So, you’ve dived headfirst into the wonderful world of air frying. Welcome to the club! You’ve probably perfected your crispy fries, nailed a juicy chicken breast, and discovered that yes, you can air fry just about anything. But now you’re standing in your kitchen, looking at your trusty machine and thinking, “What’s next?” This is where our comprehensive Air Fryer Accessories Review comes in, turning your great appliance into an unbelievably versatile kitchen powerhouse.
Let’s be honest, that basket that came with your air fryer is fantastic, but it’s just the beginning. Think of your air fryer as a brilliant smartphone; the accessories are the apps that unlock its true, mind-blowing potential. They promise easier cleanups, more cooking space, and the ability to bake, grill, and dehydrate things you never thought possible. But with a sea of silicone, metal, and paper options out there, which ones are game-changers and which are just clutter? Let’s break it down together.
Why You Absolutely Need Air Fryer Accessories
Before we dive into the specific gadgets, let’s talk about the why. Why should you even consider spending extra money on accessories? It boils down to three game-changing benefits:
- Ultimate Versatility: You bought an air fryer to do more than just reheat pizza. With the right tools, you can bake a cake, grill a steak with perfect sear marks, or make a batch of beef jerky. Accessories transform it from a “fryer” into a multi-functional mini-oven.
- Effortless Cleanup: This is a big one. Who loves scrubbing a greasy air fryer basket? Nobody. Liners, whether silicone or parchment, can make cleanup as simple as tossing a piece of paper or rinsing a silicone pot. More cooking, less scrubbing.
- Maximized Space: One of the biggest limitations of many air fryers is the cooking area. A simple wire rack can literally double your cooking surface, allowing you to cook a full meal—like salmon on the bottom and asparagus on top—all at once.
The Essential Air Fryer Accessories Review: Our Top Picks
After countless hours of testing, cooking, and (let’s be real) eating, I’ve separated the must-haves from the maybe-laters. These are the accessories that provide the most bang for your buck and will genuinely change how you use your machine.
Silicone Liners or Pots: The Cleanup King
If you buy only one accessory, make it this one. A silicone pot or liner is a flexible, reusable bowl that fits right inside your air fryer basket.
- What they’re great for: Anything saucy, sticky, or greasy. Think BBQ wings, marinated meats, or anything with melting cheese. The silicone contains the mess, so your basket stays pristine. They’re also perfect for “wetter” recipes like small frittatas.
- What to look for: Make sure it’s made from food-grade, BPA-free silicone. Look for designs with raised lines or channels on the bottom; this is crucial as it allows air to circulate under the food, ensuring that signature air fryer crispiness isn’t lost.
- My Experience: I remember the first time I made sticky honey-garlic chicken without a liner. The flavor was incredible, but the cleanup was a caramelized, burnt-on nightmare that took ages to scrub. A silicone pot has completely eliminated that problem for me.
Parchment Paper Liners: The Convenient Choice
These are pre-cut, disposable paper circles or squares, often with perforated holes to aid airflow. They are the definition of convenience.
- What they’re great for: Preventing delicate foods from sticking. Think fish fillets, cookies, or breaded items. They make transferring food out of the basket a breeze and cleanup is literally just throwing the paper away.
- A crucial safety tip: Never preheat your air fryer with just a parchment liner inside. The circulating air can lift the light paper into the heating element, creating a fire hazard. Always make sure the liner is weighed down with food before turning the machine on.
Racks and Skewers: The Space Maximizer
A simple metal rack is one of the most transformative accessories you can own. Most sets come with a multi-purpose rack and several small metal skewers.
- What they’re great for: The rack instantly creates a second level in your basket. This is perfect for cooking different foods simultaneously (e.g., burgers on the bottom, toasting buns on top) or for cooking larger batches of flat foods like bacon, jerky, or dehydrated fruit slices. The skewers are fantastic for making kebabs.
- What to look for: Stainless steel is the way to go for durability and easy cleaning. Ensure the rack’s height allows enough clearance for food on both levels.
Grill Pan: For Perfect Sear Marks
Want that beautiful, steakhouse-style char on your food without firing up the outdoor grill? An air fryer grill pan is your answer. This accessory is typically a raised, perforated pan that fits in your basket.
- What they’re great for: Giving steaks, chicken thighs, pork chops, and vegetables those coveted grill marks. The perforated design allows grease to drip away, resulting in a less fatty, yet still juicy, final product.
- Pro Tip: For the best results, preheat the grill pan in the air fryer for a few minutes before adding your food. You’ll get a much better sizzle and sear.
