10 Best Air Fryer Accessories in 2026: Useful Picks, Not Clutter

The best air fryer accessories solve a specific problem without blocking airflow, scratching the basket or creating a compatibility headache. For most kitchens, silicone-tipped tongs, an instant-read thermometer and one correctly sized liner are more useful than a large universal bundle.

Before buying anything, check the appliance manual and measure the usable width, depth and height of the basket or tray. An accessory can be oven-safe and still be unsuitable for a particular air fryer because it is too large, sits too close to the heating element or prevents hot air from circulating.

If liners are your main priority, first read our guide explaining whether you can use foil, parchment and silicone in an air fryer because manufacturer rules differ by model.

Quick picks: the most useful air fryer accessories

Accessory	Best for	Check before buying	Priority
Silicone-tipped tongs	Turning and removing food	Length and heat rating	Essential
Instant-read thermometer	Checking safe doneness	Speed, range and probe care	Essential
Perforated parchment liners	Sticky or messy foods	Manual approval, size and heat rating	Useful
Reusable silicone liner	Reducing drips and cleanup	Fit, airflow and heat rating	Useful
Small baking pan	Cakes, eggs and casseroles	Oven-safe material and clearance	Useful
Compatible rack and skewers	Extra cooking surface	Exact model fit and stability	Situational
Silicone baking cups	Egg bites and portions	Food-grade rating and fit	Situational
Manual oil sprayer	Applying a thin oil layer	Food-safe materials; no aerosols	Useful
Silicone mini mitts	Handling approved hot accessories	Grip and temperature rating	Situational
Non-scratch cleaning tools	Basket and mesh cleanup	Coating-safe materials	Essential

How we selected these accessories

This is a research-based guide, not a hands-on laboratory test. Recommendations are based on manufacturer instructions, material and temperature information, compatibility, the problem each accessory solves and whether a simpler tool can do the same job. We excluded products that encourage unsafe placement, make unsupported universal-fit claims or add little value beyond the basket supplied with the appliance.

The 10 best air fryer accessories

1. Silicone-tipped tongs

Best for: Best overall accessory

A compact pair of silicone-tipped tongs helps turn, shake and remove food without scraping a nonstick basket. It is useful across almost every air fryer style and does not alter airflow. Choose a pair long enough to keep your hand away from hot surfaces but short enough to control inside the basket.

What to check: Confirm the silicone tips are heat-rated, firmly attached and free from exposed metal edges. Locking handles make storage easier.

2. Fast instant-read food thermometer

Best for: Best for chicken, meat and fish

An instant-read thermometer answers a question that appearance cannot: whether the center of the food has reached the target temperature. This is particularly valuable for thick chicken pieces, burgers, pork and reheated leftovers. Insert the probe into the thickest part without touching bone.

What to check: Look for a readable display, a thin probe, a useful temperature range and simple cleaning instructions. Do not leave an instant-read model inside the air fryer unless its manufacturer explicitly approves continuous high-heat use.

3. Pre-cut perforated parchment liners

Best for: Best disposable liner

Correctly sized perforated parchment can reduce sticking and make cleanup easier for selected foods. It is not approved for every model. When permitted, food must hold the paper down so the fan cannot lift it toward the heating element.

What to check: Match the shape and dimensions to the cooking surface, verify the temperature rating and follow the air fryer manual. Never preheat with loose parchment inside.

4. Reusable food-grade silicone liner

Best for: Best reusable liner

A reusable silicone liner can catch some drips and reduce direct contact between food and the basket. It is heavier than parchment and washable, but it can still reduce browning if it covers too much of the airflow path.

What to check: Confirm food-grade, oven-safe construction, the maximum temperature and the exact basket dimensions. Choose a model-compatible shape with adequate clearance.

5. Small oven-safe baking pan

Best for: Best for baking and saucy foods

A correctly sized pan expands an air fryer beyond loose foods. It can hold cake batter, baked eggs, small casseroles and foods with sauce that would otherwise drip through the basket. Metal, ceramic, glass and silicone behave differently, so use only materials approved by both the pan and appliance manufacturers.

What to check: Measure the interior at its narrowest point and leave space around the pan for circulation. Avoid thermal shock with glass or ceramic, and never assume an ordinary dish is oven-safe.

6. Manufacturer-compatible rack and skewers

Best for: Best for added cooking surface

A stable rack can elevate food or create a second level in models designed to accept one. Skewers can hold smaller pieces for kebabs. This accessory is valuable only when it fits securely and leaves safe clearance below the heating element.

What to check: Prefer an accessory listed for the exact model or dimensions verified against the manual. Check material, height, leg stability and whether the rack interferes with the basket handle or drawer.

