Air Fryer Accessories Actually Worth Buying
The air fryer accessories that genuinely earn their keep are: a rack for cooking two things at once, a skewer or rotisserie stand for whole chickens, and heat-safe bakeware (silicone or small metal pans) for cake, eggs, or anything runny. The accessories you can usually skip are single-purpose tools you probably already have an equivalent of somewhere in your kitchen.
The quick answer
Only three accessories are genuinely worth it: a rack that doubles your cooking space, a skewer for whole chickens, and small silicone or metal bakeware for cake and eggs. Anything else, like a “dedicated” set of tongs or an oil brush, you likely already own an equivalent for.
Key takeaways
- A rack doubles the cooking space you get at once without needing a bigger air fryer (air fryer definition from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension).
- A skewer or rotisserie stand spreads heat evenly around a whole chicken, preventing one side from cooking while the other stays raw.
- Silicone bakeware handles air fryer heat well thanks to silicone’s resistance to high temperatures (background on silicone from Britannica), and works for cake, eggs, or anything runny.
- A ready-made accessory kit is handy if you use your air fryer a lot, but check that its pieces actually fit your basket before buying.
- Not every accessory labeled “for air fryers” is worth buying, regular kitchen tools you already own do the same job in many cases.
The accessories that genuinely help
A rack (the second level)
A metal rack that sits above the basket or drawer gives you a second cooking level, so you can crisp vegetables on one level and chicken on another at the same time. That is a real time saver if you cook for a family or make more than one dish at once.
A skewer or rotisserie stand
If you are cooking a whole chicken or a rolled roast, a skewer or stand holds it steady in the circulating hot air, so heat reaches every side evenly instead of you having to flip the food by hand every few minutes.
Small silicone or metal bakeware
If you want to make cake, eggs, or anything runny inside an air fryer, you need a heat-safe container sized to fit the basket. Heat-resistant silicone or small metal pans work well for this.
The accessories you can probably skip
- A “dedicated” pair of air fryer tongs: any long kitchen tongs you already own do the same job.
- A dedicated oil brush or sprayer: any brush or oil sprayer already in your kitchen is fine.
- Overpriced “special” parchment paper: regular heat-resistant parchment paper works, and we cover the details in air fryer paper liners, safe or not.
Is a ready-made accessory kit worth it?
If you would rather not buy each piece separately, ready-made air fryer accessory kits bundle a rack, skewer, and small bakeware into one set. That kind of kit is convenient if you use your air fryer a lot and want to save time shopping and comparing prices, but it is not a substitute for a genuinely good air fryer, and before buying you should confirm the pieces actually fit your basket, or contact the seller to check.
Which accessory earns its price?
| Accessory | Worth it? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rack | Worth it | Doubles your cooking space at once |
| Skewer or rotisserie stand | Worth it if you cook whole chickens | Spreads heat evenly around the whole bird |
| Small silicone or metal bakeware | Worth it if you make cake or eggs | Heat-resistant and sized for the basket |
| ”Dedicated” silicone tongs | Skippable | Any regular kitchen tongs do the same job |
| Ready-made accessory kit | Worth it if you use it a lot | Bundles the basics, but confirm the fit first |
Still choosing the air fryer itself?
If you have not bought an air fryer yet, prioritize the unit itself before accessories. A practical example from our shortlist: the Philips Essential XL HD9270 at 6.2L and 2000W gives enough room to use a rack or small bakeware inside the basket without feeling cramped, backed by Philips’s reach and warranty in Egypt, which is why it tops our guide to the best air fryer in Egypt.
Bottom line
Not every accessory sold alongside an air fryer is worth buying. What genuinely earns its keep is a rack, a skewer, and small silicone or metal bakeware, while most other “dedicated” tools have an equivalent already in your kitchen. To learn how to use paper liners safely, read air fryer paper liners, safe or not, and if you want to know the air fryer’s downsides before you buy, see air fryer disadvantages, or head back to our guide on how to choose an air fryer or browse our air fryers section.
Sources
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, “How air fryers work”, definition of the air fryer and how it works: https://food.unl.edu/free-resources/newsletters/food-safety-tips-electric-air-fryers/
- Britannica, “Silicone”, background on silicone and its resistance to high heat: https://www.britannica.com/science/silicone
📊 This analysis is based on buyer reviews from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension (How air fryers work), Britannica (Silicone).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy accessories with my air fryer?
No, an air fryer works fine with no extra accessories. Things like a rack or skewer expand what you can cook, but they are not a requirement.
Does a rack actually make a difference?
Yes, it doubles your cooking space at once without needing a bigger air fryer, which helps a lot if you are cooking more than one dish together.
Can I use regular oven bakeware inside an air fryer?
If the container is heat-resistant and sized to fit the basket without touching the heating element, it will usually work fine. Check the size before using it.
Is a ready-made accessory kit worth the price?
It is worth it if you use your air fryer often and want to save time shopping, but confirm first that the pieces actually fit your basket.
This guide contains affiliate links: we may earn a commission when you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our picks are based on research, not payment. How we choose · Full disclosure.