An air fryer can handle most everyday cooking without any extras, but the right accessories can make certain tasks easier. The trick is knowing which accessories solve a real problem and which ones are likely to sit unused in a drawer.
The most useful air fryer accessories are usually simple: an instant-read meat thermometer for checking doneness, a silicone or parchment liner for easier cleanup, silicone-tipped tongs for handling food, a rack for creating additional cooking space, and an oil sprayer for controlled oil application.
You do not need to buy a 20-piece accessory kit to get more from your air fryer.
This guide focuses on the accessories that have a practical purpose, what to look for before buying them, and who actually needs each one.
Quick Answer: What Air Fryer Accessories Are Actually Worth Buying?
If you only want a few accessories, start with these:
| Accessory | Best For | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Instant-read meat thermometer | Checking meat safely and accurately | Essential |
| Reusable silicone liner | Easier cleanup | Essential for messy foods |
| Perforated parchment liners | Preventing sticking and reducing cleanup | Very useful |
| Silicone-tipped tongs | Flipping and removing food | Essential |
| Air fryer rack | Adding another cooking level | Useful for larger batches |
| Oil sprayer | Evenly applying a small amount of oil | Useful |
| Baking pan | Cakes, casseroles and smaller baked dishes | Optional |
| Grill/crisper tray | Grilling and browning | Optional |
| Heat-resistant gloves | Handling hot accessories | Useful |
| Cleaning brush | Cleaning hard-to-reach areas | Useful |
The best accessory depends on how you use your air fryer. Someone who mainly cooks chicken and steak will benefit more from a meat thermometer, while someone who cooks sticky or saucy foods may get more value from a liner.
1. Instant-Read Meat Thermometer
→ Check current Amazon options for instant-read meat thermometers
Best for: Chicken, turkey, pork, beef and fish
An instant-read meat thermometer is one of the most useful accessories for anyone who regularly cooks meat in an air fryer.
Cooking time alone does not guarantee that a piece of meat has reached the appropriate internal temperature. Thickness, starting temperature and the specific air fryer can all affect how quickly food cooks.
A thermometer gives you a more reliable way to check the center of the food rather than cutting it open repeatedly.
What to look for
Look for:
- A fast digital reading
- An easy-to-read display
- A thin probe
- A foldable or protected probe for storage
- A temperature range suitable for everyday cooking
- Water resistance if the manufacturer specifies it
Who should buy one?
Buy it if: you regularly cook chicken, turkey, pork, steak or fish.
Skip it if: you almost exclusively cook frozen fries, nuggets or other foods where doneness is obvious and specified by the package.
Why it’s a smart purchase
Unlike an accessory that only works inside an air fryer, a meat thermometer can also be used for an oven, grill, stovetop cooking and other food-preparation tasks.
2. Reusable Silicone Air Fryer Liner
→ See reusable silicone air fryer liners on Amazon
Best for: Easier cleanup
A reusable silicone liner can be useful when you’re cooking foods that leave behind grease, sauces, marinades or small crumbs.
Instead of having food directly contact the basket, the liner creates a removable surface that can make cleanup easier.
However, fit and airflow matter.
A liner should not be so large that it interferes with the basket or blocks the air circulation your air fryer relies on.
What to look for
Choose a liner that:
- Matches your basket dimensions
- Is rated for the temperatures you’ll use
- Fits securely without folding excessively
- Is easy to clean
- Has a design that doesn’t unnecessarily restrict airflow
Perforated or vented designs can be worth considering when airflow is an important concern.
Who should buy one?
Buy it if: you frequently cook marinated chicken, vegetables, cheese-heavy foods or other messy recipes.
Skip it if: you prefer cooking directly on the basket and don’t mind cleaning it afterward.
Important buying tip
Don’t buy a liner simply because the listing says “universal.”
Measure your air fryer basket and compare those measurements with the manufacturer’s listed dimensions.
3. Perforated Parchment Air Fryer Liners
→ Compare perforated air fryer parchment liners on Amazon
Best for: Quick cleanup and sticky foods
Disposable parchment liners are another option for reducing cleanup.
Unlike a reusable silicone liner, parchment liners can simply be discarded after cooking, which makes them convenient for particularly messy meals.
Look for air-fryer-specific perforated liners rather than assuming any sheet of parchment paper is suitable.
