That moment when your air fryer basket is full, your chips are stuck to the base, and you realise one appliance probably needs a few add-ons to work harder - that is where the best air fryer accessories earn their keep. The right extras do not just make cooking easier. They help with cleaner results, less mess, better capacity and more ways to use the appliance you already own.
For most households, the best buy is not the fanciest accessory set with ten pieces you may never touch. It is a small group of practical items that suit how you actually cook - weeknight dinners, reheating leftovers, quick snacks or batch cooking for the family. If you are shopping to get more value from your air fryer, these are the accessories worth a closer look.
What makes the best air fryer accessories worth buying
A useful accessory should solve a real problem. That might mean stopping food from sticking, helping you cook more evenly, or giving you a way to prepare foods that do not sit neatly in a standard basket. If it only adds clutter to the cupboard, it is probably not worth the spend.
Fit matters just as much as function. Air fryers vary in basket shape, internal height and overall capacity, so the best air fryer accessories are the ones that suit your specific model. A round cake pan may be ideal for one machine and awkward in another. It is always worth checking measurements before you buy, especially if you are trying to maximise space without blocking airflow.
Material also makes a difference. Silicone is popular because it is flexible and easy to clean, while metal pans and racks can be better for structure and browning. Neither is automatically better. It depends on what you cook most often and how much convenience matters compared with crispness.
1. Silicone liners for easier clean-up
If there is one accessory that suits almost every air fryer owner, it is a reusable silicone liner. This is the practical choice for anyone tired of scrubbing baked-on crumbs and greasy residue from the basket after dinner.
A good liner catches drips and crumbs while still allowing hot air to circulate around the food. That said, there is a trade-off. Some liners can slightly reduce crispness on the underside, especially with foods that release moisture. For chips, nuggets and frozen snacks, many shoppers are happy to accept that small compromise in exchange for faster clean-up.
For everyday use, this is one of the strongest value buys because it saves time, protects the basket and can be reused over and over again.
2. Rack inserts to cook in layers
A rack insert is one of the best accessories to consider if basket space is your main issue. It lets you create a second level inside the air fryer, which can be useful when cooking for more than one person or when separating different foods.
This works best for items that do not need a lot of turning, such as wings, vegetables or small fillets. The main thing to watch is overcrowding. Air fryers rely on hot air circulation, so packing in too much food across two levels can slow cooking and affect crisping. Used properly, though, a rack gives you more flexibility without upgrading to a larger appliance.
3. Baking pans for slices, brownies and pasta bakes
Many people buy an air fryer for chips and chicken, then realise it can handle much more with the right pan. A compact baking pan opens up options like brownies, baked oats, mini lasagnes, frittatas and small pasta bakes.
This is especially handy if you are cooking for one or two people and do not want to heat the full oven. A pan with solid sides helps contain wet batters and saucy dishes that would otherwise be impossible in a standard basket. Just make sure the pan leaves enough room around the edges for airflow. Too tight a fit can affect cooking performance.
4. Skewer racks for kebabs and grilled snacks
If you like quick high-heat cooking, a skewer rack can be a smart addition. It gives you a tidy way to cook kebabs, satay-style skewers, vegetables and smaller grilled pieces without everything rolling around the basket.
It is not an essential for every kitchen, but it is useful if you want more control over presentation and spacing. This kind of accessory tends to suit people who use their air fryer several times a week and want more variety, not just reheating and frozen food.
5. Cake tins for simple desserts
A cake tin sized for an air fryer is one of those accessories that seems optional until you use it. Then it quickly becomes part of regular rotation. It is ideal for banana bread, tea cakes, muffins and smaller desserts when a full oven feels like overkill.
The key benefit is convenience. You can put together a quick dessert or morning tea bake without using much power or waiting for a large oven to preheat. Results can vary depending on your air fryer’s heat pattern, so some trial and error is normal. Once you know your timings, though, it is an easy way to get more use from the appliance.
6. Oil sprayers for better browning
An oil sprayer is not always sold as an air fryer accessory, but it is one of the most useful tools to pair with the appliance. A light mist of oil can improve browning on vegetables, crumbed foods and homemade chips without overdoing it.
This is a better option than pouring oil directly over food, which often leads to uneven coverage. It also helps with portion control and keeps flavours cleaner. The main thing is to use the right kind of sprayer and clean it properly so it keeps working well over time.
7. Tongs and heat-safe utensils
Not every useful accessory goes inside the air fryer. A solid pair of tongs and a heat-safe spatula make a real difference when turning food, lifting out racks or removing hot pans. These tools help you avoid scratching non-stick surfaces and make it easier to handle food safely.
If you have ever tried to lift a hot baking dish out with a dinner fork, you already know why this matters. Sometimes the simplest accessories deliver the most everyday value.
8. Paper liners for quick single-use convenience
Paper liners are popular because they make clean-up fast and easy, especially after messy foods like marinated wings or crumbed fish. For some households, particularly busy families, the convenience is hard to beat.
They do have limits. Single-use liners create more waste than silicone alternatives, and they can move around if not weighed down properly by food. They also may not suit every cooking style. If you want the easiest possible clean-up for occasional use, they can still be a practical option.
9. Grill plates for better searing marks
For shoppers who want their air fryer to handle more than basic roasting, a grill plate can add a bit more texture and visual appeal. It is useful for foods like steak strips, vegetables and burger patties where a raised cooking surface helps separate food from excess fat.
You should not expect barbecue-level char, but a grill plate can improve browning and reduce sogginess underneath. It is most worthwhile if your air fryer already gets heavy use and you are looking to expand what it can do.
10. Multi-piece accessory sets for value shoppers
Accessory sets can be a smart buy if you are starting from scratch and want to cover several cooking styles in one order. A set may include a rack, liner, baking pan, skewers and a small cake tin, which can work out better value than buying each piece separately.
The catch is that not every item in a bundle will get regular use. Before buying a large set, think about whether you actually bake, grill or cook in layers often enough to justify it. For some households, choosing three strong essentials will be the better deal.
How to choose the best air fryer accessories for your kitchen
The best place to start is with your cooking habits. If your air fryer is mainly for frozen snacks and quick dinners, liners, tongs and a rack will probably cover most of what you need. If you use it for baking, meal prep or reheating leftovers, pans and tins become more useful.
It also helps to think about household size. A couple may get plenty of use from a small baking pan and silicone liner, while a larger family might care more about stackable racks and accessories that increase capacity. There is no single best setup for every kitchen.
Price matters too. Buying accessories should make your appliance more useful, not turn into an expensive side project. Focus on items that save time, reduce mess or add cooking options you know you will use. That is usually where the best value sits.
Best air fryer accessories to buy first
If you want a simple shortlist, start with a reusable silicone liner, a rack insert, a baking pan and a pair of heat-safe tongs. That combination covers cleaning, capacity, versatility and safe handling without overcomplicating things.
From there, add extras based on what you cook most. Dessert lovers may want a cake tin. Grill fans may prefer skewers or a grill plate. If convenience is the priority, paper liners and an oil sprayer can make everyday cooking easier.
For Australian households looking for practical kitchen upgrades, the smartest approach is to buy accessories that match real routines, not ideal ones. A few well-chosen pieces can make your air fryer easier to use, easier to clean and far more versatile - and that is usually the better deal than replacing the appliance itself.