Best Air Fryer Accessories Worth Buying: Liners, Racks, and More

## Introduction Air fryer accessory companies want you to buy dozens of specialty tools: silicone molds, rotating baskets, pizza pans, wooden skewers, and more. Some are genuinely useful; many are marketing fluff. This guide separates the essential accessories from the gimmicks and helps you decide which are worth your money based on what you actually cook. ## Essential Accessories (Buy These First) ### Air Fryer Liners and Parchment Paper **Cost:** $8-15 for a pack of 50-100 **What they do:** Paper liners catch grease and food particles before they contact your basket, reducing cleanup and protecting the non-stick coating. **Why buy:** This is the single best investment for air fryer longevity. Paper liners reduce cleaning time by 80% and prevent grease from accumulating on the mesh. **How to use:** - Place a liner in the basket before adding food - Use for any greasy items (chicken thighs, beef ribs, bacon) - Safe up to 400°F (check manufacturer specs) - Compostable and disposable **Verdict:** Essential. Buy this. ### Silicone Reusable Liners **Cost:** $12-25 for a set (usually 2-4) **What they do:** Reusable silicone mats that catch grease, eliminating paper waste after hundreds of uses. **Why buy:** If you cook 3+ times per week, reusable liners save money and reduce waste after 1 year. **Drawbacks:** - Take up storage space - Must be washed after each use - Food can stick to silicone edges - Less effective at catching small particles compared to paper **Verdict:** Optional but worthwhile for frequent users. Paper liners are cheaper initially; silicone breaks even after 50-60 uses. ### Cooking Spray for Air Fryers **Cost:** $5-8 per can **What they do:** Avocado or olive oil spray helps foods crisp and prevents sticking without excessive oil. **Why buy:** Regular non-stick spray can damage air fryer coatings (they contain lecithin that builds up). Air fryer-specific sprays avoid this. **Verdict:** Essential if you cook vegetables or lean proteins that stick. Regular cooking spray works but risks coating damage. ## Highly Useful Accessories ### Wire Racks and Stackable Trays **Cost:** $15-30 **What they do:** Double or triple your basket capacity by stacking layers. Multiple items cook simultaneously without touching. **Best for:** Cooking large batches (20+ wings, whole meals with sides) **Drawbacks:** - Only work in larger (10+ quart) air fryers - Require careful placement so hot air circulates - Some racks are poorly designed and trap grease **Verdict:** Useful if you frequently cook multiple items or have a large family. Skip if you have a small fryer. ### Metal Skewers and Kebab Holders **Cost:** $8-15 **What they do:** Hold food upright (kebabs, chicken skewers) for even cooking from all sides. **Best for:** Marinated vegetables, shrimp, chicken skewers **Drawbacks:** - Limited use cases - Handle gets hot; needs tongs to manage - Wooden skewers (soaked) work similarly free **Verdict:** Useful for kebab enthusiasts; skip if you rarely cook skewered food. ### Grill Pan or Mesh Tray **Cost:** $12-20 **What they do:** A flat perforated tray lets you cook food that would fall through the basket (smaller vegetables, delicate fish). **Best for:** Asparagus, shrimp, fish fillets, sliced vegetables **Drawbacks:** - Requires frequent turning for even cooking - Can trap grease in grooves (harder to clean) - Reduces air circulation below the tray **Verdict:** Useful for specific foods, but paper liners achieve similar results for delicate items. ## Sometimes Useful Accessories ### Rotisserie Basket or Rotating Rack **Cost:** $25-45 **What they do:** Automatically rotate food during cooking for even browning (if your air fryer has a rotation setting). **Best for:** Whole chickens, large cuts that need all-sides crisping **Drawbacks:** - Only works in compatible fryers - Takes up more vertical space - Rotisseries are usually available only on premium models **Verdict:** Nice if your fryer has a rotisserie function; otherwise, manual flipping works fine. ### Pizza Stone or Shallow Baking Pan **Cost:** $10-20 **What they do:** Adds a flat surface for cooking items that normally require oven baking (pizza, pastries, casseroles). **Best for:** Small pizzas (6-8 inch), reheating leftovers, baking cookies **Drawbacks:** - Takes