Top 10 Essential Air Fryer Accessories in 2026

Why invest in air fryer accessories?

Your air fryer is powerful on its own, but the right accessories unlock its full potential. From perforated liners that slash cleaning time to silicone moulds that open up new recipes, each well-chosen accessory improves your daily experience. We selected the 10 most useful ones based on manufacturer specifications, independent reviews and verified buyer feedback.

A complete setup remains a modest investment compared with the appliance itself, and it noticeably changes how you use your air fryer.

1. Perforated disposable liners (usefulness: 10/10)

Perforated air fryer liners are the single most useful accessory. They line the basket base, prevent food from sticking, and cut cleaning time considerably. The perforations allow hot air to circulate normally, unlike regular parchment paper which blocks airflow.

• Sizes available: round (16, 20, 23 cm) and square (19x19, 21x21 cm)
• Tip: measure your basket base before buying. Never use liners without food on top, as they could fly up and touch the heating element.

2. Stackable racks (usefulness: 9/10)

Stackable racks double your effective cooking surface. Layer vegetables on the bottom and fish on top simultaneously. For families who find their basket a bit small, this is the solution before upgrading to a larger model.

• Recommended material: 304 stainless steel with 3-4 cm legs
• Tip: place foods needing more heat at the bottom, closer to the element

3. Reusable silicone moulds (usefulness: 9/10)

Silicone liners replace disposable papers for daily use. They protect your basket's non-stick coating, are dishwasher-safe, and last for years. The investment pays for itself within weeks compared to disposable liners.

• Max temperature: up to 230°C for quality food-grade silicone
• Buying tip: choose BPA-free certified silicone with side handles for easy removal

4. Refillable oil sprayer (usefulness: 8/10)

A quality oil sprayer applies a thin, even coat of oil for crispy results with minimal fat. Skip commercial aerosol cans with propellants and additives. A refillable glass or stainless steel sprayer is far superior. A few sprays replace the one or two tablespoons people often pour, so the oil saved adds up over a year of regular use.

• Recommended oils: olive oil, avocado oil, rapeseed oil (high smoke points)

5. Instant-read probe thermometer (usefulness: 8/10)

Essential for verifying internal temperatures without cutting meat open. Chicken must reach 74°C internally, pork 71°C, rare beef 52°C. Also the best way to avoid overcooking — the number one enemy of juicy chicken.

• Reading speed: look for 2-3 second readings
• Accuracy: plus or minus 0.5°C for good models

6. Long silicone tongs (usefulness: 7/10)

Long tongs (25-30 cm) with silicone tips let you turn, shake, and remove food from the hot basket without burning yourself or scratching the non-stick coating. Standard metal tongs risk damaging the basket surface.

• Recommended length: 28-30 cm

7. Perforated grill plate (usefulness: 7/10)

The grill plate turns your air fryer into a mini indoor barbecue. Ridges let grease drain while creating perfect grill marks on steaks, vegetables, and fish.

• Ideal for: burgers, chicken cutlets, aubergine slices, salmon fillets

8. Basket dividers (usefulness: 6/10)

Dividers split a single basket into 2, 3, or 4 compartments for cooking different foods simultaneously without flavour mixing. An affordable alternative to a dual-basket model.

• Limitation: cannot set different temperatures per zone, unlike true dual baskets

9. Stainless steel skewers (usefulness: 6/10)

Short stainless steel skewers (15-18 cm) designed specifically for air fryers. Reusable, dishwasher-safe, and they won't char like wooden skewers.

• Popular recipes: marinated chicken skewers, prawn skewers, vegetable kebabs

10. Cleaning brush kit (usefulness: 7/10)

A good kit includes a soft brush for the basket, a small angled brush for the heating element, and a non-abrasive sponge. Regular cleaning is the key to longevity. See our complete maintenance guide for best practices.

• Never use: steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or dishwasher for non-compatible parts

Summary table

Our recommended budget starter kit: liners, silicone mould, oil sprayer, tongs, and cleaning brushes. This covers most daily needs. To avoid the most common beginner mistakes, check our dedicated guide. Find all our advice in the complete air fryer guide and the air fryer vs oven comparison.

Which Accessories to Prioritise by Use Case?

5 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Accessories

• Never use metal utensils on non-stick surfaces — they scratch the coating. Use silicone or wood.
• Let it cool before cleaning: thermal shock damages non-stick coatings. Wait 10 minutes after cooking ends.
• Avoid abrasive sponges even for stubborn stains. An overnight soak in hot soapy water resolves the vast majority of cases.
• Check dishwasher compatibility for each accessory. Metal racks are generally safe; some special coatings last longer with hand washing.
• Replace liners when they brown: a degraded liner can release compounds at high temperatures. Expect 20-30 uses per reusable liner.