Scroll through Amazon for five minutes and you’ll find hundreds of air fryer accessories promising to “unlock” hidden features or “transform” your cooking. Most won’t. A few genuinely will. This guide cuts through the noise.
Here’s the honest reality about air fryer accessories: you don’t need a 15-piece starter kit to get crispy wings. In fact, most air fryer owners over-buy, under-use, and end up with a drawer full of pans they’ve touched twice. So instead of pitching you every gadget that shows up in a TikTok haul, we’re going to walk through what actually earns a spot on your counter — and what’s safe to skip.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which air fryer accessories make cooking easier, which ones are marketing fluff, and the specific Amazon picks we trust in 2026. No fluff, no filler.
In This Article
Do You Actually Need Air Fryer Accessories?
Short answer: it depends on how you cook. A basic air fryer already handles 90% of everyday tasks — frozen snacks, reheats, chicken wings, roasted veggies. So for plenty of people, the basket alone gets the job done.
But the moment you want to bake, cook multiple items at once, make kabobs, or stop scrubbing grease off the basket every single night, accessories start to earn their keep. That’s where the real value lives — not in gimmicks, but in solving actual friction points.
Think of accessories in three buckets:
- Cleanup savers — liners and parchment that mean you never scrub the basket again.
- Capability expanders — racks, pans, and skewers that let you cook things the basket can’t.
- Precision helpers — oil sprayers, magnetic charts, and thermometers that help you actually nail cook times.
Anything outside those three buckets is usually just noise. Keep that filter in mind as you scroll — it’s the same one we used when picking the products below.
Quick Comparison: Our Top Air Fryer Accessories for 2026
Here’s a snapshot of every pick before we dig in. Each one earned its spot by solving a real problem — not just looking shiny on a listing page.
| Accessory | Best For | Price Range | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Piece Accessory Set | Starting from scratch | $25–$35 | 5.3qt+ air fryers |
| Reusable Silicone Liners | Skipping cleanup forever | $10–$15 | 4–7qt baskets |
| Disposable Parchment Liners | Messy or greasy foods | $10–$15 | 5–8qt baskets |
| Non-Aerosol Oil Sprayer | Controlled oil portions | $20–$30 | Any kitchen |
| Magnetic Cook Times Chart | Beginners & forgetful cooks | $10–$15 | Any air fryer |
| Skewer Rack Accessory | Kabobs & vertical cooking | $15–$20 | Large/XL fryers |
| Multi-Layer Rack Set | Cooking two foods at once | $10–$15 | 2.5qt+ baskets |
The Air Fryer Accessories Worth Buying
These are the seven accessories we’d actually recommend to a friend. Each one targets a specific pain point, so mix and match based on how you cook — there’s no need to buy all of them.
1. 12-Piece Air Fryer Accessories Set
If you’re new to air frying and want one box that covers almost everything, a well-built 12-piece kit is hard to beat. This set bundles a cake barrel, pizza pan, cupcake pan, metal holder, skewer rack, toast rack, silicone mat, food tong, oil brush, and 100 parchment sheets — all sized to fit 5.3qt and larger baskets.
The nonstick coating holds up to daily use, everything is dishwasher safe, and the whole set stacks inside the cake barrel for easy storage. It’s the closest thing to a one-click solution if you don’t want to piece things together individually.
Covers most common cooking tasks in a single box. Dishwasher-safe nonstick pieces. Stacks neatly for storage.
Won’t fit air fryers smaller than 5.3qt. Some pieces you may never use depending on your cooking style.
2. Boribim Reusable Silicone Air Fryer Liners (2-Pack)
If you only buy one air fryer accessory, make it a reusable silicone liner. These 8-inch square liners drop straight into the basket, catch every drip, and pull out for a 30-second rinse when you’re done. No more scrubbing stuck-on cheese or greasy residue.
They handle temperatures up to 464°F, which means you can run them at full-blast crispy settings without any warping. BPA-free food-grade silicone, dishwasher safe, and built thicker than most competing liners. Fits 4–7qt baskets.
Eliminates basket cleanup almost entirely. Reusable — pays for itself in weeks. Heat-safe to 464°F.
Slightly reduces airflow around the edges. Not ideal for foods that need maximum crisping on the bottom.
