Air Fryer Accessories Actually Worth Buying (and Which to Skip)
A few smart add-ons can unlock a lot more from your air fryer, but most accessory packs are clutter you will never use.
Walk into any kitchen store and you will find entire walls of air fryer accessories, most of them unnecessary. The truth is that a good basket or oven-style air fryer already handles the basics on its own. But a small handful of accessories genuinely expand what your machine can do, and they cost very little. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you what is worth the shelf space and what you can safely skip.
Products mentioned in this post
Parchment Paper Liners
Pre-cut perforated parchment liners are one of the most useful things you can add to your air fryer routine. They sit in the basket, catch drips and crumbs, and make cleanup take about ten seconds instead of several minutes. The perforations let hot air circulate normally so your food still crisps up the way it should. Make sure you buy liners sized for your basket, since a liner that is too big can fold up against the heating element and become a fire hazard. These run a few dollars for a pack of fifty and are genuinely worth every cent.
A Metal Rack or Riser
A small multi-level rack lets you cook two things at once by stacking them in the basket with a little space between layers. This is especially handy for reheating a main dish and a side at the same time, or for doing a second batch of chicken wings without waiting for the first to finish. Look for a rack made from food-safe stainless steel with feet tall enough to keep the lower layer off the basket floor. These usually cost under fifteen dollars and are one of the few accessories that actually saves real time.
Silicone Tongs and a Spatula
The standard metal tongs and spatulas you use on a stovetop will scratch the nonstick coating in your air fryer basket over time. A pair of silicone-tipped tongs and a flexible silicone spatula protect that coating and cost very little. They also handle high heat without melting. If your air fryer basket is nonstick, this is probably the most protective swap you can make for the long life of your machine.
A Small Baking Pan or Cake Barrel
A round or square baking pan that fits inside your basket opens up a surprising range of things you can cook, from small cakes and brownies to egg dishes and casseroles. These are sometimes called cake barrels and are often sold as part of a set. The key measurement is the interior width of your basket, so check that before ordering. For oven-style air fryers like the Cuisinart TOA-60ES, which runs 1800 watts and has a large interior, you already have standard baking pans that fit, so this add-on matters more for compact basket-style units.
A Meat Thermometer
This is not an air fryer-specific accessory, but it belongs on this list because air fryers cook faster than ovens and it is easy to pull chicken or pork too early when you are guessing by time alone. An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out and means you are not cutting into your food to check doneness. A basic digital model runs under twenty dollars and works for everything from air-fried chicken thighs to steak. It is probably the single most useful kitchen tool you can add regardless of which appliance you are using.
What to Skip
Most accessory kits include a toothpick holder, a muffin cup tray, a pizza pan, a skewer rack, and a few other items you are unlikely to reach for more than once. Silicone egg molds and tiny ramekins often sound useful but take up drawer space and rarely fit the workflow of everyday cooking. Specialty rotisserie attachments are only compatible with specific oven-style air fryers, so double-check compatibility before spending money there. If an accessory requires you to learn a new technique just to use it, it is probably not saving you any effort.
Does Your Air Fryer Already Come With Accessories?
Some air fryers include useful extras right in the box. The Nuwave 6QT Brio, for example, ships with additional accessories alongside its 6-quart nonstick basket. If you are shopping for a new air fryer, it is worth checking what comes included so you do not buy things you already have. The Gourmia GAF716 at 7 quarts and 1700 watts is a solid mid-size basket fryer that pairs well with a basic liner and rack kit if you want to expand its usefulness without spending much.
Frequently asked questions
Are air fryer accessory kits worth buying?
It depends on what is in the kit. A kit that includes a rack, a baking pan, and some liners can be a good deal. A kit padded out with toothpick holders, tiny skewers, and muffin cups you will never use is usually not. Buy individual pieces based on what you actually cook.
Can I use regular parchment paper in my air fryer?
You can, but you need to cut it to size and poke holes in it yourself so air can circulate. Pre-cut perforated liners are much easier to use and are sized to fit common basket dimensions. Never put blank parchment in an empty basket and preheat, since it can catch air and touch the heating element.
What size accessories do I need for my air fryer?
Measure the interior width of your basket or the interior of your oven-style drawer. Accessories should fit with a little room around the edges so air can still move freely. Most product listings include a size guide, and sticking to the same brand as your air fryer often guarantees a fit.
Will metal accessories scratch my air fryer basket?
Metal racks are fine because they rest inside the basket without scraping the coating. The issue is with utensils like tongs and spatulas that move against the surface while you are flipping or removing food. Use silicone-tipped tools for anything that contacts the basket coating directly.
Do I need accessories if I have an oven-style air fryer?
Oven-style air fryers usually include wire racks and a drip tray, and their interiors accept standard small baking pans. You may need parchment sheets cut for the rack, and silicone utensils are still a good idea. Beyond that, most oven-style units are already well-equipped out of the box.