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Our Picks for the Best Air Fryer in 2025
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| Num | Product | Action |
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| 1 | Ninja | Indoor Grill and Air Fryer| Foodi Smart XL | 6-in-1 Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate & Crisp |Smart Thermometer & Splatter Shield | Dishwasher Safe Parts | Black/Silver | FG551 |
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| 2 | Ninja | Air Fryer | 4-in-1 Pro Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate | 5QT Capacity fits up to 4lbs of French Fries | 400F Max Temp | Nonstick Basket & Crisper Plate | 120V | Grey | AF141 |
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| 3 | CHEFMAN 2 Qt Mini Air Fryer – Digital Space-Saving Compact Air Fryer with Nonstick and Dishwasher Safe Basket, Quick & Easy Meals in Minutes, Features Digital Timer and Shake Reminder – Black |
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| 4 | Chefman 12-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer Oven with Digital Timer, Touchscreen, and 12 Presets - Family Size Countertop Convection Oven, Dishwasher-Safe Parts |
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| 5 | Ninja | Air Fryer | 4 QT Capacity | 4-in1 Roast, Crisp, Roast, Reheats, & Dehydrates | Dishwasher Safe Parts | Includes 20 Easy & Healthy Recipes | Compact | Grey | AF101 |
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| 6 | bella 4Qt Slim Air Fryer, Fits-anywhere™ Kitchenware, EverGood™ Ceramic Nonstick Coating, Adjustable Temperature, 6 Preset Cooking Options, 60 Min Auto Shutoff w Audible Tone, 3.3lb Capacity, Oatmilk |
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| 7 | Chefman Air Fryer TurboFry 7-Qt, 6-in-1 High-Powered 450°F Cooking for Crispier Results, Compact Space-Saving Design, Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Reheat, Dehydrate, Defrost, Fast & Even Cooking – Black |
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| 8 | Chefman TurboFry Touch Dual Air Fryer, Maximize The Healthiest Meals With Double Basket Capacity, One-Touch Digital Controls And Shake Reminder For The Perfect Crispy And Low-Calorie Finish |
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| 9 | Chefman TurboFry® Touch Air Fryer, XL 8-Qt Family Size, One-Touch Digital Control Presets, French Fries, Chicken, Meat, Fish, Nonstick Dishwasher-Safe Parts, Automatic Shutoff, Stainless Steel |
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| 10 | CHEFMAN 6 Quart Dual Basket Air Fryer Oven with Easy View Windows, Sync Finish, Hi-Fry, Auto Shutoff, 2 Independent 3Qt Nonstick Dishwasher Safe Frying Baskets, Digital Double Air Fryer - Black |
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How Do I Choose the Right Size Accessories?
This is easily one of the most common questions, and a valid one! The best way to ensure your accessories fit is to measure the inside of your air fryer basket.
A quick and direct answer is: measure the internal diameter and depth of your basket before you buy anything. Most accessories list their dimensions, so you can easily match them up.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
- Take out your air fryer basket.
- Using a ruler or measuring tape, measure the inside width from one side to the other at its widest point. This is your diameter.
- Measure the inside depth from the bottom of the basket to the top rim.
- When shopping for accessories, choose items that are slightly smaller than your basket’s dimensions to ensure proper air circulation. A tight fit is an enemy of a crispy result.
“The single biggest mistake people make is overcrowding the basket or using accessories that block airflow. The magic of an air fryer is in the 360-degree hot air circulation. If you block that, you’re essentially just baking, not air frying.” – Chef Benjamin Carter, Culinary Technology Consultant.
Common Mistakes to Avoid With Air Fryer Accessories
Getting new tools is exciting, but a few common slip-ups can lead to disappointing results or even damage your appliance.
- Blocking Airflow: As Chef Carter mentioned, airflow is everything. Don’t use a solid plate or a liner that’s too big and covers all the vents. This will result in soggy, unevenly cooked food.
- Using Non-Air-Fryer-Safe Materials: Never use materials not explicitly rated for the high heat of an air fryer, such as wax paper, plastic, or paper towels. Stick to silicone, metal, parchment, or oven-safe glass/ceramic.
- Forgetting to Adjust Cook Times: Adding an extra layer with a rack or placing food in a silicone pot can sometimes slightly increase the required cooking time. Check your food for doneness and be prepared to add a few extra minutes. The quality of your machine also plays a role in this, which is something we saw firsthand. To understand more about how build quality affects performance over time, our findings in the long term air fryer durability test offer some valuable insights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I use regular aluminum foil instead of an accessory liner?
A: Yes, you can, but with caution. Make sure the foil doesn’t cover all the holes in the basket to allow airflow. Fold up the edges to create a small “boat” to contain grease, and never let it touch the heating element.
Q2: Are silicone air fryer accessories safe to cook with?
A: Absolutely, as long as you purchase from a reputable brand. Ensure the product is labeled as “food-grade,” “BPA-free,” and can withstand temperatures up to at least 450°F (230°C).
Q3: How do I clean my air fryer accessories?
A: Most high-quality metal and silicone accessories are dishwasher-safe, which is a huge plus. For any tough, baked-on residue, a good soak in hot, soapy water usually does the trick before you scrub.
Q4: Do air fryer accessories affect the cooking time or temperature?
A: They can, slightly. Using a silicone pot might require an extra minute or two of cooking time since it insulates the food a bit. Using a rack to cook two layers might also require a slightly longer time for everything to cook through evenly. It’s always best to check for doneness.
Q5: Can I use my own small baking pans in the air fryer?
A: Yes! If you have a small metal or oven-safe ceramic or glass dish that fits comfortably inside your basket with room for air to circulate around it, you can absolutely use it.
The Final Verdict
Investing in a few key tools is the single best way to level up your air frying game. While you don’t need every gadget on the market, a quality silicone liner, a multi-purpose rack, and some parchment paper will fundamentally change your cooking experience for the better, making it more efficient, more versatile, and so much easier to clean.
This air fryer accessories review is about empowering you to move beyond the basics and truly make your appliance the workhorse of your kitchen. So go ahead, grab an accessory that excites you, and discover a whole new world of quick, delicious, and creative meals. You’ll be amazed at what your little machine can do.