How to Use Air Fryer Accessories? Guide to Each Tool’s Use

Introduction

Air fryers have completely changed the way we cook at home. They crisp up fries with a fraction of the oil, reheat leftovers without turning them soggy, and do it all in record time. But once you start exploring, you’ll notice that your air fryer can do so much more than frozen snacks. The secret? Accessories.

The question we hear most often is “How to Use Air Fryer Accessories?” — and honestly, it’s a great question. With baskets, racks, rotisserie spears, skewers, liners, and baking pans, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why this guide walks you through the role of each tool, how to use it, and what to avoid.

By the end, you’ll know exactly which accessory to reach for, whether you’re making chicken wings, baking a cake, or drying apple slices. Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Air Fryer Accessories: What’s Worth Using?
• The Basket: Your Everyday Workhorse
• The Cooking Rack: Layering Made Simple
• The Rotisserie Attachment: Whole-Bird Magic
• Skewers: Perfect for Kabobs
• Silicone Liners and Parchment Paper
• The Baking Pan and Cake Barrel
• Muffin Cups and Ramekins
• The Grilling Grid: Indoor Grill Marks
• Pizza Pan and Air Fryer Pizza Accessories
• Divided Basket: Cooking Two Things at Once
• Accessory Comparison Table
• Step-by-Step: How to Use Air Fryer Accessories Safely
• Tips and Best Practices
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Understanding Air Fryer Accessories: What’s Worth Using?

Air fryer accessories generally fall into two categories: things that come with the air fryer and things you buy separately. Many basket-style air fryers include a basic rack or divider in the box. Oven-style air fryers often come with multiple wire racks, a rotisserie spear, and sometimes a drip tray. If you bought a separate accessory kit, you probably have a mix of silicone, metal, and mesh tools.

Not every accessory is right for every air fryer, though. Using the wrong metal accessory in a basket-style machine could scratch the nonstick coating. Using silicone in an oven-style fryer might block airflow if it’s too thick. That’s why it helps to learn the purpose of each tool before you start experimenting.

Think of your air fryer as a small convection oven. Anything that works in a regular oven — baking pans, racks, skewers, pizza trays — can typically work in an air fryer, as long as it fits and doesn’t block the fan. Understanding that logic makes the question of “How to Use Air Fryer Accessories?” a lot easier to answer.

The Basket: Your Everyday Workhorse

The basket is the standard accessory that ships with most air fryers. It’s the tool you’ll use for foods like French fries, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, and roasted vegetables. The basket is designed for maximum airflow, with perforations on the bottom and sometimes on the sides to let hot air circulate.

How to Use the Basket

• Place food in a single layer at the bottom of the basket. Overlapping prevents hot air from reaching every surface.
• Leave a little room around the edges. Do not cram food against the walls.
• Set your temperature and time, then shake the basket halfway through. Shaking repositions the food so it cooks evenly.
• Tap the basket out or use silicone-tipped tongs to remove hot food. Never use metal utensils which can scratch the nonstick coating.

When using the basket, it’s tempting to fill it to the top. Resist that urge. A basket that’s no more than two-thirds full will give you the crispiest results. If you need to cook more, use the rack accessory to add a second layer instead of overloading the basket.

The Cooking Rack: Layering Made Simple

The rack fits inside the air fryer basket or cooking chamber to raise food off the bottom and support a second cooking layer. It’s one of the most versatile accessories. You can use it for reheating, dehydrating, and cooking foods that need to be slightly elevated from the bottom.

Best Ways to Use the Rack

• Batch cooking: Cook a layer of chicken thighs on the rack and a layer of potatoes in the basket beneath it. Just note that the lower layer may cook more slowly, so rotate the layers halfway through.
• Dehydrating: Arrange fruit slices or jerky on the rack in single layers. The airflow from all sides helps moisture escape evenly.
• Reheating: Use the rack to reheat pizza and baked goods. Elevated food won’t sit in its own drippings, staying crispier.

When stacking with the rack, keep the upper layer light and allow a finger’s width of space between the rack and the top of the air fryer. Tight spaces mean poor airflow, and poor airflow means soggy food.

The Rotisserie Attachment: Whole-Bird Magic

The rotisserie attachment typically includes a metal spear, two-pronged forks, and sometimes a set of clips. It’s one of the most impressive accessories because it slowly rotates food in front of the hot air, allowing fat to render and drip away continuously. The result is juicy chicken with crispy, golden skin.

Step-by-Step: How to Use the Rotisserie Attachment

1. Truss the bird. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wings behind the back. This keeps the chicken compact so nothing catches on the heating element during rotation.
2. Slide the rotisserie spear through the cavity of the bird.
3. Push the two-pronged forks into the chicken from each side. Slide one fork in near the breast, and the other near the legs. Tighten the screws.
4. Place the loaded spear into the air fryer rotisserie slots. Make sure the left side is seated first, then lower the right side into place.
5. Select the rotisserie function on your air fryer panel, or set the temperature manually to 350°F (175°C).
6. Set the timer based on the size of the bird. A 3-4 pound chicken usually takes 50–60 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
7. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Notice that the rotisserie uses a different cooking time than a regular basket. Since the food is rotating, it cooks slightly more slowly than still air, but the even browning and juicy texture make it worth the extra minutes.

