Air Fryer Liners and Accessories: What Helps and What Gets in the Way
Published
The best air fryer accessories contain mess without blocking the moving hot air that makes the appliance work.
Reading time: 8 minutesBest for: Air fryer owners deciding whether liners, racks, pans, and other add-ons will improve everyday cooking
Why airflow matters inside the basket
Air fryers crisp food because moving hot air reaches the surface and helps moisture evaporate. In a drawer-style model, air commonly moves through openings in the crisper plate and around the sides of the basket. If those openings are covered, the underside of food receives less heat and airflow. The result can be pale fries, soggy breading, or food that needs more turning and longer cooking.
Airflow also depends on how food is arranged. A basket filled to the rim may technically hold more food, but the pieces shield one another from circulating air. Leave room around food whenever crisping matters, and shake or turn it when the recipe calls for it. An accessory should support this arrangement, not turn the basket into a deep, enclosed pan.
Perforated parchment and silicone liners
Perforated parchment liners have holes that allow some air to pass through while catching drips and sticky residue. They can be useful for foods with glazes, delicate breading, or small pieces that are difficult to clean from basket openings. Put the liner in only when food is on top of it. An empty or lightly loaded paper liner can be lifted by the fan and move toward the heating area.
Silicone liners are reusable and sturdier, but their raised sides and thicker material can reduce airflow more than a thin perforated paper liner. They are often better for moist foods than for foods you want deeply crisp. Choose a liner that fits inside the basket without folding up the sides or covering vents. If food comes out soft, remove the liner for the final part of cooking or use the bare crisper plate next time.
Racks, skewers, and baking pans
Racks can create a second level for food, which is useful when an oven-style air fryer has enough vertical room and the instructions allow rack cooking. Skewers can hold small pieces in place, and shallow pans can contain foods that would otherwise drip or spread. These accessories are most useful when they solve a specific problem, such as holding a casserole-like dish or keeping small vegetables from falling through a rack.
Every added rack or pan changes the air path. A solid baking pan blocks airflow below it, and a tall rack can place food too close to the heating area. Use shallow, open accessories when crisping is the goal, and leave space around them for air to circulate. Rotate racks or switch tray positions if the appliance instructions recommend it, since upper and lower levels may brown differently.
Avoid accessories that block vents or crowd food
Do not use an accessory simply because it fits inside the basket. A solid sheet of foil, an oversized pan, or a deep container can block the perforated base and collect moisture. Food may cook through but lack the dry, browned surface people expect from air frying. Crowding also increases the chance that sauce, crumbs, or grease will collect in hidden areas and become harder to clean.
Avoid loose lightweight materials, oversized handles, and accessories that touch the heating area, door, or fan cover. Do not stack food tightly on a rack to force a larger batch into the appliance. If you need to cook more than one layer, use an appliance designed for racks and follow its placement guidance. Otherwise, cooking in batches usually produces more even results and less mess.
What this guide helps you understand
Use accessories only when they solve a cleanup or cooking problem without covering the airflow paths or crowding the food.
Confirm that each liner, rack, pan, or skewer fits inside the cooking cavity with clearance from heating elements, fans, doors, and vents.
Keep perforated basket surfaces as open as possible when crisping is the main goal.
Technique notes
A bare basket or crisper plate is often the simplest and most effective setup for fries, wings, and other foods that need strong airflow.
Safety note: Never place loose parchment or other lightweight materials in a running air fryer unless food holds them securely in place.