We compared both in our deep-dive: Air Fryer vs Convection Oven: Do You Need Both? →
3. Disposable Parchment Paper Liners (100-Pack)
Silicone liners win for everyday use, but disposable parchment rounds still earn a spot in your drawer. They shine when you’re cooking something extra messy — like wings coated in sauce or cheesy breaded items — because you can ditch the whole mess straight into the trash.
These round parchment sheets are oil-proof, water-proof, heat-resistant up to 428°F, and pre-cut to fit most 5–8qt baskets. Grab a pack, toss them in your pantry, and reach for one whenever the recipe looks like it’ll fight your basket.
Zero cleanup for messy recipes. Pre-cut to size. Food-grade and heat-safe.
Single-use, so they add up over time. Never preheat without food on top — they can lift and hit the heating element.
4. Evo Non-Aerosol Oil Sprayer (18-oz, Set of 2)
Store-bought cooking spray is convenient, but those aerosol cans strip the nonstick coating off air fryer baskets over time — it’s one of the most common reasons people end up replacing their air fryer early. The Evo sprayer fixes that.
You fill it with your own olive oil (or avocado, canola, whatever), pull the trigger, and get a fine, even fan-shaped mist. No propellants, no chemicals, no coating damage. It’s a small change that dramatically extends the life of your basket — and it doubles as a great salad and grilling tool.
Won’t damage nonstick coatings like aerosol sprays do. Refillable with any cooking oil. Award-winning ergonomic design.
Requires occasional cleaning to prevent clogs with thicker oils. Pricier upfront than a can of Pam.
5. Magnetic Air Fryer Cheat Sheet (2-Piece Set)
Most people Google “how long to air fry broccoli” at least once a week. A magnetic cook times chart stuck to the side of your fryer or fridge solves that forever. This 2-piece set covers 90+ foods with accurate times and temperatures — vegetables, frozen snacks, chicken, beef, seafood, and more.
It’s laminated and oil-resistant, so splatters wipe right off. The large 10.5″ x 6.5″ sheet lives on the fridge and the 5″ x 5″ sheet sticks right to the air fryer itself. It sounds basic, but it genuinely changes how often you’ll use your air fryer.
Eliminates guesswork for 90+ foods. Oil and water resistant. Works with any air fryer brand.
Cook times are estimates — some foods still benefit from a thermometer check. Large magnet needs a flat magnetic surface.
6. INFRAOVENS Stainless Steel Skewer Rack
Kabobs in an air fryer are one of those wins nobody talks about enough. Instead of threading meat onto flimsy bamboo skewers, this stainless steel stand holds 18 metal skewers vertically, freeing up the basket’s floor for veggies underneath. You basically double your cooking surface.
It’s compatible with most 10qt+ air fryers and toaster ovens (check your dimensions first). Chicken, beef, shrimp, veggie kabobs, pork — all come out evenly cooked with zero flipping. If you like kabobs even occasionally, this accessory earns its keep fast.
Doubles your usable cooking space. 18 reusable metal skewers included. Works in ovens too.
Too tall for most basket-style air fryers under 10qt. Requires measuring your fryer first.
7. Multipurpose Double-Layer Rack Set (3-Piece)
If your air fryer is under 5qt, a double-layer rack is basically cheat code. It slots on top of whatever’s in the basket, letting you cook two things at once — fish on the bottom, asparagus on top, for example. The set includes a 6.3″ double-layer rack with 3 skewers plus a 5.5″ toast rack.
Made from 304 stainless steel, fully dishwasher safe, and designed for 2.5qt and larger baskets. For families juggling multiple sides, this is the accessory that turns a small air fryer into a surprisingly capable appliance.
Effectively doubles cooking capacity in small fryers. Sturdy 304 stainless steel. Dishwasher safe.
Not universal — measure your basket first. Can slow browning on whatever sits underneath.
See which gadgets aren’t worth the premium: Kitchen Tools You’re Overpaying For →
Air Fryer Accessories You Can Probably Skip
Now for the part most listicles won’t tell you — because they make money when you buy more, not less. Here are the accessories we’d pass on unless you have a very specific use case.
❌ Collapsible silicone “baskets”
These oversized silicone bowls sit inside your basket and promise easier cleanup. In practice, they block airflow, stretch out over time, and do the same job as a $6 flat liner for three times the price.
❌ Air fryer “gloves”
Unless you’re regularly reaching into the chamber while it’s hot (you shouldn’t be), standard oven mitts work fine. Dedicated air fryer gloves are usually just repackaged heat-resistant gloves with a markup.
