12 Best Air Fryer Accessories Worth Buying

A great air fryer earns its place on the counter because it makes everyday cooking feel faster, lighter, and far less fussy. The best air fryer accessories take that convenience further, helping you create everything from beautifully browned salmon to individual cakes without turning cleanup into another chore. The right additions are not about filling a drawer with gadgets. They are about giving a hardworking appliance more range, better results, and a refined place in your kitchen routine.

Before choosing anything, start with your air fryer’s interior dimensions and style. A compact basket model needs smaller, flexible pieces, while an oven-style air fryer can accommodate racks, pans, and larger baking dishes. Measure the usable cooking area, not just the exterior appliance, and leave enough room for hot air to circulate. That circulation is the detail behind the signature crisp finish.

The Best Air Fryer Accessories for Everyday Cooking

1. Silicone Air Fryer Liners

Reusable silicone liners are one of the most practical upgrades for busy kitchens. Their raised ridges help keep food out of excess oil while protecting the basket from sticky marinades, melted cheese, and baked-on residue. Choose a food-grade silicone liner with handles that make it easier to lift out after cooking.

The trade-off is airflow. A liner with very high sides or a solid, flat bottom can slightly reduce crispness, especially with foods such as fries or wings. Look for a design with channels or perforations, and reserve it for saucy recipes, vegetables, and quick weeknight meals when easy cleanup matters most.

2. Perforated Parchment Paper Liners

For a nearly effortless cleanup after cooking delicate fish, glazed chicken, or small batches of snacks, perforated parchment liners are a smart choice. The holes allow air to move through the basket while catching drips and crumbs. They are especially useful when you want to preserve the clean look of a premium nonstick basket.

Always place parchment in the air fryer only after food is weighing it down. A loose liner can lift into the heating element, creating smoke or a fire risk. This is a convenience accessory, not something to use while preheating an empty unit.

3. A Compact Oil Mister

An oil mister offers the kind of control that makes air-fried food look and taste restaurant-ready. A light coating of avocado, olive, or other high-heat cooking oil encourages golden edges on vegetables, proteins, and breaded favorites without drowning them in oil.

Avoid aerosol cooking sprays when your manufacturer advises against them. Some formulas contain additives that may damage certain nonstick finishes over time. A refillable mister feels more polished, reduces packaging waste, and lets you choose an oil that suits the meal.

4. Heat-Resistant Silicone Tongs

If you have ever tried to turn hot shrimp or lift a fragile piece of chicken with a fork, you already understand the value of quality tongs. Silicone-tipped tongs provide a secure grip without scratching the basket or rack. They make shaking, flipping, and serving safer, too.

Choose a compact pair rather than oversized grill tongs. A shorter length gives you greater control inside a basket-style air fryer and stores neatly in a kitchen drawer.

5. A Small Baking Pan or Cake Barrel

An air fryer is surprisingly capable when dessert is on the menu. A small round baking pan, often called a cake barrel, opens up options such as brownies, cinnamon rolls, cornbread, and personal-size cheesecakes. It is also useful for egg bakes and baked pasta portions that feel special enough for a relaxed weekend lunch.

The key is fit. Select a pan that leaves space around its sides so heat can circulate. Dark metal pans may brown more quickly, while silicone pans release delicate baked goods easily but can take a little longer to cook.

6. Oven-Safe Ramekins

A set of oven-safe ramekins brings elegant, individual serving possibilities to the air fryer. Use them for baked eggs, spinach dip, mini cobblers, molten cakes, or a warm serving of mac and cheese. They are particularly useful for smaller households, where a full casserole dish feels excessive.

Ceramic and porcelain ramekins retain heat well, so use a mitt or tongs when removing them. Confirm that they are oven-safe and fit comfortably below the appliance’s heating element.

7. Skewers and a Rack Set

A rack with skewers creates a more elevated cooking setup for kebabs, vegetable skewers, and bite-size appetizers. By raising food and separating pieces, it can promote more even browning than a crowded basket. It is a standout option for entertaining, game-day spreads, and simple meals that deserve a little more presentation.

