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Ah, the air fryer: If we had to choose one kitchen gadget to have on a deserted island, it just might be this one. That’s because the air fryer is a handy-dandy tool that allows you to make all sorts of crispy creations (we’re looking at you, Buffalo cauliflower wings!) without having to turn on your oven.
While the air fryer is pretty amazing on its own, there are also some seriously nifty accessories out there that can raise your cooking game even further. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of using an air fryer, how to choose the best air fryer accessories and get product recommendations from food experts.
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Related: 23 Best Air Fryer Recipes for 2022
What Is an Air Fryer, Exactly?
First things first, let’s explain what an air fryer is and how it works. “An air fryer is a small convection oven that circulates air around the appliance, causing food to get crispier and cook more quickly,” explains Samantha Lynn, owner of Everyday Family Cooking. There you have it!
The Benefits of Using an Air Fryer
There are plenty of reasons why you’d want an air fryer. For starters, “anyone who loves crispy food, quick and easy cooking and even someone who loves cooking frozen foods will love it,” says Lynn.
GiGi Ashworth, allergen-friendly chef, nutritionist and author, adds that if you want to achieve the taste and texture of fried food without the negative health effects, then an air fryer is an excellent kitchen tool to have on hand. That’s because it’s a healthier means of crisping up food since you don’t need oil to use to cook with it (although you certainly can!).
Other benefits? It cooks things twice as fast as an oven would, notes Thomas Seres, air fryer expert at Fryer Consumer. “It also consumes a lot less electricity, and the appliance itself is cheap compared to ovens.”
Plus, you can cook almost anything in an air fryer. “The best foods, in my opinion, to cook in the air fryer are chicken wings and salmon, but anything can be cooked in an air fryer, even cake and donuts,” says Ashworth.
Related: 33 Healthy Air Fryer Recipes To Make Tonight
How to Choose the Best Air Fryer Accessories
Not sure where to start when it comes to air fryer accessories? We’ve got you covered. Here are answers to your most commonly asked questions so you can find the best air fryer accessories.
What accessories go with an air fryer?
There’s pretty much an endless array of accessories that go with an air fryer. According to Ashworth, some of the most popular options include insert racks, silicone inserts, rotisserie forks, roasting lifters, silicone oven mitts, tongs, skewer racks, basting brushes and molded pan inserts.
Other popular air fryer accessories include parchment paper liners, silicone baskets, cake pans, silicone muffin pans, wire racks and oil misters, adds Lynn. Just keep in mind that air fryers vary in shape and size, so you’ll always want to check if an accessory is compatible with your air fryer before you buy it.
Related: 17 Ninja Foodi Accessories You Need in Your Kitchen
Which utensils are best for an air fryer?
“I always recommend using silicone and/or plastic utensils such as spatulas and tongs for the air fryer,” says Lynn. “An air fryer is non-stick, and scratching the non-stick surface can cause it to peel and ruin the basket.”
What should you not put in an air fryer?
Just as important as knowing what you can put in an air fryer is understanding what doesn’t belong inside the device. “Do not put anything that is not oven-safe in the air fryer,” advises Lynn. “This includes wax paper, plastic containers and more.”
There are also certain foods that are best left out of the air fryer. “Don’t cook anything wet in an air fryer like battered chicken,” says Deborah Rainford, a UK-based Cordon Bleu-trained chef who runs Savvy Bites. “The coating will never crisp up and you’ll end up with a gooey mess.”
Rainford adds that pasta and grains like rice are also a no-go. “An air fryer is meant to dry cook food, so trying to cook something that needs to be immersed in water won’t work,” she says.
Related: 55+ Best Ninja Air Fryer Recipes
Can I use aluminum foil in the air fryer?
Yes, you can use aluminum foil in an air fryer, says Rainford. “It can make a quick and easy job out of cleaning up after cooking something with a sticky glaze or with a breadcrumb coating,” she explains. “Just be sure to read your instruction manual to make sure you’ve not missed any warnings.”
Lynn adds that aluminum foil can help catch roast drippings, help you easily pull out foods such as nachos and can be used to cover chicken or corn on the cob.
17 Best Accessories for an Air Fryer, According to Food Experts
Ready to go shopping? Here are the best air fryer accessories, including picks for the best Ninja Air Fryer accessories.
