It doesn't matter whether you're rustling up an appetizer or cooking a full meal, the humble air fryer can do the job. It's true that sometimes the air fryer can be a victim of its own versatility, and sometimes it's relegated to cooking quick and easy meals. But if you pair it with a useful accessory, you might be surprised at just how capable that unsuspecting air fryer is. In fact, get things just right, and the cooking possibilities are basically endless.
There's an entire air fryer community on Reddit where members share recipe ideas as well as their favorite tips and tricks for using their air fryers to their full potential. Among the numerous posts, users also ask for suggestions about which air fryer accessories are worth investing in.
I took the guesswork out and tested many accessories, so you don't have to. These seven items are a great place to start if you want to elevate your air frying experience.
Amazon Tongs 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. $9 at Amazon
Amazon Metal rack with skewers 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. $14 at Amazon
Amazon Baking pans 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. $17 at Amazon
Read more: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Air Fryers (but Were Afraid to Ask)
Amazon Hot plate gripper 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. $13 at Amazon
Muffin holders 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.) $8 at Amazon
Amazon Meat theromometer 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. $15 at Amazon
Amazon Silicone basket liners 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. $10 at Amazon
Air fryer recipes to try