This accessory makes the most sense for a larger air fryer or oven-style model. In a small basket, forcing a rack into a tight space can restrict airflow and make cooking less efficient rather than more refined.

8. A Multi-Layer Dehydrator Rack

For shoppers who want more from their appliance than fast dinners, a multi-layer rack introduces dehydrating and batch-cooking potential. Thin apple slices, citrus wheels, herbs, jerky, and dog treats can be dried in small quantities, while multiple levels can help cook vegetables alongside a main dish.

Do not overload every tier. Air fryers work best when air has room to travel. If your goal is deeply crisp food, one open layer is usually still the superior choice. Save stacked racks for foods that benefit from gentle drying or when volume matters more than maximum crunch.

9. A Splatter Guard

A splatter guard can be useful with especially fatty foods, such as bacon, burgers, or skin-on chicken thighs. It helps reduce residue near the heating area while allowing heat to circulate. For households that use an air fryer several times a week, this can make routine maintenance feel more manageable.

Make sure any guard is specifically designed for air fryer temperatures and does not block the appliance’s vents. It should sit securely without touching the heating element.

10. A Food Thermometer

A fast, reliable instant-read thermometer is arguably the most valuable accessory on this list, even though it does not sit inside the basket. Air fryers can cook quickly, and the difference between juicy chicken and dry chicken can be a matter of minutes. A thermometer removes the guesswork from thicker cuts, burgers, pork chops, and reheated leftovers.

Visual browning is helpful, but it does not confirm doneness. Checking the thickest part of the food lets you serve dinner with more confidence and less overcooking.

11. Silicone Muffin Cups

Silicone muffin cups are small but remarkably versatile. They keep individual portions organized for egg bites, mini frittatas, breakfast cups, cupcakes, and portioned snacks. They also make a thoughtful addition for families who like preparing make-ahead breakfasts or lunchbox-friendly treats.

Flexible cups are easy to clean and reusable, but they need support. Place them in a shallow pan or arrange them carefully in a stable basket so they do not tip when you move the drawer.

12. A Quality Cleaning Brush

A dedicated, soft-bristled cleaning brush preserves the finish and performance of your air fryer. It reaches into the basket’s corners, grate openings, and hard-to-clean areas without the harsh scraping that can wear down a coating. Pair it with warm, soapy water after the appliance has cooled, especially following sticky or sugary recipes.

Skip abrasive scouring pads and metal utensils. A little care keeps the basket looking polished and helps your favorite appliance remain a reliable part of your kitchen for years.

How to Choose Air Fryer Accessories That Actually Fit

The most stylish accessory is not a smart purchase if it does not fit safely. Check the product dimensions against the inside of your basket or oven cavity, then consider height as well as width. Accessories should never touch the heating element, crowd the fan area, or prevent the drawer from closing smoothly.

Material matters, too. Food-grade silicone, stainless steel, oven-safe ceramic, and appropriately rated metal are dependable choices. Avoid plastic, flimsy coated pieces, and any item without a clear heat rating. If your air fryer manual lists accessory restrictions, treat those instructions as the final word.

It also helps to buy according to how you really cook. A household focused on crispy vegetables and chicken may get the most value from an oil mister, tongs, liners, and thermometer. A baker will appreciate a cake pan, ramekins, and muffin cups. For hosts, a rack and skewer set can turn a familiar countertop appliance into an easy source of polished appetizers.

Build a More Versatile Countertop Kitchen

You do not need every accessory to make your air fryer feel more capable. Start with the pieces that solve a real friction point, whether that is cleanup, safe handling, meal prep, or cooking for guests. A thoughtfully chosen set makes quick meals look more intentional, helps preserve your appliance, and gives ordinary ingredients a more elevated finish.

Let your cooking habits lead the selection. The accessories worth keeping are the ones that make you reach for the air fryer more often, then enjoy the meal and the cleanup afterward.