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Accessory bundles promise to turn an air fryer into a kitchen toolkit, but a drawer full of ill-fitting inserts is easy to accumulate. Start with the size and shape of your actual basket or oven. Then buy only the piece that makes a dish easier to cook, lift, or clean.
Quick verdict
For most owners, silicone-tipped tongs and a food-safe rack or heat-safe pan matched to the specific cooker are more useful than a large bundle. Perforated parchment can reduce cleanup for messy foods, but it must be weighed down by food and used only as the manufacturer’s directions permit.
Who this is for—and when to skip it
Buy it for: A recurring cooking task the supplied basket does not handle conveniently, after checking accessory fit and the cooker’s instructions.
Skip it when: You are still learning a new fryer or already own suitable tongs and cookware. A large bundle is poor value if most pieces will stay in the drawer.
How this guide was made: a comparison of accessory functions, fit, and cleaning trade-offs, without hands-on testing claims. Compatibility is model-specific; consult your cooker’s manual. Ninja owners can find model guides in the official Ninja manual library.
Which type fits your home?
| Type | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone-tipped tongs | Turning and lifting food | Choose heat rating and grip carefully |
| Perforated parchment | Messy foods and easier cleanup | Can restrict airflow or blow toward the heater |
| Silicone liner | Sticky recipes | Adds a surface that needs washing |
| Cooking rack | Keeping food above drippings | May reduce headroom and need more attention |
Fit before features
Interior width and depth matter more than the air fryer’s advertised capacity. Measure the basket at its narrowest usable point and leave room to remove the accessory without touching hot walls. In oven-style cookers, check rack height and the space below the heating element. Accessories advertised as universal often fit only some shapes.
Keep air moving
A solid liner can catch drippings but also change how air reaches the underside of food. Perforated parchment and raised racks preserve more airflow, though neither fixes an overloaded basket. Never preheat loose parchment without food on top; moving air can lift it toward a heating element.
Materials and temperature ratings
Choose food-contact materials whose stated temperature limit exceeds the cooking temperatures you use. Avoid coatings that scratch easily against a metal basket. Handles and tabs must remain reachable with oven mitts; an accessory that cannot be removed safely is not a good fit.
Cleanup and real use
A pan that saves the original basket but adds a second greasy dish may not save time. Prioritize an accessory you can easily wash, dry, and store. If you mostly cook frozen snacks, the included basket and a pair of tongs may already be enough.
Best value
A sturdy pair of silicone-tipped tongs is the best first purchase because it works across many recipes and does not block airflow.
When the upgrade earns its price
A properly sized rack or pan makes sense when you repeatedly cook a recipe that benefits from elevation or needs containment.
Buying mistakes to avoid
- Buying a bundle before measuring the actual basket.
- Preheating unsecured parchment near a fan and heater.
- Using an accessory that blocks airflow or sits too close to the element.
Common questions
Are silicone liners always better than parchment?
No. Silicone is reusable but needs cleaning and can change airflow. Parchment is disposable but must be properly fitted and weighted down.
Do I need accessories for a new air fryer?
Try the included basket first; cooking habits reveal which accessory, if any, solves a real problem.
Final pick
Use the included basket for a few weeks before buying extras. When a specific recipe reveals a problem, choose one well-fitting accessory that fixes it safely.
Keep comparing with our basket versus oven air fryer comparison, air fryer size guide.