If you’ve mastered the basics of air frying and you’re ready to unlock the full potential of your appliance, you’re searching for the best air fryer accessories. While your air fryer came with a standard basket, the right accessories can expand its capabilities, improve your results, and make cleanup significantly easier.
As a kitchen efficiency expert based in Austin, I’ve tested dozens of air fryer accessories over the years. Some are game-changers that I use weekly; others are gimmicks that collect dust in the back of my cabinet. In my Best Air Fryers of 2026 guide, I recommend machines with accessory compatibility, and here’s what you should actually buy.
Here are the 10 best air fryer accessories that deliver real value in 2026.
Table of Contents
Why Air Fryer Accessories Matter
Before we dive into the best air fryer accessories, let’s understand what they solve:
The Problems Accessories Fix:
- Limited Capacity: Racks and pans let you cook multiple items at once.
- Sticking Food: Liners prevent food from welding to the basket (see my How to Prevent Food from Sticking to Air Fryer Basket guide).
- Cleanup Time: Reusable liners eliminate scrubbing.
- Food Variety: Specialty pans enable baking, grilling, and roasting.
Accessory #1: Perforated Parchment Paper Liners (The Must-Have)
This is #1 on every list of best air fryer accessories for good reason.
Why You Need It:
- Prevents food from sticking to the basket
- Makes cleanup instant (just throw the paper away)
- Allows airflow through the perforations
- Pre-cut to fit most basket sizes
The 2026 Upgrade: Modern liners are made from unbleached, food-grade parchment and are oven-safe up to 450°F.
Best for: Sticky foods like marinated chicken, saucy wings, or anything with cheese.
What to Buy: Look for packs of 100+ pre-cut, pre-perforated squares (6″, 8″, or 9″ depending on your basket size).
Related Guide: See my Can You Put Aluminum Foil in an Air Fryer for liner safety rules.
Accessory #2: Reusable Silicone Liner (The Eco-Friendly Choice)
For those following my Smart Kitchen Organization Hacks philosophy, reusable is better than disposable.
Why You Need It:
- Made from food-grade, BPA-free silicone
- Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
- Lasts for years (300+ uses)
- Raised pattern allows airflow
The 2026 Upgrade: New silicone liners have deeper grooves and higher heat resistance (up to 480°F).
Best for: Daily cooking when you want zero-waste kitchen practices.
Pro Tip: Buy two—one for sweet foods (like donuts) and one for savory (like chicken).
Accessory #3: Multi-Layer Rack or Skewer Rack (The Capacity Booster)
This is one of the best air fryer accessories for families or meal preppers.
Why You Need It:
- Doubles or triples your cooking capacity
- Allows you to cook different foods simultaneously
- Creates vertical space in your basket
The 2026 Options:
- Stackable Racks: Two-tier or three-tier metal racks that sit inside the basket
- Skewer Racks: Hold kebabs vertically for even cooking
Best for: Cooking proteins and vegetables at the same time, or making kebabs.
Related Guide: See my How to Cook Frozen Foods in an Air Fryer for layering strategies.
Accessory #4: Silicone Baking Cups (The Portion Control Tool)
These are underrated but incredibly useful best air fryer accessories.
Why You Need It:
- Perfect for making egg bites, muffins, or mini frittatas
- Prevents food from spreading in the basket
- Creates individual portions automatically
The 2026 Upgrade: Modern silicone cups are oven-safe, microwave-safe, and freezer-safe.
Best for: Breakfast meal prep and portion-controlled snacks.
Accessory #5: Pizza Pan or Crisper Tray (The Pizza Game-Changer)
If you love reheating pizza or cooking personal-sized pizzas, this is essential.
Why You Need It:
- Non-stick surface with perforations for airflow
- Creates perfect crispy crust
- Also works for quesadillas, flatbreads, and mini tortillas
Best for: Pizza lovers and anyone who makes frequent flatbreads.
Pro Tip: This is the secret to restaurant-quality leftover pizza. See my Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners for the full pizza reheating method.
