The air fryer is a hero when it comes to things like crispy bacon or quick salmon, but it can do way more than just reheat leftovers. If you're only using the basic basket that came in the box, you're missing out on about half of what the machine is capable of.
Some air fryer accessories we tried help to manage the food inside, expanding the options for what you can cook. Others help keep the cooking chamber clean so you don't have to spend time deep-cleaning the basket.
We've done all the testing for you, so you don't have to, and these eight air fryer accessories are worth adding to your arsenal.
For even coating of wings, veggies and other air fryer foods, a cheap oil sprayer is the move. You can drizzle and shake oil to disperse, but a sprayer will keep more of the oil on your food and prevent it from being wasted on the basket.
Speaking of oil, these are the best cooking oils to use in an air fryer, according to chefs.
These liners can make the clean-up process after cooking much simpler, and they are even dishwasher safe. They are ideal for cooking food directly on the liner or for pairing with baking dishes to make removing the dishes from the air fryer a breeze.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that these silicone baskets are quite thick, so if you do cook directly on them, you may need to increase your cooking time. They are compatible with air fryer baskets that are 6 quarts or larger.
If a silicone liner isn't your speed, disposable parchment paper liners work just as well. They're more eco-friendly (and budget-friendly) than lining your basket with aluminum foil, and make post-cooking cleanup a non-issue.
To get even more mileage out of them, I reccomend using them for only the messiest air fryer recipes and for drier foods, you can likely get several uses out of a single sheet.
If I could recommend only one item to pair with your air fryer, kitchen tongs would be it. I use them nearly every time I use my air fryer. They are perfect for flipping chicken wings or chicken thighs during the cooking process or removing hot food from the air fryer after it's finished cooking.
You'll want to make sure to purchase tongs with silicone tips so that they don't scratch your air fryer and the non-stick coating that the majority of the baskets have.
Depending on what you're cooking and the size of your air fryer, a double rack can add more cooking space and allow you to cook more than one type of food at a time. The metal skewers, which sit perfectly on the top rack are ideal for cooking both vegetable and meat kebabs.
Baking pans can open up the possibility of creating additional types of food in your air fryer, such as breads, casseroles and cakes and minimize the mess created inside the appliance. The handle on the bread pan makes it especially easy to lift out of the air fryer.
While these baking pans are on the smaller side, they are perfect for cooking meals for two, reheating food or even making a delicious dip. You can choose between 6-, 7- or 8-inch pans.
Read more: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Air Fryers (but Were Afraid to Ask)
Although I was initially skeptical about this tool, I am now thoroughly impressed with its capabilities after testing it. This handy metal claw-like gripper is great for lifting hot dishes out of the air fryer that don't feature a built-in handle. They work especially well with pans and bowls that have a lip.
Make delicious muffins, rolls or egg bites in this silicone baking accessory. The seven-cup mold is compatible with air fryers baskets that are 5 quarts or larger. The holders are also nonstick, ensuring easy removal after cooking. Amazon buyers love how easy the molds are to clean.
(Tip: You can place the mold in the metal pizza pan while it cooks, then use the hot plate gripper to remove it from the hot air fryer with ease.)
A meat thermometer is a must in my household, especially when I'm cooking chicken. If you want to try cooking an entire roast chicken in your air fryer or any other meats, the thermometer will let you know when the food has reached a safe temperature to eat.
Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, while beef and pork should reach at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
