The air fryer accessory industry thrives on selling you things you don’t need. Popular accessory kits contain eight to twelve pieces, yet most homes use only two or three. Those pre-cut parchment liners actually reduce crispness by blocking air circulation. Your conventional oven-safe dishes work perfectly fine despite marketing claims. High-quality basics outperform expensive specialized gadgets every time.
Smart air fryer owners know which five tools truly matter.
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Must Have 5. Dawn PowerWash: The Ultimate Air Fryer Cleaner
Dawn PowerWash effectively dissolves stubborn grease and food residue that typically requires extensive scrubbing. Application involves a simple spray-wait-wipe process, with the formula working in just 3-5 minutes on most messes. The specialized nozzle design reaches deeper corners where food particles accumulate over time. This cleaner maintains basket coatings through gentle chemical action rather than abrasive scrubbing. When you’re facing that dreaded post-chicken-wing cleanup, remember that laboratory tests show this formula removes 98% of baked-on oils without you having to scrub until your arm falls off.
Must Have 4. Oil Sprayers: Achieve Perfect Crispness
The secret to consistent browning lies in proper oil distribution techniques. Oil sprayers create a microscopic mist pattern that coats food evenly, using 75% less oil than traditional application methods. These devices excel particularly with vegetables, which benefit from minimal oil to develop optimal texture. Different oil varieties can be rotated based on their smoke points—olive oil at 375°F, avocado at 520°F—to match various cooking requirements. While you might be tempted to skip this step, remember that without proper oil application, you’ll be left wondering why your carefully prepared recipes lack that restaurant-quality finish that made you buy an air fryer in the first place.
Must Have 3. Tongs: A Kitchen Staple for Air Frying
Proper food handling tools represent a critical but often overlooked component of air fryer cooking. Silicone-tipped tongs preserve basket coatings while offering precise manipulation of food items during the cooking cycle. Heat resistance ratings of 500°F ensure these tools withstand the intense temperatures inside active air fryers. Locking mechanisms provide compact storage in drawers with limited space, addressing a common kitchen organization issue. You’ll appreciate how the ergonomic design prevents cramped fingers on taco night—a small detail that makes the difference between enjoyable cooking and frustrating kitchen experiences when handling multiple batches.
Must Have 2. Thermoworks Silicone Heat-Resistant Trivet: Protecting Surfaces
Counter protection remains essential when working with high-temperature appliances. Heat-resistant trivets create designated safe zones for air fryer placement during and after operation. Material science innovations allow these products to withstand temperatures up to 600°F without structural compromise. Many models incorporate non-slip surfaces that prevent movement during the basket removal process. Dimensional variety accommodates different air fryer footprints, from compact 2-quart models to larger 8-quart family-sized units. That beautiful countertop you invested in deserves protection from thermal shock and potential scorching—an expensive problem solved by this simple, unassuming accessory.
Must Have 1. Instant-Read Thermometer: The Most Important Tool
Food safety depends fundamentally on accurate temperature verification. Instant-read thermometers eliminate guesswork by providing precise internal temperature readings in 1-3 seconds. Professional-grade models like the Thermapen One deliver accuracy within ±0.5°F, ensuring reliable results across various food categories. Temperature verification prevents both undercooked hazards and overcooked disappointments—particularly important when preparing poultry (safe at 165°F) or medium-rare beef (135°F). Digital displays remain readable in low-light conditions, addressing visibility challenges during evening meal preparation. When you’re trying to impress dinner guests but secretly panicking about whether that expensive cut of meat is perfectly medium-rare, this tool transforms anxiety into confidence with just a simple probe. Now that you know what you’re must haves are, you might also want to look into the best air fryer toaster ovens.
Avoid 4. Pre-Cut Parchment Paper Liners: Not as Effective as You Think
Culinary experts have documented how pre-cut parchment liners restrict air circulation in fryers. These sheets create a barrier between hot air and food, reducing crispness by up to 25% in controlled tests. Food residue still accumulates around edges despite packaging claims, necessitating basket cleaning afterward. Standard parchment paper cut to size costs half the price of specialized pre-cut options. Your crispy chicken wings and perfectly golden fries deserve direct contact with circulating heat—not a paper barrier that leaves them disappointingly soggy.
Avoid 3. Silicone Trivets for Inside the Air Fryer: Unnecessary Additions
Testing laboratories confirm that silicone trivets provide no benefit in air fryers. Modern air fryer design already includes optimal food elevation, with 92% of models featuring built-in grates specifically engineered for airflow. Additional trivets restrict circulation by approximately 15-20% according to airflow diagnostics. Manufacturer testing has optimized basket configurations to deliver maximum heat distribution without supplementary accessories. Skip the trivet and let your air fryer do what it was born to do—circulate hot air around your food from every angle for that perfect crisp.
Avoid 2. Air Fryer Accessory Kits: Avoid Low-Quality Bundles
Consumer studies show that typical accessory bundles include between 8-12 items, yet most households regularly use only 2-3 pieces long-term. These mass-produced kits frequently use materials that deteriorate under repeated heating, with 64% of bundled accessories showing damage after six months of regular use. Testing facilities have recorded warping, discoloration, and component separation in budget kits during standard cooking cycles. Instead of cluttering your kitchen with soon-to-be-damaged gadgets you’ll never use, invest in one quality rack or tong that’ll still be serving your air-frying needs years from now.
Avoid 1. Specialized Baking Pans: Oven-Safe is Good Enough
Any heat-resistant container rated for temperatures above 400°F (204°C) works effectively in air fryer chambers. The critical factor remains adequate clearance around the container—at least 0.5 inches (1.27cm) on all sides—rather than specialized construction. That ceramic ramekin you already own will work perfectly for your air fryer egg bites—save the money you would’ve spent on “specialized” pans for ingredients that actually improve your meals.
