Buy an air fryer and you’ll soon see accessory kits advertised alongside it, sometimes with a dozen pieces. A few of these genuinely make cooking and cleaning easier. Many end up unused in a drawer. Here’s our take on which generic accessory types earn their place in an Indian kitchen, which to skip, and what to check before buying anything.
First, measure your basket
Before buying anything, measure the inside floor of your basket (width and depth, or diameter for a round one) and the height up to the heating element guard. Accessories are sold by size, and a liner or tin that’s even slightly too big won’t sit flat. Leave a gap around the edges so hot air can circulate; that airflow is what makes food crisp.
Accessories worth buying
1. Perforated parchment liners
Disposable paper liners with holes punched through them. They catch drips and stop marinade, cheese and masala from baking onto the basket, while the holes let air through.
- Good for: paneer tikka, marinated chicken, fish, pizza slices, cookies.
- Use them safely: always put food on top to hold the paper down, and never preheat an empty basket with a liner inside. Loose paper can lift into the heating element.
- Choose a size slightly smaller than the basket floor.
2. Reusable silicone pot or liner
A flexible food-grade silicone bowl or mat that sits in the basket. Easy to lift out and wash.
- Good for: saucy or sticky food, small batches of vegetables with masala, reheating, keeping the basket clean.
- Trade-off: solid silicone blocks air from below, so food crisps less than it would directly on the crisper plate. Choose versions with holes or raised ridges if crispness matters.
- Check the temperature rating is above your air fryer’s maximum, and replace liners that turn sticky, crack or smell when heated.
3. Refillable oil mister
A pump or trigger spray bottle you fill with your own oil. It gives a thin, even coat, so you use less oil than pouring and avoid aerosol cans.
- Works with most common cooking oils, such as groundnut, sunflower or mustard oil. Very thick oils can clog some nozzles.
- Wash it regularly so old oil doesn’t turn rancid inside.
4. Instant-read food thermometer
A probe thermometer is one of the most useful kitchen tools for anyone cooking meat or fish. A golden outside doesn’t guarantee a cooked inside.
- Chicken should reach 74°C at the thickest part.
- Also helpful for checking reheated leftovers are hot right through.
- See our guide to air fryer mistakes for more on cooking meat evenly.
5. Silicone-tipped tongs
For turning tikkas, cutlets and fish without scratching the non-stick coating. Metal tongs and forks can scratch it, and the coating wears faster once damaged.
Accessories that are useful for some people
| Accessory | Who it suits | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Small cake tin or silicone mould | Anyone who wants to bake | Fits with a gap around the sides; oven-safe |
| Silicone muffin cups | Muffins, cupcakes, egg bites | Food-grade; temperature rating |
| Metal rack | Cooking two layers, such as kebabs above vegetables | Height clears the heating element |
| Skewers | Paneer or chicken tikka | Short enough to fit; metal or soaked bamboo |
| Heat-resistant mat or trivet | Protecting the counter when the basket comes out | Size of your basket |
If baking interests you, our air fryer baking guide explains how to choose and use a tin.
Accessories to skip
- Large all-in-one kits. They often include pieces sized for a different basket, a pizza pan you’ll use once, and items that duplicate each other. Buy individually instead.
- Aerosol cooking sprays. Some contain propellants and additives that can leave a sticky build-up on non-stick coatings. A refillable mister is cheaper over time.
- Solid liners or foil covering the whole basket floor. They block the airflow from below, leaving food pale and soggy underneath.
- Non-perforated paper cut to the full basket size. Same problem, and a bigger risk of it lifting into the element.
- Plastic tools and containers not rated for high heat. They can warp or melt.
- Anything without a clear temperature rating. If the pack doesn’t say what heat it can take, don’t put it in your air fryer.
Cleaning and care
Good accessories can reduce cleaning, but they don’t replace it. Wash the basket and crisper plate after use with warm soapy water and a soft sponge; our guide on how to clean an air fryer basket covers stubborn grease. Wash silicone pieces after every use, as oil residue can build up and turn sticky. Dry everything properly before storing, especially during the humid monsoon months.
Bottom line
Start with the basics: perforated parchment liners, a refillable oil mister, an instant-read thermometer and silicone-tipped tongs. Add a silicone pot, cake tin or rack only if the way you cook calls for it. Always measure your basket first, check temperature ratings, and avoid anything that blocks airflow across the whole basket floor. A few well-chosen pieces beat a drawer full of kit you never use.
Frequently asked questions
Are silicone liners safe in an air fryer?
Food-grade silicone liners are generally safe if they are rated above the highest temperature you cook at. Check the rating on the pack, and replace liners that become sticky, cracked or smell when heated.
Can I use parchment paper in an air fryer?
Yes, preferably perforated parchment cut to leave space at the edges. Always put food on top to weigh it down and never preheat the empty basket with paper inside, as it can lift into the heating element.
Do I need an air fryer accessory kit?
Usually not. Big kits often include items that don't fit your basket or that you'll never use. Buying two or three useful pieces that match your basket size is better value.
Can I use an aerosol cooking spray in an air fryer?
It's best avoided. Some aerosol sprays contain propellants and additives that can build up on non-stick coatings over time. A refillable oil mister or a pastry brush does the same job.