If your air fryer doesn’t have a rotisserie function built in, you can still use a rotisserie attachment if it’s compatible with your model. Check the manual for approval before committing to any third-party attachment.

Skewers: Perfect for Kabobs

Skewers for air fryers usually come in sets of four to six flat or round metal rods. Some have a rotating rack that holds the skewers around in a circle, like a rotisserie. These are excellent for making kabobs with shrimp, chicken, vegetables, or even chunks of pineapple.

Using skewers in a basket-style air fryer is simple:

• Thread ingredients onto the skewer, leaving a small gap between each piece so hot air can circulate.
• Place the skewers across the top of the basket, resting the ends on the rim, if your air fryer supports that. If not, lay them flat inside the basket.
• Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

Metal skewers can get very hot. Use oven mitts and a metal tray to remove them from the air fryer.

Silicone Liners and Parchment Paper

Silicone liners and air-fryer parchment paper are great for catching drips and making cleanup faster. They sit inside the basket underneath your food, so cheese, sauce, and juices don’t bake onto the basket’s surface.

How to Use Liners Correctly

• For parchment paper, use pre-cut air fryer sheets or cut your own to fit the bottom of the basket.
• Place a few pieces of food on the liner to weigh it down. Empty liners can be sucked up by the fan and burn against the heating element.
• For silicone liners, make sure they sit flat and don’t fold up the side walls. A folded liner traps grease and may block airflow.

One common mistake is using silicone liners with air fryers that have top-mounted fans. If the liner flies around, you’re better off skipping it and relying on the nonstick basket coating instead.

The Baking Pan and Cake Barrel

Baking pans designed for air fryers are usually smaller than standard pans. They fit inside the air fryer basket and often come with a silicone or metal lid. Use them for baking single-layer cakes, brownies, cornbread, and even lasagna.

To bake with a pan in your air fryer:

1. Grease the pan thoroughly or line it with parchment paper.
2. Pour in your batter or assemble your dish.
3. Place the pan in the basket.
4. Lower the temperature by about 25°F (14°C) compared to a conventional oven, since the air fryer circulates heat much more aggressively.
5. Check for doneness 5–10 minutes before the recipe’s expected time.

Cake barrels are deeper than regular baking pans and are great for taller baked items. They come with a lift-out handle, which makes it easier to pull the finished cake out without tilting it and breaking the crust.

Muffin Cups and Ramekins

Muffin cups are small pans that hold four or six mini muffins. They’re wonderful for making egg bites, mini quiches, blueberry muffins, and chocolate lava cakes. Ramekins are small ceramic or silicone bowls that work for single-serve casseroles, custards, and baked oatmeal.

Using muffin cups and ramekins is straightforward: place them in the air fryer basket, fill with your mixture, and cook. But there are a couple of tips that make the results much better.

• Preheat the air fryer before adding the ramekins if you want a nice crust on your dish.
• Leave at least half an inch of space between ramekins so hot air can flow between them.
• Use silicone ramekins rather than glass if you’re concerned about thermal shock. Not all glass is safe in intense dry heat.

Ramekins also work well for reheating small portions. Instead of using the microwave, pop a ramekin of leftover chili into the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes and you’ll get a caramelized, bubbling top.

The Grilling Grid: Indoor Grill Marks

The grill grid is a raised metal plate with open slots that mimics the grates of an outdoor grill. It sits in the basket, letting fat drip through into the bottom section while leaving beautiful grill marks on meat, halloumi, and vegetables.

To get the most out of the grill grid:

• Preheat the air fryer with the grill grid inside for 5 minutes.
• Coat the grid with a light spray of oil to prevent food from sticking.
• Place your food directly on the grid and cook at a high temperature, around 400°F (200°C).
• Let the food sear for 5–7 minutes without flipping to develop those grill lines.

Clean the grill grid immediately after it cools. Food residue can be tough to remove from narrow slots once it bakes on.

Pizza Pan and Air Fryer Pizza Accessories

Air fryer pizza pans are usually round, perforated aluminum trays that help hot air reach the underside of a pizza crust. Use them for reheating leftover pizza, cooking frozen mini pizzas, or building a personal-sized pizza from scratch.

If your air fryer doesn’t come with a pizza pan, you can use a flat metal rack as an alternative. The key is to get the pizza elevated so the base doesn’t sit directly on the basket floor, which would trap steam and make the crust soggy.

For best results, cook pizza at 375°F (190°C) for 6–8 minutes if reheating and 10–12 minutes if fresh. Check the cheese — once it’s bubbly and lightly browned, the pizza is ready.