1. Round Silicone Liners, $18.99 on Amazon
Amazon
Ashworth recommends silicone inserts because they make for very easy cleanup. These round silicone inserts are sturdy and heat-resistant. They can help prevent food from sticking to your air fryer and burning. You get four in a set, and the bright colors are sure to make you smile while you cook. Round Silicone Liners, $18.99 on Amazon
2. Oil Sprayer for Cooking, $16.99 on Amazon
Amazon
Spritz your way to crispy, crunchy success with this oily sprayer. Load it up with your favorite cooking oil (such as olive or avocado) and use it on meat, veggies and more. With each spray, you get ¼ of a teaspoon of oil evenly coating your food. Oil Sprayer for Cooking, $16.99 on Amazon
3. Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs with Silicone Tips, $10.99 on Amazon
Amazon
Lynn’s a fan of these tongs for use with an air fryer. They’re made with high-quality stainless steel that won’t rust and have silicone tips that won’t scratch your air fryer. The handle is also padded with silicone for comfort and added control. Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs with Silicone Tips, $10.99 on Amazon
4. Air Fryer Accessories Set, $30.99 on Amazon
Amazon
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Expand your air fryer horizons with this accessory set that comes with a whopping 17 items. You’ll have fun using the egg bites mold, muffin cups, pizza pan, cake barrel and more. The cooking possibilities are endless! Air Fryer Accessories Set, $30.99 on Amazon
5. Dual Air Fryer Silicone Liners, $18.99 on Amazon
Amazon
If you’re looking for the best Ninja Air Fryer accessories, we’ve got something you’ll love. Seres likes these silicone pots (which are compatible with the Ninja Dual Air Fryer). They help you clean less when you cook, make it easier to remove food from the hot air fryer and are more environmentally friendly than single-use parchment paper. Dual Air Fryer Silicone Liners, $18.99 on Amazon
6. Round Rack, $10.50 on Amazon
Amazon
This round rack can be used in a variety of ways. It fits inside air fryers, stockpots, pressure cookers and round cake pans and can help you bake cookies, cool cakes, roast chicken and more. It’s dishwasher safe to boot, so cleanup is easy-peasy. Round Rack, $10.50 on Amazon
7. Silicone Oven Mitts, $6.99 on Amazon
Amazon
Steer clear of burns when taking food out of your air fryer with these mini silicone oven mitts. They offer good heat resistance to help protect your hands and have anti-skid strips so you can securely handle food. Plus, how fun are the bright blue and green colors? Silicone Oven Mitts, $6.99 on Amazon
8. Cuisinart Pizza Pan Set, $8.99 on Amazon
Amazon
Yes, you can make pizza in the air fryer. This set of pizza pans make the process so much easier. Made from heavy-gauge stainless steel, these 7-inch pans have thick rolled edges that won’t warp and a non-stick interior so you can easily slide your pizza out and not have to worry about a mess. Cuisinart Pizza Pan Set, $8.99 on Amazon
9. Silicone Spatula Set, $10.19 on Amazon
Amazon
Flip, stir and slide food out from the air fryer with ease by using a silicone spatula. This set comes with five BPA-free spatulas that won’t scratch your air fryer. They’re durable, heat resistant and have a soft handle for a great grip. Silicone Spatula Set, $10.99 on Amazon
10. Air Fryer Grill Pan, $17.99 on Amazon
Amazon
This air fryer grill pan fits a wide range of air fryer models. It has perforated holes, which allow air to circulate and heat to distribute evenly so your food doesn’t burn. The edges of the tray cure upward, so food won’t slip off the grill grate (genius!). It also includes a silicone brush that you can use to gently clean the grill pan without scratching it. Air Fryer Grill Pan, $17.99 on Amazon
11. Silicone Muffin Cake Cups, $9.49 on Amazon
Amazon
You can use this silicone muffin mold to make savory and sweet treats in your air fryer. Whether you’re in the mood for egg bites or cupcakes, this heat-resistant silicone mold allows you to create up to seven muffin-shaped delights in one go. Silicone Muffin Cake Cups, $9.49 on Amazon
12. Universal Air Fryer Accessory Set, $17.99 on Amazon
Did you know you could bake a cake in an air fryer? It’s true! This air fryer accessory set comes with a cake barrel (and a pizza pan!) made from durable steel with a non-stick coating. Use the cake barrel to make cakes, breads and casseroles, while the pizza pan is great for pizzas (of course!), omelets and quesadillas. Universal Air Fryer Accessory Set, $17.99 on Amazon
13. Digital Meat Thermometer, $11.89 on Amazon
Amazon
Take the guesswork out of cooking meat in the air fryer with this instant-read thermometer. It reads temperatures in as little as three seconds and has a large display so you don’t have to wonder whether that piece of steak or chicken is fully cooked. Digital Meat Thermometer, $11.89 on Amazon
14. Silicone Basting Pastry Brush, $7.99 on Amazon
Amazon
Apply oil, butter, marinades and sauces to any food your heart desires with these silicone basting pastry brushes. Each brush (you get four!) holds plenty of liquid and helps spread liquid easily so you can get an even coating on meats, veggies, cakes and more. Silicone Basting Pastry Brush, $7.99 on Amazon
15. Stainless Steel Turkey and Roast Lifters, $18.95 on Amazon
Amazon
Get chicken, turkey and other large cuts of meat out of your air fryer by using these roast lifters. They’re made of durable stainless steel and have long handles and sharp prongs so you can easily remove meat from your air fryer. Bonus: They also double as carving forks! Stainless Steel Turkey and Roast Lifters, $18.95 on Amazon
16. Air Fryer Parchment Paper, $8.99 on Amazon
Amazon
These food-grade parchment liners are eco-friendly and nontoxic. They’re pre-cut for easy fit and come in sizes ranging from 5- to 10-inch. They also have perforated holes for increased airflow. Just note that when using parchment paper in an air fryer, you should never preheat the air fryer without any food in it because this can cause your air fryer to catch fire, says Seres. Air Fryer Parchment Paper, $8.99 on Amazon
17. Air Fryer Rack Set, $14.39 on Amazon
Amazon
Make chicken kabobs or veggie skewers in the air fryer with this rack set that contains five skewers on the top rack. You’ll be impressed by the restaurant-quality results when you use these high-quality stainless steel racks. Air Fryer Rack Set, $14.39 on Amazon
Related: 12 Best Air Fryers of 2022
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