The air fryer is a kitchen miracle. It cooks faster, makes food crispier, and creates healthier meals with less oil. But what if you could make it even better?

With the right accessories, you can unlock the full potential of your air fryer. Here are some tips for using your air fryer basket and racks. Knowing the best tools also helps a lot.

This guide shows you how to use air fryer accessories like a pro. You’ll save time, get better results, and make cooking more fun.

Pro Tip: Accessories turn your air fryer into a true mini-oven, roaster, grill, and baker in one.

Quick Guide: Must-Know Air Fryer Accessory Tips

  • Use racks to double your cooking space.
  • Choose silicone liners for easier cleanup.
  • Pick the right basket for each type of food.
  • Try baking pans for cakes, quiches, and breads.
  • Always ensure accessories allow airflow.

Important: Blocked air circulation leads to undercooked, uneven food.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Air Fryer Accessories

Step 1: Understand How Air Fryers Cook

Air fryers cook by circulating hot air rapidly around your food. Accessories must work with — not against — that airflow.

Good accessories allow:

  • Hot air to move freely.
  • Food to be evenly exposed to heat.
  • Easy flipping or shaking during cooking.
Accessory Airflow-Friendly?
Wire Racks Yes
Solid Baking Dishes Only for specific dishes

Quick Tip: Accessories should never completely block vents or basket holes.

A person in an apron prepares food with an air fryer on a wooden kitchen counter, surrounded by fresh produce and utensils.

Step 2: Use the Basket Properly

The basket is your air fryer’s main workhorse. Using it correctly keeps food crispy and cooks evenly.

Air fryer basket tips:

  • Do not overcrowd — arrange in a single layer when possible.
  • Shake halfway for even browning.
  • Spray lightly with oil if needed to prevent sticking.
  • Clean after every use to maintain airflow.

Important: Food piles block circulation and lead to soggy results.

Step 3: Master Cooking with Racks

Racks allow you to cook more food at once — without overcrowding.

Air fryer racks guide:

  • Stack small foods (like nuggets, wings, or chips) on two levels.
  • Rotate top and bottom racks halfway through for even cooking.
  • Use racks with mesh designs to allow airflow.
Food Rack Tips
Wings Use racks for double batches.
Chips Cook on lower rack and rotate for crispness.
Vegetables Use single layers on each rack.


Pro Tip: Rack stacking is perfect for meal prepping or feeding larger groups.

Step 4: Try Silicone Accessories

Silicone is a game-changer for easy air fryer cooking.

Best silicone tools:

  • Silicone basket liners.
  • Silicone muffin cups for baking.
  • Heatproof silicone mats for sticky foods.

Benefits of silicone:

  • Easy cleanup.
  • No sticking.
  • Reusable and eco-friendly.

Quick Tip: Always choose BPA-free, high-heat safe silicone.

Step 5: Explore Specialised Pans and Dishes

Your air fryer can do more than fry — it can bake, roast, and grill with the right pans.

Popular pans for air fryers:

Pan Best For
Round cake pans Baking cakes, breads, brownies.
Pizza pans Small pizzas or flatbreads.
Grill pans Searing meats, vegetables, and fish.


Important: Check pan size — it must fit with space around it for airflow.

Want to master air fryer basics too? Check out Getting Started with Your First Air Fryer!

Roasted vegetables including caramelized fennel and potatoes on parchment paper in a baking tray in the oven.

Step 6: Know When to Use Foil and Baking Paper

Foil and baking paper help with messier foods — but must be used wisely.

Using foil and paper:

  • Only use parchment paper designed for air fryers (with holes).
  • Anchor foil well — loose pieces can blow around and block air circulation.
  • Avoid covering the entire basket.
Material When to Use
Perforated Baking Paper For sticky or battered foods.
Foil For covering delicate foods or avoiding dripping.


Pro Tip: Never preheat with paper or foil alone in the basket — it can fly into the heating element.

Step 7: Accessory Safety Tips

Protect your air fryer (and your food) by using accessories safely.

Safety reminders:

  • Only use oven-safe, food-grade materials.
  • Avoid accessories with plastic parts not rated for high heat.
  • Always leave room for hot air to circulate around your accessories.

Quick Tip: If an accessory smells strongly during cooking, it may not be truly heat-safe — replace it.

Best Air Fryer Tools for Every Cook

Tool Why It’s Great
Silicone Basket Liners Easier cleanup, reusable.
Stackable Racks Cook more in one go.
Cake Pan Bake directly in the air fryer.
Grill Pan Sear meats and vegetables.
Heatproof Tongs Flip and lift safely.


Sustainability Note: Reusable silicone liners and baking mats reduce disposable waste.

Advanced Tips for Air Fryer Accessory Pros

  • Layer smarter: Put slower-cooking foods on the lower rack where heat is stronger.
  • Use oil misters: Light, even oiling improves crispness without soaking foods.
  • Experiment with baking: Cheesecakes, brownies, and mini-quiches bake beautifully in the air fryer.

Pro Tip: Keeping a simple air fryer tool kit (liners, racks, a pan, and tongs) covers 90% of recipes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake Why It Matters
Blocking airflow with solid pans Food cooks unevenly or burns.
Overloading baskets and racks Leads to soggy food and longer cooking times.
Using wrong materials Risk of melting or smoke.


Quick Tip: Always leave some open space — about 1–2 cm — around all accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are air fryer accessories universal?

Not always. Check your air fryer’s size and shape — round vs square baskets may need different pans or liners.

Can you stack food directly without racks?

You can, but it reduces airflow and crispness. Racks allow stacking without losing quality.

Is it safe to use metal in the air fryer?

Yes — oven-safe metal (like stainless steel or aluminium pans) is safe as long as airflow is not blocked.

How do I clean air fryer accessories?

Most silicone and metal accessories are dishwasher safe. For racks and baskets, soak in warm, soapy water and scrub with a soft brush if needed.

Are air fryer liners worth it?

Definitely. They reduce sticking, protect your basket’s non-stick coating, and speed up cleanup.

Master Your Air Fryer with the Right Tools

The right accessories can turn your air fryer from a basic cooker into a true kitchen powerhouse.

Master air fryer basket tips, use your new air fryer racks guide, and pick the best air fryer tools. This way, you can cook smarter, cleaner, and tastier meals every time.

Equip better. Cook smarter. Enjoy more.

For more guidance on using accessories correctly, don’t miss Choosing the Best Air Fryer for Your Needs!