Air fryers are marketed as all-in-one miracle appliances. In reality, they’re compact convection ovens with excellent airflow and limited space. That design is both their strength and their limitation.
If you use your air fryer occasionally — frozen fries, nuggets, reheating leftovers — you may not need any accessories at all. But if you cook with it several times per week, experiment with recipes, or rely on it instead of your full oven, you’ll likely run into one of these issues:
- The basket gets greasy fast
- Cheese or marinade drips and burns
- You can’t cook enough food at once
- Baked goods don’t fit properly
- Food lacks crispness
- Cleanup becomes annoying
Air fryer accessories exist to solve these specific friction points. Some genuinely make daily cooking easier. Others sound helpful but rarely leave the drawer.
This guide breaks down the most useful air fryer accessories. Whether you’re using a compact basket model or a larger unit like the Cosori TurboBlaze 9-in-1 or an infrared-based system such as the T-fal Infrared Air Fryer, these insights apply to real-world home cooking.
Accessory | Main Problem It Solves | Best For | Trade-Off | |
Silicone Basket Liner | Difficult cleanup | Everyday meals | Slight airflow reduction | ; |
Perforated Parchment Paper | Sticky/delicate food | Beginners | Ongoing cost | ; |
Multi-Layer Rack | Small cooking capacity | Families | Requires rotation | ; |
Skewer Rack | Uneven kebabs | Grill-style cooking | Prep time | ; |
Baking Pan | Batter & casseroles | Baking | Less crisping | ; |
Pizza Pan | Soft dough support | Pizza lovers | Limited versatility | ; |
Oil Sprayer Bottle | Dry texture | Health-conscious cooks | Needs cleaning | ; |
Silicone Pot with Handles | Saucy meals | Meal prep | Reduced browning | ; |
Grill Pan / Crisper Plate | Surface texture | Meat & vegetables | Harder cleaning | ; |
Understanding Airflow: The Core of Every Decision
Before choosing accessories, you need to understand one principle: airflow is everything.
Air fryers cook by rapidly circulating hot air around food. Anything solid that blocks airflow changes how food browns and crisps.
That’s not necessarily bad. It just means every accessory involves a trade-off between convenience and airflow performance.
If you’ve ever wondered why your food sometimes lacks crispness, this guide about why your food comes out dry in an air fryer explains common airflow and moisture mistakes.
Keep airflow in mind as we go through each accessory.
1. Silicone Basket Liners: Convenience vs Crispness
Silicone basket liners are one of the most commonly purchased air fryer accessories, and for good reason. They’re reusable, flexible, and designed to sit inside the basket while catching grease and crumbs.
They also protect the nonstick coating from wear. If you’re particularly concerned about coating durability or prefer PTFE-free materials, some newer air fryers use ceramic-coated baskets designed to resist scratching and simplify cleanup. This guide to air fryers with ceramic-coated baskets explains how these models differ from traditional non-stick designs and which ones are currently worth considering.
What They Do Well
In daily cooking, this accessory shines when you’re preparing foods that release fat or sauce — chicken thighs, salmon, reheated leftovers, or marinated vegetables. Instead of scrubbing baked-on residue, you simply remove the liner and wash it, often in the dishwasher. They also protect the nonstick coating from wear.
Where They Fall Short
The trade-off is airflow. Because silicone liners create a partial barrier, you may notice slightly less crispness on the bottom of certain foods. For most home cooks, the difference is small. But if maximum crunch is your priority, this is something to consider.
In larger, powerful models like the Cosori TurboBlaze 9-in-1, the airflow strength often compensates. In smaller compact fryers, the effect may be more noticeable.
Verdict
If you cook daily and value easier cleanup, this is one of the few accessories that consistently earns its space. If maximum crispness is your top priority, you may prefer parchment instead.
For deeper cleaning tips, see How to clean air fryer basket.
2. Perforated Parchment Paper: Beginner-Friendly Simplicity
Perforated parchment sheets are pre-cut paper liners with holes that allow air to circulate. They are extremely beginner-friendly and require no trimming or adjustments.
They’re ideal for:
- Fish
- Dumplings
- Sticky glazes
- Soft baked goods
If you’re unsure about safety, this guide about using parchment paper in an air fryer explains when and how to use it correctly.
Advantages
- Minimal impact on airflow
- Extremely easy to use
- No scrubbing required
Downsides
- Single-use
- Can fly up if placed in preheated fryer without food
Parchment is disposable. If you cook daily, costs can add up over time. It’s also important never to preheat your air fryer with parchment inside and no food on top — it can fly up and touch the heating element.
Verdict
Excellent for beginners who want low commitment and minimal cleanup. Not ideal for heavy daily use due to recurring cost.
3. Oil Sprayer Bottles: The Most Underrated Upgrade
One of the most overlooked accessories is the oil sprayer bottle. Many beginners assume air fryers require no oil at all. In reality, a light, even mist improves browning and texture.
An oil sprayer allows you to control quantity better than pouring from a bottle. It also avoids aerosol additives.
