Ever since I got my hands on an air fryer, I’ve been obsessed! It’s been a game-changer in whipping up tasty meals quickly while using less oil. But you do need a few things beyond an air fryer to get the best results. Having just a few of the right accessories makes your air frying cooking even more effortless.
I mean, we’ve all been there, right? Getting excited about a new gadget only to find it collecting dust in a cabinet weeks later. Nobody wants that. That’s why I want to share which accessories genuinely upped my air frying game. Trust me; you’ll want them in your culinary toolkit.
Based on my air fryer adventures, I’ll be sharing my top five must-have accessories, the best air fryer cookbooks you can buy (spoiler alert, I wrote them!) plus six other accessories that might just pique your interest. So get ready to make your air frying cooking even more epic!
❤️5 Essential Air Fryer Accessories
These essential tools will make cooking and cleaning easier and allow you to easily create a variety of delicious air fryer meals.
Locking tongs
A pair of tongs are a must-have for any air fryer enthusiast. They make it easy to handle and flip food like sausages without burning your fingers or damaging the non-stick coating of the fryer basket. Having a pair of high-quality tongs will make your air frying experience much more enjoyable, and your fingers will thank you.
Oil spray bottle
Now, we all know that the magic of air frying is using less oil, right? But sometimes, your dishes need a touch of oil so the food isn’t too dry or bland. An oil spray bottle spreads the oil evenly on your food so it cooks more efficiently, with an easy-to-control application. I like using a glass oil sprayer, for even, controlled spritzes every time.
Basting brushes
Whether it’s slathering on a zesty marinade or getting that even oil coat, these brushes are essential. And ditch those flimsy brushes and go for a silicone one. They handle the air fryer’s high heat and are a breeze to clean.
Meat thermometer
A digital meat thermometer is essential for anyone who loves to cook meat in an air fryer. There’s nothing worse than an overdone steak or undercooked chicken breast! A digital meat thermometer with a quick-read feature is best. Once you get one you’ll end up using it not just in the air fryer, but also when oven roasting and grilling.
Parchment paper
Last but not least, parchment paper – my cleaning lifesaver. Slip one of these liners into your fryer basket, before you start cooking. These liners protect the fryer basket from food residue, reduce the need for scrubbing, keep the food from sticking, and preserve the nonstick coating. So they pretty much do everything! And you can buy ones that are specifically sized for almost any air fryer.
📖Air Fryer Cookbooks
I can’t talk about air fryer accessories without mentioning my digital cookbooks! First, the Easy Air Fryer Cookbook is a great beginner’s guide. It eases you into the world of air frying, ensuring you grasp the basics while setting you up for success with 55 simple yet delicious recipes.
Cook better and smarter with the recipes in this book! Delicious, healthy meals are just a few minutes away, thanks to this easy air fryer cookbook. This digital ebook contains 55 recipes, from appetizers to main dishes to desserts!
I also have Air Fryer Chicken Recipes e-book. Chicken is inexpensive, easy to find and cooks beautifully in the air fryer. So once you are ready for more complicated recipes give this one a try. And these digital cookbooks make great Christmas presents!
Make delicious, easy, and full of flavor chicken dishes that are perfect for any occasion with the easy, crowd-pleasing air fryer recipes in this digital ebook.
Right now these are both in digital, ebook format only, although I hope to have print copies available soon.
⭐6 Other Accessories to Consider
Here are some nifty additions that can expand the range of foods you can make.
Air fryer rack
An air fryer rack creates more cooking space in your air fryer basket. It boosts the cooking space, and with better air circulation, the food comes out even crispier. It’s especially useful when I’m juggling multiple dishes or different types of food in one basket.
Air fryer skewers
With air fryer skewers, you can transform your air fryer into a mini kabob station. These skewers allow you to cook food, like as meat, vegetables or fruit directly on the skewer. This is perfect for small appetizers or creative meal ideas like air fryer chicken tikka.
Baking pans
A few baking pans that fit in your air fryer will open up a world of new possibilities. Round pans and small loaf pans are perfect for air frying and making recipes like meatloaf or banana bread. You can use small oven-safe pans you already own. Metal, silicone and oven-safe glass are all fine for use in the air fryer.
Silicone muffin cups
Get creative with your breakfast or snack-time recipes by using silicone muffin cups. These little silicone cups are perfect for making egg bites, blueberry muffins, or appetizers like mac and cheese bites in your air fryer.
Mandoline slicer
Planning to make homemade chips or fries? Then a mandoline slicer will be your new best friend. It thinly slices vegetables or fruits, so they cook evenly in your air fryer. Make homemade potato chips or sweet potato fries in a snap with this handy tool.
Magnetic air fryer cheat sheet
A magnetic air fryer cheat sheet conveniently sticks to your air fryer or fridge so you can quickly reference cooking times and temperatures for various foods. It takes the guesswork out of preparing things like frozen chicken tenders.
💸Buying Guide
The most important thing to consider when buying air fryer accessories is to know your air fryer. Some essentials like parchment paper, skewers and baking dishes need to fit inside. So measure your air fryer’s basket before getting those add-ons.
Material quality is another factor to consider. You want your accessories to be long lasting and easy to clean. Most air fryer accessories are made of stainless steel or silicone or have a nonstick coating. But double check that the materials used are food-grade, BPA-free and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Finally, think about your cooking style. If you mostly use your air fryer to zap some frozen goodies, then basic accessories will do. But if you’re embracing your inner chef and whipping up full-blown meals in that fryer, things like baking pans and slicers will be useful.
In the end, the right accessories are like a golden ticket to unlocking your fryer’s full potential. Accessories can cater to different cooking styles and allow you to experiment with new recipes in your air fryer.
This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life