up significant basket space - Doesn't always fit well (depends on fryer size) - Oven or actual pizza maker often works better **Verdict:** Useful only if you regularly make small pizzas or bake in the air fryer. ## Gimmicks (Skip These) ### Specialized Silicone Molds **Cost:** $15-30 **What they do:** Silicone molds shaped like muffins, cupcakes, or breakfast portions. **Why skip:** You can achieve the same results with a regular ramekin or muffin tin, which costs less and are easier to clean. ## Verdict: Skip. ### Air Fryer Liners With High Sides **Cost:** $15-20 **What they do:** Deeper paper liners that supposedly prevent leaks and catch more grease. **Why skip:** Standard liners work fine; high-sided versions often don't fit well and add unnecessary cost. **Verdict:** Skip standard liners instead. ### Wooden Skewers and Grill Mats **Cost:** $8-12 **What they do:** Wooden skewers (you soak in water) or wooden grilling mats. **Why skip:** You already have utensils at home. Soak wooden skewers from your kitchen drawer, or use metal skewers. **Verdict:** Skip; you have these already. ### Specialized Oil or Seasoning Sprays **Cost:** $8-15 **What they do:** Pre-mixed oils and seasonings optimized for air frying. **Why skip:** Make your own blend (olive oil + desired spices) for a fraction of the cost. **Verdict:** Skip; DIY blends work identically. ### Cleaning Brushes Sold as "Air Fryer Brushes" **Cost:** $10-18 **What they do:** Soft-bristled brushes marketed specifically for air fryer cleaning. **Why skip:** A regular soft toothbrush or kitchen brush costs $2-5 and works the same. **Verdict:** Skip; buy a regular brush. ## Smart Accessory Combinations by Cooking Style ### For Batch Cooking Buy: Paper liners, wire racks (if fryer is large), cooking spray. **Total cost:** $25-40 **Benefit:** Maximize basket capacity, minimize cleanup. ### For Vegetable-Heavy Cooking Buy: Grill pan, cooking spray, air fryer liner. **Total cost:** $20-35 **Benefit:** Cook delicate vegetables without losing them, easy cleanup. ### For Rotisserie/Whole Protein Cooking Buy: Cooking spray, liners, optional rotisserie basket (if compatible). **Total cost:** $15-50 **Benefit:** Even browning, minimal cleanup, extended equipment life. ### For Frequent Cooking (3+ times per week) Buy: Reusable silicone liners, wire racks, cooking spray, mesh tray. **Total cost:** $50-80 **Benefit:** Reduced waste, faster cleanup, extended basket life. ## Storage Organization If you buy multiple accessories, organize them smartly: - **Stack racks and trays** vertically in a cabinet or drawer - **Store liners** in a labeled container (prevents them from scattering) - **Keep cooking spray** near the air fryer for easy grab-and-spray - **Label everything** so family members know what each tool is for ## Warranty and Safety Considerations Before buying third-party accessories: 1. **Check your fryer's manual** — Some aftermarket accessories void warranties 2. **Verify temperature ratings** — All accessories must be safe to your fryer's max temperature (typically 400-450°F) 3. **Confirm size compatibility** — Accessories must fit your specific fryer model 4. **Read reviews specifically for your model** — A rack that works for Cosori may not fit Ninja ## Money-Saving Strategy **Start minimal:** Paper liners + cooking spray. **If you like cooking, add:** Wire racks (if you have a large fryer). **If you cook frequently, add:** Reusable silicone liners and grill pan. **Skip:** Everything else until you have a specific need. Most people end up using only 3-4 accessories regularly. Resist the urge to buy the full set; many air fryer accessory packs include items you'll never use. ## Conclusion The best air fryer accessories are paper liners and cooking spray—they protect your equipment, reduce cleanup, and cost under $20 combined. Wire racks are useful for large families or batch cooking. Everything else is optional and depends on what you cook. Skip expensive specialty molds, pre-mixed sprays, and brand-name cleaning tools; your existing kitchen tools work identically. Invest accessory money only if you use your air fryer multiple times per week. For casual users, paper liners alone solve most problems. For serious cooks, a combination of liners, racks, and a grill pan unlocks versatility without breaking the budget.