7. Individual silicone baking cups

Best for: Best for egg bites and portions

Individual food-grade silicone cups are flexible for egg bites, muffins and small portions because you can arrange only the number that fits. They are generally easier to size than a fixed six-cup pan.

What to check: Verify oven-safe temperature limits, cup height and stability. Leave gaps between cups where the appliance instructions require airflow.

8. Manual pump oil sprayer

Best for: Best for controlled oil application

A manual oil sprayer can apply a thin layer to food more evenly than pouring. It is useful when a recipe benefits from a small amount of oil. Some appliance makers discourage aerosol cooking sprays because additives or propellants may affect coatings, so follow the basket-care instructions.

What to check: Choose food-contact-safe materials and a nozzle that can be cleaned. Do not spray toward the heating element, fan or electrical interior.

9. Heat-resistant silicone mini mitts

Best for: Best for removable hot pans

Small silicone mitts can improve grip when lifting an approved hot pan or rack. They are not a substitute for caution: air fryer baskets, metal accessories and handles may remain hot after cooking.

What to check: Confirm the temperature rating, grip texture and hand coverage. Use full oven mitts when a mini mitt does not protect enough of the hand or wrist.

10. Non-scratch brush and sponge set

Best for: Best for maintenance

A soft brush and non-scratch sponge help clean basket mesh, corners and grooves without aggressive scraping. Keeping accessories simple also reduces the temptation to use wire brushes or metal tools that can damage coated surfaces.

What to check: Check that the tools are labeled safe for nonstick cookware. Follow the air fryer manual before cleaning an element or placing removable parts in a dishwasher.

Five air fryer accessories to skip

Oversized universal bundles

A large bundle often includes duplicate tools or pieces that do not fit. Buy individual accessories only after measuring the appliance.

Solid liners that cover the airflow path

A solid liner may reduce circulation and browning. Even perforated liners require manufacturer approval and correct placement.

Unrated plastic containers

Ordinary plastic can warp or melt. Use only products explicitly rated for the cooking temperature and allowed by the appliance maker.

Tall racks without model compatibility

An unstable or overly tall rack can place food too close to the heating element. Exact fit matters more than the number of tiers.

Aerosol cooking sprays when the manual discourages them

Some sprays contain additives or propellants that may affect nonstick coatings. A refillable manual mister is the more controllable option when oil spray is appropriate.

How to measure your air fryer for accessories

• Unplug the appliance and measure only when it is cool.
• Measure the usable interior width and depth, not the outside of the drawer.
• Measure available height below the heating element or upper rack position.
• Account for handles, rounded corners, crisper-plate supports and required airflow gaps.
• Check the model number against manufacturer compatibility lists before ordering.

When two sizes appear possible, the smaller option usually provides more clearance, but the manual remains the authority. Do not force an accessory into the basket or prevent the drawer from closing normally.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most useful air fryer accessories?

For most users, silicone-tipped tongs, an instant-read thermometer and non-scratch cleaning tools offer the broadest value. Add a liner or baking pan only when it suits the model and the foods you cook.

Do I need accessories to use an air fryer?

No. An air fryer should operate with the basket, tray or racks supplied by the manufacturer. Accessories are optional tools for particular foods or cleanup needs.

How do I know whether an accessory will fit?

Measure the usable interior dimensions and compare them with the product dimensions. Then check the appliance manual or official compatibility list for clearance and placement requirements.

Are silicone air fryer accessories safe?

Food-grade, oven-safe silicone may be suitable when its temperature rating, size and placement comply with the appliance manual. Silicone is not automatically approved for every model.

Can air fryer accessories go in the dishwasher?

Only if both the accessory maker and air fryer manufacturer identify the relevant removable component as dishwasher-safe. Hand washing is the conservative choice for many coated parts.

Do air fryer liners make food less crispy?

They can. Solid or oversized liners may reduce airflow beneath the food. Perforated designs may help, but placement, food load and model design still affect browning.

Should I buy a universal air fryer accessory kit?

Usually not as a first purchase. Universal kits can contain poor-fitting or rarely used pieces. Start with one accessory that solves a recurring problem and add others only when needed.

Final verdict

The best air fryer accessories are not the largest bundle or the longest list. Start with tongs, a reliable instant-read thermometer and coating-safe cleaning tools. Add one properly sized liner, pan or rack only when the manual allows it and the accessory supports food you actually cook. This approach protects airflow, reduces clutter and directs your budget toward tools with a clear job.

For cleaning after cooking, follow our safe air fryer cleaning guide. For reusable liner options, compare our best reusable air fryer liners.