What to look for
Check:
- Correct basket size
- Perforations for airflow
- Temperature rating
- Quantity per package
- Whether the manufacturer specifies air fryer use
One important safety point
Parchment should not be allowed to come into contact with an exposed heating element. Follow the instructions supplied with your air fryer and the liner manufacturer.
Also, don’t place a lightweight liner into an empty, preheating air fryer where it can potentially move upward toward the heating element.
Who should buy it?
Buy it if: convenience and quick cleanup are more important to you than having a reusable accessory.
Skip it if: you already have a reusable liner that works well for the foods you cook.
4. Silicone-Tipped Kitchen Tongs
→ Check silicone kitchen tongs on Amazon
Best for: Flipping and removing food
A good pair of kitchen tongs is useful for almost every type of air fryer cooking.
Tongs make it easier to turn chicken, vegetables, sausages and other foods without reaching into a hot basket with your hands.
For air fryer baskets with non-stick surfaces, silicone-tipped tongs are a sensible choice because they are designed to be gentler on coated cookware than bare metal utensils.
What to look for
Look for:
- Silicone tips
- A comfortable grip
- A locking mechanism for storage
- A length that keeps your hands comfortably away from hot food
- Heat resistance appropriate for your cooking temperature
Who should buy them?
Buy them if: you frequently flip, turn or remove food during cooking.
Skip them if: you already own a good pair of compatible silicone-tipped kitchen tongs.
5. Air Fryer Rack or Elevated Rack
→ Browse compatible air fryer racks on Amazon
Best for: Increasing usable cooking space
A rack can be useful when the biggest limitation of your air fryer is basket space.
An elevated rack creates another level inside compatible air fryer models, allowing certain foods to be arranged vertically rather than all sitting on the bottom.
This can be particularly useful for smaller foods or when you’re preparing multiple components of a meal.
But there’s a catch
More cooking space does not automatically mean you can double the amount of food without changing anything.
Air needs to circulate around the food, so overcrowding can reduce browning and crisping.
What to look for
Check:
- Exact diameter or width
- Height
- Air fryer model compatibility
- Material
- Heat resistance
- Whether the rack is dishwasher-safe if that matters to you
Who should buy one?
Buy it if: you frequently wish your air fryer had more usable vertical space.
Skip it if: you normally cook small portions and already have enough room.
6. Refillable Oil Sprayer or Mister
→ Compare refillable oil sprayers on Amazon
Best for: Evenly applying small amounts of oil
An oil sprayer can make it easier to apply a light coating of oil to vegetables, potatoes, breaded foods and other recipes.
The main advantage is control. Instead of pouring oil directly over food, a sprayer can distribute a smaller amount more evenly.
What to look for
Consider:
- Spray consistency
- Ease of cleaning
- Bottle material
- Pump mechanism
- Whether the manufacturer recommends the type of oil you plan to use
Not every refillable sprayer produces the same type of mist, so product quality matters.
Who should buy one?
Buy it if: you regularly add oil to vegetables, potatoes or homemade air-fryer recipes.
Skip it if: most of your cooking requires little or no added oil.
7. Air Fryer Baking Pan
→ Browse compatible air fryer baking pans on Amazon
Best for: Small baked dishes
A compatible baking pan can expand the types of food you can prepare in an air fryer.
Depending on the size and design, it can be useful for:
- Small cakes
- Brownies
- Casseroles
- Baked pasta
- Eggs
- Smaller portions of baked dishes
What to look for
The most important factor is size.
A pan that is too large can interfere with airflow or simply fail to fit inside the cooking chamber.
Measure the usable interior space of your air fryer before ordering.
Who should buy one?
Buy it if: you want to use your air fryer for baking or contained dishes.
Skip it if: you mainly use your air fryer for fries, vegetables, chicken and other foods that go directly into the basket.
8. Air Fryer Grill or Crisper Tray
→ Compare air fryer grill and crisper trays on Amazon
Best for: Grilling-style cooking and browning
A grill or crisper tray can provide a different cooking surface and may be useful for foods where you want more direct contact with a perforated or ridged surface.
Depending on the design, these accessories can be used for foods such as:
- Burgers
- Chicken
- Vegetables
- Fish
- Kebabs
But this is a model-dependent purchase.
Before buying, make sure the tray is compatible with your specific air fryer.
Who should buy one?
Buy it if: you regularly cook proteins and vegetables and want to experiment with different cooking surfaces.
Skip it if: your standard basket already gives you the results you want.
