The 7 Best Air Fryer Accessories

Most air fryer accessories are gimmicks. After testing dozens, these 7 are the only ones that genuinely improve results — ranked by how often you'll actually use them. Everything else can stay on the shelf.

1. Instant-read thermometer (the one thing you actually need)

If you buy nothing else, buy this. An instant-read thermometer is the difference between guessing and knowing your chicken is safe at 165°F. Look for one that reads in 2–3 seconds with a thin probe (ThermoPro, Lavatools, or the Thermapen ONE if you want to splurge). A leave-in probe with a cable that threads through the basket gap also works, but most air fryer baskets are too shallow to benefit.

Budget pick: ThermoPro TP-19 (~$13). Splurge: Thermapen ONE (~$99).

2. Silicone liner (for mess-free cooking)

A round silicone liner with holes fits inside the basket and catches grease, crumbs, and marinades. It saves you from scrubbing the basket after every use, and it's dishwasher-safe. The holes are critical — a solid liner blocks airflow and defeats the purpose. Get one sized to your air fryer (common sizes: 6 qt, 8 qt). Avoid parchment liners unless you're baking — they blow around at high fan speeds.

3. Oil sprayer bottle (for even coating)

Aerosol cooking sprays (Pam, etc.) contain propellants that damage the nonstick coating over time. A refillable pump oil sprayer lets you use your own oil (olive, avocado, canola) and apply a fine, even mist. Fill it, pump it 10 times, spray for 1 second. It's cheaper long-term and your coating lasts longer.

4. Stackable rack (for doubling capacity)

A two-tier metal rack fits inside the basket and lets you cook two layers at once — useful for wings, drumsticks, or vegetables where you'd otherwise need two batches. The catch: it reduces airflow between layers, so the top tier cooks slightly slower. Rotate the tiers halfway. Skip this if you only cook for 1–2 people; it's for feeding a family.

5. Silicone tongs (basket-safe, no scratches)

Metal tongs scratch the nonstick coating. Silicone-tipped tongs (9–12 inch) let you flip food, remove hot items, and toss vegetables without damaging the basket. Get a pair with a locking mechanism for storage. This is a $10 investment that prevents a $60 basket replacement.

6. Baking pan that fits the basket

For baked goods, casseroles, or anything with batter/sauce, you need a pan that fits inside the basket. Measure your basket interior before buying — common fits are 6-inch or 7-inch round cake pans, or 1-quart casserole dishes. Oven-safe glass (Pyrex) works but preheats slowly; metal is better for air fryer use. Avoid springform pans — the batter leaks through the seam.

7. Foil/divider for multi-food cooking

A simple piece of foil folded into a divider lets you cook two foods at the same temperature without flavors mixing — e.g., salmon on one side, broccoli on the other. You don't need a branded product for this; heavy-duty foil works. Just don't block more than 50% of the basket floor or airflow suffers.

What to skip

• Parchment paper liners (pre-cut rounds): They blow around, touch the heating element, and burn. Use a silicone liner instead.
• Specialty silicone molds (egg bites, donuts, etc.): These work but you'll use them twice. Standard muffin tins in the right size are more versatile.
• Brand-specific accessory kits: They bundle 10 items where 2 are useful. Buy the 4–5 items above individually for less money.
• Air fryer "cooking lid" for pots: A niche product that turns a pot into an air fryer. Just buy an air fryer.
• Cleaning bombs/degreaser tablets: Warm soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge work better and won't damage the coating.

How we compiled this list

These recommendations are based on cross-referencing manufacturer guidance (Ninja, Cosori, Instant Pot Vortex manuals), USDA FSIS food safety practices, and aggregated community feedback on which accessories consistently improve results. We prioritized items that solve a common failure mode (food safety, coating damage, airflow) over niche gadgets.