Accessory #6: Grill Pan Insert (The Char Mark Creator)
For those who want outdoor grill flavors indoors, this is one of the best air fryer accessories.
Why You Need It:
- Creates authentic grill marks on steaks, burgers, and vegetables
- Elevated ridges allow fat to drip away
- Non-stick surface for easy cleanup
The 2026 Upgrade: New grill pans have deeper ridges and better heat distribution.
Best for: Meat lovers and anyone following a low-fat diet.
Accessory #7: Cake Barrel or Baking Pan (The Baking Essential)
Yes, you can bake in an air fryer! This accessory unlocks dessert potential.
Why You Need It:
- Fits perfectly inside standard air fryer baskets
- Made from non-stick carbon steel or silicone
- Comes in round, square, and loaf shapes
Best for: Baking small cakes, brownies, cornbread, or banana bread.
The Result: Perfectly baked goods in 15-20 minutes instead of 45 minutes in a full oven.
Accessory #8: Tongs with Silicone Tips (The Safety Tool)
This isn’t technically an “air fryer-only” tool, but it’s critical for best air fryer accessories lists.
Why You Need It:
- Lets you flip or remove food without burning your hands
- Silicone tips won’t scratch your non-stick basket
- Long handles keep your hands away from the heat
Best for: Flipping chicken, removing hot items, and tossing vegetables mid-cook.
Accessory #9: Oil Mister/Sprayer (The Even-Coating Essential)
This is a “must-own” for anyone serious about air frying.
Why You Need It:
- Delivers a fine, even mist of oil (unlike aerosol sprays that damage baskets)
- Allows you to control exactly how much oil you use
- Works with any oil (olive, avocado, coconut)
The 2026 Upgrade: Glass bottles with stainless steel pumps that never clog.
Best for: Every single air fryer recipe.
Related Guide: See my Common Air Fryer Mistakes for why aerosol sprays are bad.
Accessory #10: Magnetic Cheat Sheet (The Reference Tool)
This is the most practical of all best air fryer accessories for beginners.
Why You Need It:
- Magnetic cooking time and temperature chart
- Sticks to your fridge or air fryer for instant reference
- Eliminates guesswork
Best for: New air fryer owners or anyone cooking frozen foods frequently.
Priority Guide: Which Accessories to Buy First
| Priority | Accessory | Price Range | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Must-Have | Parchment Paper Liners | $10-$15 | High (cleanup) |
| 2. Highly Recommended | Oil Mister | $12-$20 | Very High (texture) |
| 3. Recommended | Silicone Liner (reusable) | $10-$15 | High (eco-friendly) |
| 4. Nice to Have | Multi-Layer Rack | $15-$25 | Moderate (capacity) |
| 5. Specialty | Pizza Pan | $10-$18 | High (if you love pizza) |
Sarah’s Final Advice
The best air fryer accessories are the ones you’ll actually use. Start with the basics (parchment liners and an oil mister), then expand based on what you cook most often. If you bake, get the cake pan. If you grill, get the grill insert.
Ready to upgrade your air fryer? If you’re still using a basic model, check out my Best Air Fryers of 2026 guide to see which machines have the best accessory compatibility.
For more air fryer mastery, see my Air Fryer vs Toaster Oven comparison or my Do Air Fryers Use a Lot of Electricity cost analysis.
Shop Sarah’s Essential Air Fryer Accessories
1. Premium Perforated Parchment Liners (200-Pack)
These are the exact liners I use daily. Pre-cut, pre-perforated, and available in multiple sizes.
2. Reusable Silicone Air Fryer Liner (Set of 2)
For eco-conscious cooks, these last for years and are dishwasher-safe.
3. Stackable Multi-Layer Rack with Skewers
Doubles your cooking capacity and includes 5 stainless steel skewers for kebabs.
4. Premium Glass Oil Mister
The best investment you can make for even oil distribution and crispy results.
5. Complete Air Fryer Accessory Kit (8-Piece)
If you want everything at once, this kit includes cake pan, pizza pan, silicone cups, rack, and tongs.
