As the air fryer continues to grow in popularity, it's no surprise that many want to ensure they are using it to its full potential.
On Reddit, there is an entire air fryer community that boasts more than 200,000 followers. Members share recipe ideas and tips and tricks for how to best utilize their air fryers. Among the numerous posts, users also ask for suggestions about which air fryer accessories are worth investing in.
I took the guesswork out of and tested a slew of accessories so you don't have to. If you want to elevate your air frying experience, these seven items are a great place to start.
Tongs
If I could only recommend 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 the majority of the baskets have.
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 that sit perfectly on the top rack are ideal for cooking both vegetable and meat kebabs.
Read more: Best air fryers of 2024
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. 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 and reheating food. You can choose between six-, seven- or eight-inch pans.
Hot plate gripper
Although I was initially skeptical about this tool, I am now thoroughly impressed with its capabilities. 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.
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. And 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.)
Read more: A Complete Guide to Air Fryers: Everyone's New Favorite Kitchen Appliance
Meat thermometer
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.
A meat thermometer is a great and useful addition to your kitchen gadgets.
JasonDoiy/Getty ImagesChicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F while beef and pork should reach at least 145°F.
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.