Liners
Buy Now →Reusable silicone basket liners prevent sticking and make cleanup much easier. They're especially helpful for delicate foods like fish or roasted vegetables.
I place the liner in the basket, preheat for 3 to 5 minutes, then add the food. Check also alternatives: paper liners.
Best for: fish, roasted vegetables, dumplings, sticky sauces.
Why I like it: It saves me from scrubbing the basket after cooking sticky foods like glazed chicken or salmon.
⭐ Most Used in My Kitchen
Reusable silicone basket liners are by far the accessory I use the most. They prevent sticking, help food cook evenly, and save a lot of cleanup time.
If you're only buying one accessory, start with this one.
These are the same air fryer accessories I use regularly when making recipes like air fryer chicken wings, roasted vegetables, and salmon.
2. Air Fryer Racks
Stackable racks let you cook multiple foods at once without overcrowding the basket. Air circulates better, so everything cooks more evenly.
I use them for wings, chicken tenders, or roasted vegetables when cooking for the whole family.
Buy Now → Best for: wings, nuggets, vegetables, meal prep.
Why I like it: It basically doubles the cooking space inside the air fryer.
3. Baking Pans and Silicone Molds
Mini silicone molds are perfect for cornbread, muffins, egg bites, or small desserts.
I lightly spray them with olive oil, add the batter, and cook at 320°F for 10 to 15 minutes depending on the recipe.
They're also great for single-serve desserts or savory snacks.
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → Best for: muffins, egg bites, mini cakes, and cornbread.
Why I like it: Great for quick breakfasts and portion-controlled snacks.
4. Air Fryer Grill Pan
The grill pan is my go-to accessory for indoor grilling. The raised ridges create a nice sear while allowing excess fat to drip away.
Chicken breasts, salmon fillets, and veggie kabobs cook perfectly in about 5 to 7 minutes per side.
Buy Now → 
Air Fryer Grill Pan for COSORI
Buy Now →Best for: chicken, salmon, vegetables.
Why I like it: It gives food a grilled texture without needing an outdoor grill.
5. Tongs and Spatulas
Silicone-tipped tongs and heat-resistant spatulas make handling hot food safer. They help flip wings, nuggets, or fries without scratching the basket coating.
I keep a dedicated pair just for the air fryer.
Kitchen Tongs with Silicone Tips
Buy Now →Best for: flipping delicate foods and removing hot items.
Why I like it: Prevents damaging the air fryer basket.
6. Perforated Parchment Paper
Perforated parchment paper is ideal for fries, roasted potatoes, shrimp, or anything that may stick.
The small holes allow proper airflow, which helps food crisp evenly.
It also keeps the basket cleaner.
Air Fryer Perforated Parchment Paper
Buy Now →Best for: fries, shrimp, roasted potatoes, dumplings.
Why I like it: Makes cleanup easier while still allowing crisping.
7. Silicone Mats and Trivets
Silicone mats and trivets protect countertops from heat and spills.
I place hot baskets or molds on them immediately after cooking.
They're especially helpful when preparing multiple dishes at once.
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → Best for: protecting counters and serving hot food.
Why I like it: No more worrying about damaging kitchen surfaces.
8. Oil Spray Bottle
A refillable oil spray bottle is one of the easiest ways to add a light coating of oil before air frying. This helps food crisp nicely without using too much oil.
I use it for vegetables, potatoes, and homemade fries. A quick spray before cooking makes a big difference in texture.
Buy Now → Best for: fries, roasted vegetables, chicken, and shrimp.
Why I like it: It helps food crisp evenly while using much less oil than pouring from a bottle.
9. Meat Thermometer
A digital meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of air fryer cooking, especially for chicken, steak, and pork.
Because air fryers cook quickly, food can go from perfectly done to overcooked in just a couple minutes. Checking the internal temperature helps ensure the meat is cooked safely without drying it out.
Alpha Grillers Digital Thermometer
Buy Now →Best for: chicken breasts, steak, pork chops, and salmon.
Why I like it: It prevents overcooking and helps me get perfectly juicy meat every time.
10. Air Fryer Skewers
Metal skewers designed for air fryers make it easy to cook kebabs inside the basket. The elevated rack design allows air to circulate around the food.
I like using them for chicken kebabs, shrimp, and vegetables.
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Buy Now → Can you use wooden skewers for air fryer?
Yes, you can use wooden skewers in an air fryer, but soak them in water for about 20-30 minutes first to prevent burning. Make sure they fit fully inside the basket and don't touch the heating element.
Best for: chicken skewers, shrimp kabobs, and veggie skewers.
Why I like it: It turns the air fryer into a mini indoor grill.
11. Air Fryer Egg Bite Mold
Silicone egg bite molds are great for making quick breakfasts in the air fryer. You can mix eggs with vegetables, cheese, or cooked bacon and cook them in small portions.
Silicone Air Fryer Egg Bite Molds
Buy Now →They're also useful for mini desserts, pancakes, or frozen treats.
Best for: egg bites, mini frittatas, muffins, and small desserts.
Why I like it: Perfect for meal prep and quick breakfasts.
Are Air Fryer Accessories Worth It?
Some accessories truly improve cooking results, while others are unnecessary.
The ones I use most often are:
• silicone basket liners for easy cleanup
• stackable racks for cooking multiple foods
• silicone molds for quick breakfasts and snacks
If you use your air fryer several times a week, these accessories can make cooking faster and easier.
Air Fryer Accessories You Probably Don't Need
Not every accessory is useful. Some take up space without adding much value.
Accessories I rarely use include:
• oversized baking pans that block airflow
• multi-layer racks that overcrowd the basket
• complicated rotisserie attachments
Keeping accessories simple usually works best.
Air Fryer Cooking Tips
- Preheat when possible. A few minutes of preheating helps food crisp faster.
- Don't overcrowd. Leave space between foods so hot air circulates.
- Shake or flip halfway. This helps everything cook evenly.
- Use a light coating of oil. A small amount improves crispiness.
- Check food early. Air fryer models vary, so start checking a few minutes before the recipe suggests.
Air Fryer Safety Tips
- Avoid parchment paper during preheating.
- Always leave space around food for proper airflow.
- Never use plastic accessories unless labeled heat-safe.
- Do not use oversized pans that block the fan.
Common Air Fryer Accessory Mistakes
Even helpful accessories can cause problems if used incorrectly.
- Using parchment paper while preheating - loose paper can fly into the heating element.
- Overloading stackable racks - too much food blocks airflow.
- Using liners without holes - airflow is essential for crisping.
- Buying accessories that are too large - oversized pans slow cooking.
Foods These Accessories Make Easier to Cook
These tools make cooking many air fryer meals easier:
FAQ
Yes, as long as they're heat-resistant up to about 400°F.
For baked items, cooking time may increase by 1 to 2 minutes. For fries or chicken, there's usually no difference.
Yes, as long as they fit properly and don't block airflow.
Soak them in warm, soapy water. Most silicone accessories are dishwasher safe. Metal racks are best hand-washed to prevent rust.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you enjoy cooking with an air fryer, you might also like these recipes:
Final Thoughts
Air fryers are already one of the easiest ways to cook quick meals, but the right accessories make them even more useful.
From simple basket liners to stackable racks and silicone molds, these tools help you cook more food, keep cleanup easy, and get better results.
If you use your air fryer often like I do, a few of these accessories are definitely worth adding to your kitchen.
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