9. Heat-Resistant Silicone Gloves or Mitts
→ Check heat-resistant kitchen gloves on Amazon
Best for: Handling hot accessories
Air fryer baskets, racks and pans can become extremely hot during cooking.
Heat-resistant gloves or mitts can make it easier to handle hot accessories without relying on a thin kitchen towel.
Look for gloves or mitts specifically rated for the temperatures you expect to encounter.
What to look for
Prioritize:
- Heat rating
- Grip
- Coverage
- Flexibility
- Easy cleaning
Who should buy them?
Buy them if: you frequently remove hot racks, pans or baskets.
Skip them if: your existing oven mitts already provide sufficient heat protection.
10. Air Fryer Cleaning Brush Set
→ Browse air fryer cleaning tools on Amazon
Best for: Cleaning corners, vents and hard-to-reach areas
Air fryer cleaning is often more about the small spaces than the large surfaces.
A suitable cleaning brush can help remove crumbs and residue from areas that are difficult to reach with a normal sponge.
What to look for
Choose a brush with:
- Soft or appropriately designed bristles
- A comfortable handle
- A shape suited to narrow areas
- Materials compatible with the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions
Avoid aggressive abrasive tools that could damage non-stick surfaces.
Who should buy one?
Buy it if: you frequently cook greasy or crumb-heavy foods.
Skip it if: your air fryer components are already easy to clean with your normal kitchen tools.
Which Air Fryer Accessories Should You Buy First?
You don’t need all ten.
If you’re a beginner
Start with:
- Silicone-tipped tongs
- Meat thermometer
- Silicone liner or parchment liners
If cleanup is your biggest problem
- Reusable silicone liner
- Parchment liners
- Cleaning brush
If you cook lots of meat
Start with:
- Instant-read thermometer
- Silicone-tipped tongs
- Air fryer rack
If you want to cook larger batches
Start with:
- Air fryer rack
- Compatible crisper/grill tray
If you want to bake
Start with:
- Air fryer baking pan
- Silicone baking accessories
If you cook vegetables and potatoes frequently
Start with:
- Oil sprayer
- Silicone-tipped tongs
- Liner
Are Air Fryer Accessory Kits Worth Buying?
Usually, you don’t need to buy a large accessory kit just because it contains more pieces.
A 20-piece kit may include useful items, but it can also contain accessories that you rarely use.
Instead of asking:
“How many accessories do I get?”
ask:
“Will I actually use these accessories with my air fryer?”
For most people, purchasing two or three useful individual accessories can make more sense than buying a large kit filled with specialized pieces.
If you are considering a kit, check each included item individually and make sure the dimensions are compatible with your air fryer.
What Air Fryer Accessories Should You Avoid?
Be cautious with accessories that:
- Don’t list precise dimensions
- Don’t provide a clear temperature rating
- Don’t specify compatible air fryer sizes or models
- Appear to block a significant amount of airflow
- Include many pieces you have no specific use for
- Have unclear material or food-contact information
The cheapest accessory isn’t necessarily the best value if it doesn’t fit your air fryer.
How Do I Know If an Air Fryer Accessory Will Fit?
The safest approach is to check your air fryer’s model number and internal basket dimensions before buying.
Don’t rely only on descriptions such as:
- “Universal”
- “Fits most air fryers”
- “Large size”
Compare the accessory’s dimensions with the usable space inside your specific model.
Also check whether the accessory’s height could interfere with the heating element.
Do You Really Need Air Fryer Accessories?
No. An air fryer does not require a collection of accessories to work properly.
Accessories are useful when they solve a specific problem.
If your main complaints are difficult cleanup, limited cooking space, uncertainty about meat doneness or difficulty handling hot food, there are inexpensive accessories that can address those issues.
If your air fryer already does everything you need, there is no reason to buy accessories simply because they are marketed as “must-haves.”
Are Silicone Air Fryer Liners Better Than Parchment Liners?
Neither is automatically better.
Silicone liners are reusable and can be convenient for regular cooking.
Parchment liners are disposable and can be convenient when you want quick cleanup.
Your choice depends on how often you use your air fryer, what foods you cook and whether you prefer reusable or disposable products.
Whichever option you choose, make sure it is suitable for your air fryer and does not interfere with safe airflow or contact the heating element.
What Are the Best Air Fryer Accessories for Beginners?
