Best Air Fryer Accessories Worth Buying in 2026

The air fryer accessories worth buying are perforated parchment liners, a stainless steel rack, a refillable oil sprayer and an instant-read thermometer. Most other add-ons are plastic extras that duplicate what you already own. This guide shows what each accessory does, how to size it to your basket, and which items to skip.

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The Short List

• Perforated parchment liners: Pre-cut sheets with holes, sold in packs of 100 to 200. Holes keep air moving, which plain parchment blocks.
• Reusable silicone liner: A dishwasher-safe alternative that suits messy marinades and lasts a couple of years.
• Stainless steel rack: Lets you stack food in two layers and nearly doubles usable space.
• Refillable oil sprayer: A pump-style sprayer such as an Evo or Misto avoids aerosol propellants that can damage nonstick baskets.
• Instant-read thermometer: The best beginner accessory because it takes guesswork out of chicken, pork and fish.
• Silicone-tipped tongs: Protect basket coating when flipping food.

Match the Accessory to Your Air Fryer

Measure the inside diameter of your basket at the bottom before buying anything. Liners that are even half an inch too big curl up toward the heating element and can scorch.

Liners: Parchment or Silicone

Perforated parchment is disposable, prevents sticking and makes cleanup trivial. It performs best with glazed foods like teriyaki chicken or honey garlic shrimp. Silicone liners are reusable and handle wet marinades but can hold odors and may blunt crisping on the bottom of food.

• Never preheat an empty air fryer with a loose liner inside; air flow can lift it into the element.
• Always weigh a liner down with food.
• Use only liners rated for air fryer temperatures, usually up to 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Racks, Skewers and Baking Pans

A two-tier rack is useful for cooking wings on top and vegetables below, but food on the lower tier often browns less because it sits farther from the heat source. Rotate trays halfway through. Accessories made from stainless steel last longest and go in the dishwasher; avoid plastic parts altogether since many melt at air fryer temperatures.

Small round baking pans, about 6 to 7 inches wide, are handy for egg bites, reheating dips or baking small cakes. Look for metal or silicone-rimmed pans that clear the basket by at least half an inch so air can circulate.

Thermometers and Sprayers

An instant-read thermometer reads in a second or two and costs far less than a replaced overcooked dinner. Safe internal temperatures to remember: 165 degrees Fahrenheit for poultry, 145 for pork and fish, and 160 for ground meats. A refillable oil sprayer uses about a teaspoon of oil per batch and gives fries and breaded foods a more even crust than tossing in a bowl.

Material Trade-offs

What to Skip

• All-in-one kits stuffed with plastic gadgets.
• Aluminum foil covering the entire basket floor, which blocks airflow.
• Silicone pots larger than your basket.
• Single-purpose gadgets such as egg molds unless you use them weekly.

Cleaning and Safety

Remove the basket after it cools and wash with warm soapy water. Avoid steel wool, which strips nonstick coating. Keep the heating element clear of grease, and unplug the air fryer before wiping inside. Check that any accessory you add leaves room for air to move around the food, as crowded baskets steam instead of crisp.

FAQ

Do I need accessories for an air fryer?

No, but liners, a rack and a thermometer make cleaning and cooking easier and are inexpensive.

Can I use regular parchment paper in an air fryer?

Only if it is perforated or weighed down by food. Solid sheets block airflow and can fly into the element.

Are silicone liners safe?

Food-grade silicone rated for air fryer heat is safe. Check the temperature rating and replace worn liners.

Can I use aluminum foil?

Briefly, around food, yes. Never cover the full basket or put foil in during preheat.

Sample Starter Setups

The right bundle depends on how you cook. Pick a column rather than buying everything at once, and add pieces only after you notice a specific need.

Cooking tips that save accessories

Shake the basket every 5 to 8 minutes for fries, nuggets and vegetables. Pat wet food dry before cooking, since moisture creates steam instead of crispness. Leave a small gap between pieces so air can reach all sides. Dense items like bone-in chicken thighs usually need 18 to 25 minutes at 380 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, while frozen fries need 12 to 18 minutes.

Where accessories wear out

Liners tear when overloaded, silicone discolors with turmeric or tomato sauce, and thin racks bend under heavy cuts of meat. Replace damaged pieces rather than forcing them, because a warped rack can tilt food into the heating element. Store small accessories in a lidded bin so they do not end up scattered in a drawer.

Which Accessories Should You Buy?

New owners should start with perforated liners, an instant-read thermometer and a pump oil sprayer. Add a stainless rack if you regularly cook for more than two. Heavy marinade users should add a silicone liner. Everything else is optional.