If your food tends to turn out overly dry, consider reading why your food comes out dry — often, insufficient oil is part of the issue.
Verdict
One of the most practical and inexpensive accessories you can buy. Suitable for nearly everyone.
4. Multi-Layer Racks: Solving the Capacity Problem
One of the biggest limitations of an air fryer is space. Multi-layer racks attempt to solve this by allowing you to stack food vertically.
In practice, they can be very useful — but only if used correctly. Cooking multiple layers means you must rotate trays halfway through to ensure even browning. Without rotation, the top layer may cook faster than the bottom.
When They Work Best
- Wings
- Fries
- Dehydrating fruit
- Batch cooking
Important Reality
You must rotate trays halfway through. Without rotation, top layers cook faster.
In taller units like the Cosori TurboBlaze 9-in-1, airflow between layers is more consistent than in shallow basket models.
Verdict
Worth it for families or meal preppers. Overkill for singles or couples.
If you’re still deciding whether expanding your setup makes sense, Is air fryer worth it for beginners can help clarify expectations.
5. Baking Pans: Turning the Air Fryer Into a Mini Oven
A baking pan or “cake barrel” transforms your air fryer into a compact oven. You can prepare brownies, small cakes, casseroles, or even baked pasta. Many cooks also wonder whether glass baking dishes can be used in an air fryer, especially when making casseroles or desserts.
This accessory is surprisingly practical if you use your air fryer instead of heating a large oven. It prevents dripping and keeps batter contained.
Trade-Off
The compromise is airflow. Air fryers excel at crisping because hot air surrounds food. When you insert a solid pan, that airflow is reduced. Baking works well, but crispy foods are better left directly in the basket.
Who Benefits Most
- Small households
- People avoiding heating a large oven
- Apartment kitchens
6. Pizza Pans: For Regular Pizza Makers
A pizza pan is essentially a shallow tray designed to support flat foods. While similar to a baking pan, it’s optimized for thinner dishes.
If pizza night is a weekly habit, this accessory can be worthwhile. It prevents cheese from dripping into the basket and helps support soft dough.
For occasional pizza cooks, your standard basket may be sufficient.
For temperature and timing tips, this guide on pizza in an air fryer provides detailed guidance.
7. Silicone Pots with Handles: Containment and Safety
Silicone pots are deeper than liners and often include built-in handles. They’re particularly helpful for saucy dishes, reheating pasta, or meal prep portions.
These deeper silicone containers are excellent for:
- Saucy meals
- Rice dishes
- Reheating pasta
- Casseroles
Because they fully contain liquids, they protect your basket coating and simplify cleaning. However, they significantly reduce direct airflow, meaning crisp textures will be limited.
These work well in models like the T-fal Infrared Air Fryer, where strong heating elements compensate somewhat for airflow reduction.
Verdict
Great for reheating and meal prep. Not ideal for crispy foods.
8. Skewer Racks: Niche but Effective
Skewer racks create even airflow around kebabs.
They’re excellent for vegetables and chicken but require more prep time.
Most home cooks use these occasionally rather than daily.
9. Grill Pans and Crisper Plates: Texture Enhancement
Grill pans are designed to create raised grill marks and allow air circulation underneath food.
They’re useful for steak, burgers, or vegetables where texture matters. However, they’re not essential for everyday cooking and can be harder to clean.
For cooks who prioritize surface browning and grill-style presentation, they offer value. For general users, they’re optional.
How to Decide: A Practical Buying Framework
Instead of asking “Which accessory is best?” ask:
- What frustrates me most right now?
- Do I cook for more than two people?
- Do I bake in my air fryer?
- Do I struggle with dryness or lack of crispness?
- Do I hate scrubbing the basket?
Then match the solution:
- Cleanup frustration → Silicone liner or parchment
- Dry texture → Oil sprayer
- Not enough space → Multi-layer rack
- Baking often → Baking pan
- Saucy meals → Silicone pot
- Grill texture → Crisper plate
For model-specific insights, you can read the full T-fal infrared review or the Cosori 9 TurboBlaze review for compatibility considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do accessories slow down cooking?
Some may add 1–3 minutes by reducing airflow, especially solid silicone or metal pans.
Are universal accessories safe?
Usually yes, but measure basket diameter and height carefully.
Can accessories damage the heating element?
Only if oversized or placed too high. Leave proper clearance.
Do I need a full accessory kit?
No. Most home cooks consistently use only two or three accessories.
What’s the first accessory I should buy?
A silicone liner or oil sprayer. Both improve daily cooking immediately.
Final Thoughts: Buy Based on Friction, Not Marketing
Air fryer accessories should solve real cooking problems — not create new ones.
If you cook a few times a week, start small. Add one accessory that addresses your biggest frustration. Use it for a month. Then reassess.
That measured approach leads to a more efficient kitchen and fewer unused gadgets.
The best accessory is not the one marketed as “essential.”
It’s the one that quietly makes your daily cooking easier.