❌ Specialty “air fryer cookbooks”
A free magnetic cook times chart plus any food-focused Instagram account covers 95% of what these $25 cookbooks offer. If you want recipe inspiration, the free internet is already swimming in it.
❌ Single-use specialty pans
Donut pans, bundt pans, taco racks — they look fun on Amazon, but most end up in the back of a cabinet after one use. Stick to multi-use pieces that handle many recipes instead of one.
How to Choose the Right Air Fryer Accessories
Before you click add-to-cart on anything, run through this quick filter. It’ll save you from the drawer-of-regret most people accumulate.
Match the size to your basket
This is where most people trip up. A 9-inch pizza pan won’t fit a 4qt basket. A 6-inch rack gets lost in a 10qt. Measure the interior dimensions of your basket before you buy anything — height, width, and depth. If the listing doesn’t mention your air fryer model or basket size explicitly, scroll down to the reviews and search for your model name.
Prioritize cleanup and versatility
The accessories you’ll use every week are the ones that either save cleanup time (liners) or expand what you can cook (racks, skewers). Anything that only unlocks one specific recipe is a lower priority — unless you make that recipe all the time.
Skip the “15-piece kits” unless you’re truly starting fresh
Big kits sound like value, but you usually use three or four pieces and leave the rest in a drawer. Better to buy the two or three items you’ll actually use on repeat than to drop $40 on a giant box.
Check airflow impact
Air fryers work by blasting hot air in a small space, which means anything that blocks airflow affects cooking. Flat liners and open racks are fine. Tall, solid pans can slow things down. Keep that in mind when you’re picking between options.
Pair your air fryer with the right storage: Best Meal Prep Containers (Leakproof + Durable) →
Frequently Asked Questions
Are air fryer accessories universal across brands?
Mostly, yes — but size matters more than brand. A 7-inch pan will fit most 5–6qt baskets regardless of whether you own a Ninja, Cosori, or Instant Pot. Always check the listed dimensions against your basket before buying.
Can I use regular parchment paper in my air fryer?
You can, but it’s risky. Regular parchment paper tends to lift up into the heating element when the fryer is empty or during preheat, which can cause a fire. Pre-cut air fryer parchment liners are perforated and sized to stay put under food — much safer.
Do silicone liners block airflow too much?
Good ones are designed with raised ridges on the bottom that let air circulate underneath. Cheap flat ones can block airflow and slow cooking. The Boribim liners we recommended have the ridge pattern, which is why they’re our pick.
Can I put aluminum foil in my air fryer?
Yes, but only with food weighing it down. Loose foil can fly up into the heating element. Always place foil under food, not on top, and never preheat with empty foil inside the basket.
How do I keep my air fryer basket from scratching?
Two habits: use silicone or wooden tongs instead of metal, and avoid aerosol cooking sprays — the propellants eat away at the nonstick coating. A refillable oil sprayer (like the Evo above) solves the second problem completely.
Are accessory kits worth buying, or should I buy pieces individually?
Kits are worth it if you’re starting from zero and want variety cheap. But if you already know what you cook — mostly wings, or mostly veggies, or mostly frozen snacks — buying two or three targeted accessories usually serves you better than a 12-piece set.
The Bottom Line
The honest truth about air fryer accessories is that you need far fewer than the internet wants you to buy. A set of reusable silicone liners, a decent oil sprayer, and a magnetic cook times chart will transform how you use your air fryer — and they’ll run you under $50 total.
Start there. If you end up wanting more capacity or capability later, layer in a skewer rack or a double-layer insert. Skip the specialty pans and gimmicks until you have a specific recipe that demands them.
The best air fryer accessory is the one you actually reach for every week. Everything else is just taking up drawer space.
Published April 2026 · YourGourmetGadgets Team
I’m Nick F., the founder and lead tester behind Gourmet Gadgets. I’ve spent the last five years buying, using, and putting kitchen gear through its paces in my own home kitchen — from $20 vegetable choppers to high-end blenders and cast-iron skillets — and I started this site because I got tired of “best of” lists written by people who clearly never opened the box.
Cooking has been part of my daily life for much longer than five years. I’m a self-taught home cook who feeds a family, meal-preps every week, and treats the kitchen like a workshop. That hands-on routine is what shapes every recommendation here: I only write up gear after I’ve actually lived with it long enough to know what breaks, what lasts, and what’s worth your money.
Have a question or a product you’d like me to test? Get in touch via the contact page.