Air fryers have been around for some time, but only recently have their popularity grown. This is because they are cost-effective they are to run, their versatility, and also because they use less oil to cook food than conventional cooking methods. This has also led to an increase in the types of air fryer accessories now available too!
As air fryers are now seen as an essential kitchen gadget, there has been an explosion of recipes and cook books.
What can be cooked in an air fryer?
Most things can be cooked in an air fryer, such as cakes, muffins, tarts, pizza and bread, roast chicken and duck, and so much more. Some models have a dehydrator function, which is great for fruits, vegetables, and chilies, for example. Frozen foods also cook perfectly in less time than a conventional oven.
Many air fryers come with recipe books that also have useful hints, and tips. Others have apps to download, giving you access to recipes online for your particular brand of air fryer. However, the internet is bursting with tips on how to best use your air fryer, with an abundance of recipes to choose from.
How to use air-fryer accessories
Air fryer accessories are similar to the ones used for conventional cooking. Many are made from silicone, as they can withstand higher levels of heat. However, racks are made from metal. The majority, if not all, of accessories are dishwasher-proof.
There are plenty of air fryer accessories available from spatulas and tongs to baking pans and racks.
Air fryer kits
Many of the big names, such as Tower, Ninja, and Cosori, have created their own range of air fryer accessories. These accessories will work with other brands of air fryers too! Just make sure the ones you are considering are compatible with your air fryer.
Popular air fryer accessory items include but are not limited to:
- Pizza trays – You can use your air fryer to bake your favourite pizza or cook a frozen one. Some brands will have their own pizza trays specifically to fit their air fryers, while others will be generic.
- Racks & Trivets – Air fryer racks double the amount of food you can cook in one go, making it easier to cook larger items or multiple items at once.
- Bakeware, cake and muffin tins – You can use any ovenproof dish or mould in an air fryer. They could be made from glass, ceramic, silicone or metal. Silicone and paper cupcake cups or moulds can be used to bake cupcakes, muffins or small gratins.
- Tongs – The best types of tongs to use in an air fryer are silicone or silicone tipped ones. This to avoid scratching the non-stick coating on the air fryer basket and interior.
- Brushes – Silicone pastry brushes are ideal to lightly spread oil on food before cooking in an air fryer.
- Liners – Liners help to prevent food sticking to the basket. You can get silicone or ones from greaseproof paper. Another reason for using a liner is to save on cleaning up after but also to ensure the food stays intact during cooking.
- Oil spray bottle – Get a good pump spray or spritzer and fill it with your favourite oil that has a high smoke point. This is the healthier option and it can be used for all of your cooking, not just for the air fryer. Avoid using oil propellant pumps and sprays as they contain chemicals, which are not good for your health and may adversely affect the coating of your air fryer.
- Meat thermometer – If you cook a lot of meat in your air fryer then a thermometer is a good and safe way to know when your meat is ready. It allows you to keep a check on the internal temperature of the meat throughout the cooking process.
- Oven to air fryer conversion chart – If you want to spare yourself time, and having to look up cooking times and temperatures online, an air fryer conversion chart is very useful.
- Accessory kits – Some of the bigger air fryer brands such as Tower, Philips and Cosori have put together their own accessory kits. This may be useful if you don’t want the hassle of buying individual pieces.
Things to consider when buying air fryer accessories
Before diving in and buying air fryer accessories remember that not all air fryers are the same. Some are round or square while others will be large or small.
Also, don’t worry about buying items that are the same brand of your air fryer, most items are generic.
Finally, ensure that the silicone products are suitable for use at high temperatures, and buy equipment that is reusable for sustainability.
Best Selling Air Fryer Accessories