Divided Basket: Cooking Two Things at Once

A divided basket is a metal insert that splits the air fryer basket into two sections. It’s perfect for cooking a protein in one half and a side of vegetables in the other. Many air fryer models now ship with a removable divider, but you can also buy one as an accessory.

When using a divided basket, remember that both sides share the same fan and temperature. You can’t set different temperatures for each side. However, you can stagger the cooking start times — add the quicker-cooking food later, then flip both sides together halfway through.

Use the divider for breakfast too: eggs on one side, hash browns on the other, both finished at the same time.

Accessory Comparison Table

Step-by-Step: How to Use Air Fryer Accessories Safely

Safety is the most important part of using air fryer accessories. The unit generates intense heat, and not every accessory is compatible with every machine. When you’re ready to understand how to use air fryer accessories safely, follow this sequence:

1. Check the manual. Look for a list of approved accessories for your specific air fryer model.
2. Inspect the accessory. Make sure there are no cracks, chips, or loose screws before loading it.
3. Insert accessories when the air fryer is off and cool. Adding a cold metal rack into a hot basket can cause thermal shock.
4. Never block the air intake or exhaust. Accessories must fit comfortably with clear space around them.
5. Use silicone-coated or wooden utensils to avoid scratching nonstick surfaces.
6. Let the accessory cool completely before washing. Rapid cooling under cold water can warp metal pans.
7. Use gentle dish soap and warm water. Avoid abrasive scrub pads on any coated accessory.

Most air fryer accessories are top-rack dishwasher safe, but some silicone pieces and plastic handles aren’t. When in doubt, hand wash. The extra two minutes you spend hand washing are nothing compared to replacing a warped pan.

Tips and Best Practices

These tips will help you get the most out of every air fryer accessory you own:

• Preheat your air fryer before using any metal accessory. Cold metal acts as a heat sink and delays browning.
• Use a meat thermometer instead of trusting visual cues alone. Air fryer accessories can either speed up or slow down cooking depending on their surface area and color.
• Dark metal pans absorb heat faster and brown food more quickly. If your accessory is dark, start checking for doneness a few minutes early.
• Keep silicone accessories away from the heating coil. Most silicone is rated above 400°F (204°C), but direct contact with a red-hot coil is another story.
• Match the accessory to the task. A rotisserie is not the right tool for reheating fries. Use the basket for that.
• Clean accessories after every use. A cleaner accessory transfers heat better and won’t smoke or smell stale on the next run.

A simple habit: before you start cooking, lay out all the accessories you plan to use. Check each one for any residue from the last meal, and make sure it’s completely dry. A dry accessory is a safe accessory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special air fryer accessories, or can I use regular oven pans?

You can use regular oven pans as long as they fit inside the air fryer and are rated for high heat. Avoid anything with plastic handles or wooden parts. Oven-safe glass, metal, and ceramic are fine, but always leave space for air circulation.

Can I put air fryer accessories in the dishwasher?

Many metal accessories are dishwasher safe, but silicone pieces and items with nonstick coatings are safer when hand washed. Check the user manual or the marking on the accessory itself before loading it into the dishwasher.

Why do my accessories get pulled up by the fan?

Light silicone liners and parchment paper can get sucked toward the heating element. This happens when the material is too light or doesn’t fit the basket snugly. Weight the liner down with food, or switch to a heavier silicone mat that has grooves to hold it in place.

Can I use multiple accessories at once?

Yes, but only if they don’t block each other and leave enough room for air to flow. For example, a cooking rack placed above a baking pan works well for cooking chicken with roasted vegetables below. Just don’t use more than two layers in a compact air fryer.

What are the most essential accessories for beginners?

Start with a silicone liner, a cooking rack, and a set of skewers. These three cover cleaning, capacity, and variety without costing much. Wait until you’ve cooked a few meals before investing in a rotisserie or specialty baking pans.

Can I use aluminum foil instead of parchment paper?

Yes, aluminum foil works fine in an air fryer, but the same rules apply: use it flat, place food on top, and make sure it doesn’t block airflow. Avoid foil with acidic foods like tomatoes, which can cause the foil to break down and leave a metallic taste.

Why is my cake sticking to the baking pan even after greasing?

Air fryer pans brown food more aggressively, which can make cakes stick. Use a stronger releasing method: butter and a dusting of flour, or a piece of parchment paper cut to fit the bottom of the pan.

Are third-party air fryer accessories safe?

Yes, as long as they’re made from food-grade materials and match your air fryer’s size and wattage. Look for signs of quality like thick metal, smooth edges, and non-toxic silicone. Read reviews from other owners of the same air fryer model before you buy.

Conclusion

Learning how to use air fryer accessories isn’t complicated, but it does make a world of difference in your results. The basket handles everyday snacks, the rack boosts your capacity, the rotisserie delivers impressive weekend roasts, and the small pans open up a whole world of baking.

Start with the accessories you already own and master those first. As you become more comfortable, add new tools one at a time. Before long, you’ll know exactly which accessory to pull out for every meal, and your air fryer will go from a countertop appliance to a true all-in-one kitchen workhorse.