For someone buying their first few accessories, a simple starting combination is:
1. Instant-read meat thermometer
For checking meat rather than relying entirely on cooking time.
2. Silicone-tipped tongs
For turning and removing food safely.
3. Silicone liner or perforated parchment liners
For reducing cleanup when appropriate.
After those, add a rack, oil sprayer or baking pan according to the type of food you normally cook.
FAQ
What accessories are actually worth buying for an air fryer?
The most useful air fryer accessories are those that solve a specific cooking problem. For most people, the best starting options are an instant-read meat thermometer, silicone-tipped tongs, a reusable silicone liner or perforated parchment liners, and a compatible cooking rack. You don’t need to buy every accessory available; choose products based on the foods you cook and the size of your air fryer.
Do I really need accessories for my air fryer?
No. An air fryer can be used without additional accessories. Accessories are optional tools that can make particular tasks easier, such as checking meat temperature, cleaning the basket, handling hot food, or increasing available cooking space. If your air fryer already meets your cooking needs, there is no reason to purchase accessories simply because they are marketed as “must-haves.”
What are the best air fryer accessories for beginners?
Beginners can start with three basic accessories: silicone-tipped kitchen tongs, an instant-read meat thermometer, and either a reusable silicone liner or suitable perforated parchment liners. These cover common needs such as handling food, checking meat doneness and simplifying cleanup. Additional accessories can be purchased later based on your cooking habits.
Are silicone air fryer liners worth it?
Silicone liners can be worthwhile if you want to make cleanup easier or frequently cook foods that leave grease, marinades or sticky residue behind. However, they are not necessary for every air fryer user. Before purchasing one, check its dimensions and make sure its design is appropriate for your particular air fryer and does not interfere with proper airflow.
Are parchment liners safe to use in an air fryer?
Parchment liners can be suitable for air-fryer cooking when they are specifically designed or rated for the intended use and are used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A loose sheet of parchment should not be allowed to move toward an exposed heating element. Perforated designs can also help maintain airflow around the food.
Is an air fryer rack worth buying?
An air fryer rack can be useful if you regularly run out of cooking space or want to arrange certain foods on more than one level. However, adding a rack does not mean you should automatically double the amount of food in the basket. Adequate airflow is important for air-fryer cooking, so avoid overcrowding the food.
Do air fryer accessories fit all air fryers?
No. Air fryer accessories are not universally compatible. Basket dimensions, cooking-chamber height and the design of individual air fryers vary considerably. Before buying an accessory, check your air fryer’s model number and internal dimensions and compare them with the accessory manufacturer’s measurements.
Can I use metal accessories in an air fryer?
Some metal accessories are specifically designed for air-fryer use, including certain racks, pans and trays. However, compatibility depends on the accessory, the air fryer and the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid using accessories that could damage a non-stick surface or interfere with the heating element or airflow.
What is the best air fryer accessory for cooking chicken?
An instant-read meat thermometer is one of the most useful accessories for cooking chicken because it allows you to check the internal temperature rather than relying solely on cooking time. Silicone-tipped tongs are also useful for turning or removing chicken without using your hands.
What air fryer accessories make cleaning easier?
Reusable silicone liners, suitable parchment liners and appropriately designed cleaning brushes can make certain cleanup tasks easier. However, accessories should not replace regular cleaning of the air fryer. Always follow the cleaning instructions provided for your specific model.
Are air fryer accessory kits worth buying?
Large accessory kits are not automatically better value. Some kits contain several specialized pieces that may rarely be used. For many households, buying two or three individual accessories that solve specific problems can be more practical than purchasing a large bundle. If you choose a kit, check the dimensions, materials, temperature ratings and intended uses of the individual pieces.
Final Verdict
The best air fryer accessories aren’t necessarily the ones included in the biggest bundle.
For most air fryer owners, the smartest approach is to buy accessories according to a specific need.
If you cook meat regularly, prioritize an instant-read thermometer.
If cleanup is your biggest frustration, consider a reusable silicone liner or perforated parchment liners.
If you frequently flip food, choose silicone-tipped tongs.
If you need additional cooking space, look for a compatible rack.
And if you want to expand beyond basic air-fryer meals, a baking pan or grill/crisper tray may be worth adding.
Before purchasing any accessory, always check the dimensions, temperature rating, material information and compatibility with your specific air fryer model.
You don’t need every accessory. You just need the ones that solve the problems you actually have.