Buying guide for Best air fryer accessory sets
The air fryer is a popular countertop appliance that has quickly become a staple in many kitchens. It’s a versatile device that comes in a variety of sizes so you can enjoy efficient, oil-free frying. In addition to creating scrumptious yet healthy “fried” foods, many air fryers can roast, reheat, and dehydrate foods. In fact, the recipe options are seemingly endless.
A set of handy accessories can help you make the most out of your air fryer. There are a variety of compatible options that can make your cooking experience easier, more versatile, and more effective. Accessories are particularly useful for anyone who has a smaller kitchen or less time to cook. But even if you have a large kitchen with a variety of appliances, there are still a handful of air fryer accessories worth the investment.
Key considerations
Accessory options
There are a wide range of accessory options, but most basic sets include the following versatile items.
Parchment liner: Parchment liner can help you keep the interior of your air fryer clean by preventing smaller pieces of food and spices from falling beneath the grill. Holes in the liner still allow air to circulate, but cleanup is easier because stray morsels do not fall through the cracks
Baking pan: With a pan insert, you can bake and roast a number of sweet and savory dishes in your air fryer, from macaroni and cheese to bread and cake. These pans come at different depths. For example, a shallow pan can even be used to make air-fried pizza. Accessory sets may include one pan or several.
Cooking rack: Some foods are best enjoyed when cooked at a slight elevation, like chicken. A simple cooking rack allows you to place items on top so they receive heat from beneath and all around.
Skewer rack: Similar to the cooking rack is the skewer rack, which features horizontal or vertical metal skewers for bite-sized cooking.
Utensils: A variety of useful utensils can be used with an air fryer, including tongs and an oil brush. These are useful accessories in any kitchen, but they are particularly helpful for a hot, compact air fryer when you need to reach or manipulate items. Tongs should be heat-resistant and designed to work with the air fryer without damaging it. Similar to tongs are dish grippers, which have wide prongs you can use to grasp the sides of small pans.
Molds: Silicone molds are available for making cupcakes, muffins, and other fun treats in an air fryer. Molds may come individually or in a connected set of three or four. In addition to molds, some accessory sets include silicone mats to be used for baking desserts, retaining heat on top to bake evenly.
Mini mitts: Another popular accessory is the finger mitt, or mini mitt. Rather than covering the hand and wrist, a mini mitt covers just the fingertips and is designed to manipulate smaller items.
Guides: A handy accessory for those new to air fryers is a guide or recipe book. These typically feature basic recipes that allow users to explore their air fryer’s potential. Some include charts that detail cooking times and temperatures for a variety of items.
Size and compatibility
Air fryers are measured by the quart. Compatible accessories are marked as to which sizes they work with. Items like molds and utensils don’t need to match the size of the air fryer, but pans and mats should not exceed the diameter of the air fryer interior.
Aftermarket accessories
While some air fryer companies sell accessories that are compatible with their appliances, most accessory sets are not made by air fryer companies. These products are typically cheaper and may feature a more diverse collection of items, but it’s worth paying attention to quality. In some cases, the items may not be as durable and effective as those you’d buy directly from an air fryer maker. Aftermarket accessories may also not fit as securely.
Quantity
Accessory sets range in quantity, from a handful of items to 10 or even 20 pieces. Typically, larger sets come with a price break, but it’s worth going through each item to consider its necessity, quality, and value.
Did You Know?
A cooking chart that identifies air fryer cooking times for various items is helpful to keep on hand. Consider affixing a chart to a convenient location, such as a refrigerator or cabinet.
Staff
BestReviews
Features
Specialized accessories
There are a few more accessories worth mentioning, though these extras have specific functions only applicable to certain meals.
Meat thermometer: A meat thermometer is important for food safety and quality when cooking meat.
Pie weights: It’s possible to make a delicious pie in the air fryer, but you’ll want to keep the crust from bubbling and retreating from the edges of the pan. To do so, invest in some air fryer-safe pie weights.
Toast rack: Similar to a cooking or skewer rack, a toast rack allows for even heating of bread in the upright position. Most toast racks feature two, four, or even eight slots, just like most toasters.
Mandoline: This accessory doesn’t go in the air fryer; it is used beforehand to create thin, evenly sliced morsels. Most notably, a mandoline is used to cut fries for the air fryer, but it is useful for other vegetables as well.
Icing smoother: For pastry enthusiasts, an icing smoother can help create precise designs. While these aren’t directly used with an air fryer, they are often found in larger accessory sets.
Food-specific molds: Silicone molds may be used with specific foods, such as hot dogs or waffles. This can help make preparation and cooking simpler, though cleanup may be more tedious.
Appliance compatibility
Some air fryer accessories are compatible with additional kitchen appliances. For example, a cooking rack might work with a similarly sized pressure cooker. A mold or mat might be microwave-friendly. Most accessory sets offer a description of each item and where it can be effectively and safely used.
For best results, follow your air fryer recipes closely. Watch temperature and cook times just as you would with an oven.
Staff
BestReviews
Accessories
Instant Pot: Instant Pot Lux Mini
A versatile kitchen companion to the air fryer is the Instant Pot. We love this inexpensive, compact option that offers plenty of opportunities for creativity.
Oven mitts: Homwe Professional Silicone Oven Mitts
Exercise caution when using an air fryer so as not to burn your hands. We recommend investing in a pair of oven mitts like these high-quality options from Homwe, which happen to come in a variety of colors.
Air fryer accessory sets: prices
Inexpensive
For $20 or less, you can find small air fryer accessory sets that feature a handful of versatile items.
Mid-range
Most air fryer accessory sets cost between $20 and $40. These feature anywhere from five to ten items, with popular accessories as well as specialty items.
Expensive
For over $40, you’ll find the most elaborate air fryer accessory sets. Ten or more items are typically offered, including a range of specialized items.
Did You Know?
While air fryers are popular for their oil-free health benefits, some cooks like to add a little oil to their items during or after cooking. Consider a small spray bottle for misting oil; some accessory cooking sets include this item.
Staff
BestReviews
Tips
- Learn the functions of your air fryer. Before buying accessories, it’s wise to find out what your air fryer can and can’t do.
- Stretch your potential. A lot of delicious air fryer recipes aren’t intuitively obvious: French toast, donuts, pizza, and steak are among many delicious options to explore.
- Avoid redundancy. Some larger air fryer accessory sets include items you already own. Avoid doubling up on utensils to save money and space.
- Preheat the air fryer. Before adding food, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Include any racks or pan accessories when pre-heating.
FAQ
Q. Are air fryer accessories dishwasher safe?
A. Most are expected to be dishwasher safe, but each accessory has its own cleaning recommendations. Thoroughly clean each utensil and insert it after use, particularly if you’re cooking with meat, eggs, or dairy products. Keep in mind that the more accessories you use to make a meal, the more cleanup will be required.
Q. What accessories are the most useful?
A. Baking pans and cooking racks tend to get frequent use and offer lots of cooking options. In most cases, pans can also be used in the oven, and cooking racks are often compatible with pressure cookers. That said, the answer to this question depends on which foods you like to cook as well as your cooking style and interests. For example, one person may get great use out of a cupcake mold while another person may never use it.
Q. Do air fryer accessories make food taste better?
A. Certain accessories can enhance the taste and flavor of meals, provided they are used correctly. Accessories that allow for even heating are particularly useful. It may take some time to figure out the best practices when it comes to air fryer cooking; don’t be afraid to experiment.
