I am, in a word, obsessed with my air fryer. It's quick, convenient and I can make extra-crispy food for half the effort. I might be a classically trained chef, but I wasn't always so confident with this modern appliance.
After speaking to air fryer experts and other chefs, like Sam Milner (author of The Complete Air Fryer Cookbook) I realized that even the best air fryers need a helping hand in the kitchen to get the most out of them. Through trial and error, I've found some brilliant air fryer accessories. In fact, I'd never go back to using my air fryer without these essentials.
Here are the best air fryer accessories for using an air fryer, and where you can find them online.
Best air fryer accessories
The good news is that these essentials aren’t hard to get your hands on, keeping air fryers as hassle-free as possible.
1. Lecithin-free oil
Spray cooking oil has been around for a while now, offering a more convenient or 'low calorie' way of preparing pans and food for cooking. While these seem to go hand in hand with air fryer cooking, I discovered a little while back that these sprays contain an emulsifier called lecithin, which slowly destroys non-stick coatings and risks the release of toxins.
Your first port of call might be investing in one of the best non toxic air fryers, or you can mitigate against flaking and peeling by switching to a vegetable oil instead. A high-quality, organic olive oil is my personal choice, as it makes Mediterranean roasted vegetables or salmon fillets taste even more delicious.
2. Spray bottle
An oil spray bottle is one of the best accessories I've found for my air fryer. An oil misting bottle (originally made to spritz finishing oils over salads) means I can use any kind of bottled oil and still keep it convenient, without ruining my baskets. What’s more, the fine, controlled spray keeps your air fried food healthier, too.
3. Silicone tongs
We should all know by now that metal utensils on a non-stick surface are a no-go – especially if you want to make your air fryer last longer. While many of my air fryer-cooked foods can be poured out of the basket onto plates, I find that a pair of silicone tongs helps to move more delicate food, like air-fried chicken or salmon fillets, with no mess.
4. An air fryer cookbook
When I first purchased my air fryer, I was lost for recipe inspiration and constantly asking other chefs and friends, what can I actually cook in my air fryer? I thought I would use it occasionally for quickly cooking frozen fries, when I was feeling a little lazy.
When we spoke to air fryer chef, Sam Milner, she opened my eyes to just how versatile my machine really was. From sweet desserts to Sunday lunches, there's an endless range of meals you can prepare.
5. A temperature conversion chart
This is an essential that I only stumbled upon recently, but wouldn't want to be without. Air fryer conversion charts are the perfect little addition that makes cooking staple foods seamless.
The little stickers mean I no longer have to google or fight with my home's virtual assistant to find out what temperature I should cook something that would usually go in an oven and for how long.
I am not the only one who thinks these are the perfect air fryer addition either. 'The stick-on air fryer charts are the ideal addition for those who are wanting to get dinner on the table quickly,' said one of our expert appliance reviewers Millie Fender. 'I have tested countless air fryers, and they are both the simplest and most useful addition you could buy.'
6. A food thermometer
If you are a little weary of cooking raw meat in an air fryer and you're not sure how to check, a food thermometer is a perfect accessory. We also use them when we're testing the best air fryers, to see which machine is the quickest and most efficient at heating up food. Many digital thermometers also magnetic, meaning they can be stuck somewhere in your kitchen within easy reach.
7. Air fryer liners
The final air fryer accessory I wouldn’t be without is a basket liner. While some foods like fries are fine to be cooked on the air fryer tray, some recipes with sticky marinades or glazes can make a mess of the wire tray and basket.
I love silicone liners, which can be removed and rinsed under hot water. They're also dishwasher safe, non-toxic and naturally non-stick. An excellent, low-effort luxury that makes these quick cooking machines even quicker to operate.
You can also find them in a range of sizes, and in reusable options too, to fit any air fryer. Even if you have an extra large air fryer, like the Ninja Foodi DZ401 2-Basket Air Fryer for example, you can choose these two, oblong liners that are specifically designed for the baskets.
FAQs
Where to buy air fryer accessories?
Amazon and Walmart offer some of the best air fryer accessories I've tried. You can get silicone liners, tongs and baking molds for a wide range of brands and models, so you can find the right fit for your specific appliance. Whether you're looking to make perfectly crispy fries, bake a delicious cake, or grill vegetables, these accessories can help you get the most out of your air fryer.
What are the best Ninja air fryer accessories?
Ninja doesn't make air fryer accessories specifically for their appliances, but other brands make silicone liners to fit their trays. You can find a whole range of accessories on Amazon, and you could use any of the accessories in this list with your Ninja air fryer model.
