Guide to Must-Haves and Nice-to-Haves Air Fryer Accessories

Air fryer accessories guide! Must-haves & nice-to-haves to take your air fryer to the next level. From basics, to trinkets you will love for cooking and baking!

A person holds the basket of an air fryer, an essential guide to modern cooking, containing slices of cooked plantains. The sleek black air fryer with a handle complements their blue top, their hand gracefully near the handle.

Air fryers are beloved for their ability to cook food quickly with minimal oil, making them ideal for preparing comfort foods like crispy chicken wings, roasted vegetables, and baked goods. They preheat faster than traditional ovens and are easier to clean, making them a practical choice for busy households.

Buying Guide for Air Fryer Parts

A woman with long hair stands in a kitchen, showcasing her Essential Guide to using an air fryer. She holds the basket of crispy fries, fresh from the fryer on the countertop. Nearby, a small container of oil sits by the stove, hinting at versatile cooking possibilities.

When selecting air fryer accessories, consider the size and shape of your air fryer basket, the materials (preferably nonstick and heat-resistant), and the types of dishes you frequently prepare. Opt for accessories that enhance convenience and expand your cooking options.

Essential Air Fryer Accessories

Here are some of the "must-haves" for anyone serious about their air fryer, and serious about minimizing cleanup.

Meat Thermometer

Six glazed chicken drumsticks are arranged inside an air fryer basket. The surface below shows a small bunch of fresh herbs and part of a blue cloth, with ingredients jars and a bowl partially visible in the corners.

A digital meat thermometer ensures your meats are cooked to the perfect temperature, enhancing food safety and taste. It's especially useful for dishes like crispy air fryer turkey thighs. It's also very important to make sure your chicken is cooked properly without having it end up bone dry, like with my sticky air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks or chicken wings with Italian seasoning.

Locking Tongs

High-quality locking tongs allow you to safely flip and remove food from the air fryer without damaging the nonstick surface or burning your fingers. Perfect for making your cabbage steaks next time.

Oil Spray Bottle

An oil spray bottle helps you apply a thin, even layer of oil to your food, promoting crispiness without excess fat. This is essential for achieving that golden finish on fries or breaded items like my air fryer cheese bites or jalapeño poppers without drenching them in oil!

Basting Brushes

Four raw salmon fillets rest on a white rectangular tray lined with parchment paper, ready for transformation into air fryer salmon. A black brush sits nearby, hinting at seasoning or marination. The backdrop remains light and unobtrusive, keeping attention on the culinary preparation.

Heat-resistant silicone basting brushes are perfect for applying marinades or sauces to your food before or during cooking, enhancing flavor and moisture. They have turned my air fryer salmon from drab and forgettable to a juicy, tender meal.

Mandoline Slicer

You’ll be amazed at the difference consistent cuts make—especially when using your air fryer. Evenly sliced veggies cook more uniformly, so you won’t end up with some pieces burnt to a crisp while others are still underdone. A mandoline makes prep fast, precise, and super satisfying. Bonus: those perfectly cut veggies give your finished dish that pro-level presentation.

Parchment Paper Liners or Reusable Silicone Liners

An air fryer basket lined with paper cradles uncooked zucchini fritters, hinting at a delicious feta recipe. A spatula rests on the basket's edge, ready for action. Nearby on the marble countertop are a mixing bowl brimming with batter and an empty white plate awaiting a tasty creation.

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These liners prevent food from sticking to the basket and make cleanup a breeze, after you use it, just toss it in the trash! Reusable silicone liners are an eco-friendly alternative to disposable parchment paper. I can be lazy sometimes, and I can't stand having to scrub melted cheese off my air fryer after making pizza in the mornings. So these liners are nothing but a blessing in the cleaning department!

Other Nice-To-Have Air Fryer Accessories

These aren't things you need to have, but I have found them super useful at getting the most out of my air fryer and I think you will as well.

Air Fryer Rack

Eight air fryer jalapeño poppers, wrapped in crispy bacon and stuffed with a savory filling, are arranged in a circular pattern inside the basket. The bacon is perfectly cooked with enticing grill marks enhancing each piece.

An air fryer rack allows you to cook multiple layers of food simultaneously, increasing your cooking capacity and efficiency. I have heard complaints that the air fryer doesn't have enough space when it's time to cook over the holidays. But with air fryer racks, you can make layers of yummy food at the same time. When I meal prep, I use these racks to make a lot of my air fryer tofu or air fryer asparagus.

Air Fryer Skewers

Skewers are great for making kebabs or roasting vegetables, providing even cooking and easy handling. They really help make sure that my zucchini fritters are cooked evenly throughout.

Magnetic Air Fryer Cheat Sheet

This handy reference lists cooking times and temperatures for various foods, making it easier to plan and execute your meals.

Egg Molds

A person holds an air fryer basket containing crispy and juicy turkey thighs. The basket is lined with brown parchment paper, resting elegantly on a white marble surface, showcasing the perfectly cooked delight.

Silicone egg molds allow you to cook perfectly shaped eggs. These molds have been very handy, since I have been trying to cook less greasy food, and now I have crispy eggs without having them doused in oil. And there's no reason the egg molds can only have one purpose either. They produce perfectly round pancakes, and they take my carrot cake pancakes and blueberry sourdough pancakes to the next level.

Accessories for Baking

A kitchen counter boasts an Essential Air Fryer, a white toaster, and a baking tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies on parchment paper. The wall features white subway tiles, and electrical outlets are visible.

They say that you can make practically everything in the air fryer and with a couple of handy kitchen nicknacks, you can even do your baking in the air fryer.

Adapting Baking Recipes for the Air Fryer

You don’t need special recipes to bake in your air fryer—just a few smart tweaks. Here’s how to turn your go-to baked goods into air fryer magic:

Reduce the Temperature: Lower the baking temp by 25°F (about 15°C) from the original oven recipe. Example: If a recipe calls for 350°F, set the air fryer to 325°F.
Adjust the Time: Start checking for doneness at half to three-quarters of the original bake time. Muffins: usually take 10–15 minutes Mini cakes: about 15–20 minutes, depending on size
Use a toothpick or cake tester to check the center.
Don’t Overfill: Only fill molds or pans about two-thirds full to avoid overflow during rising.
Preheat for Consistency: While not always necessary, preheating your air fryer for 2–3 minutes helps ensure even cooking and rise.