It’s safe to say the Ninja Air Fryer is one of the most popular kitchen gadgets of the moment. (If you don’t have one already, trust us, you’re missing out on some crispy goodness!) And while the Ninja Air Fryer is plenty amazing on its own, there are quite a few accessories out there that can help you elevate your cooking game even further.
Keep reading to learn more about the Ninja Air Fryer and why it’s useful, what types of accessories you can use with it and how to use these accessories to make perfectly crunchy veggies, meats, apps, snacks and more.
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What Is a Ninja Air Fryer?
First, a lesson on air frying: “This method of cooking is essentially convection cooking, using a fan to help circulate the hot air around the food, so it cooks more evenly versus baking, which cooks from the bottom up or broiling, which cooks from the top down,” explains GiGi Ashworth, allergen-friendly chef, nutritionist and author.
You can essentially cook anything and everything in an air fryer (including cake!), says Ashworth. “That being said, the best foods, in my opinion, to cook in the air fryer would be salmon and chicken wings,” she adds.
Ninja is one of the many brands of air fryers you can find in stores and online. “It’s been highly regarded as one of the best air fryers on the market because they’re insanely reliable and have a plethora of models to suit everyone’s needs,” says Ashworth.
Ninja offers up a few different sizes of air fryers, including a 5.5-quart air fryer that can also bake, dehydrate and reheat food, says Ashworth. They also sell a 10-quart dual air fryer (part of the Ninja Foodi line) that can air fry two chickens at once as it boasts two buckets, says Ashworth.
“The coolest part about their two-bucket model, though, is one of the buckets could be set to air fry while the other could be set to roast or bake,” she adds.
The bottom line: “Because Ninja offers so many varieties of air fryers, they truly are top of the line when it comes to wanting to cook a lot of delicious foods quickly and for a lot of people,” says Ashworth.
What to Know About Ninja Air Fryer Accessories
Want to know what Ninja Air Fryer accessories are for and what the most popular Ninja Air Fryer accessories are? We’ve got answers to your most commonly asked questions so you can shop with ease.
Do you need accessories for the Ninja Air Fryer?
No, you don’t technically need Ninja Air Fryer accessories. “You can use it completely on its own,” says Samantha Lynn, owner of Everyday Family Cooking.
However, certain accessories can make cleaning up post-cooking easier. For example, “I love using just the basket with my air fryer but do highly recommend parchment liners if you need something inexpensive to help with cleaning,” says Lynn.
Ashworth adds that while accessories aren’t necessary to achieve perfectly fried foods, they can also be nice to have on hand to prevent burning yourself or to further enhance the taste and texture of the food you’re air frying.
Plus, “using an accessory allows you to be more creative with the air fryer,” says Lynn. “You allow yourself to start baking in it by using a cake pan or using silicone muffin liners.”
What are some accessories for an air fryer?
There are so many accessories you can use with the Ninja Air Fryer. “You can use everything from glass dishes to cake pans to silicone liners and more,” says Lynn. “Basically, if you can use it in an oven, it’s safe for use in an air fryer.”
Lynn says she’s used silicone and parchment liners, silicone baskets, wired racks, cake pans, glass dishes and more in her air fryer.
What’s the multi-layer rack used on the Ninja Air Fryer?
Ever wondered what that multi-layer rack accessory is for the Ninja Air Fryer? Allow Lynn to explain: “When you cook in an air fryer, most foods need to be cooked in a single layer,” she says. “The multi-layer rack allows you to have two layers.”
Lynn notes that it’s very important to swap the placement of the food halfway through cooking for evenly cooked food if you’re using a multi-layer rack. “It’s also good to note that the food on the top rack may brown more quickly than the food on the bottom rack as it is closer to the heating coil and fan,” she adds.
How do you use Ninja Air Fryer accessories?
How you use Ninja Air Fryer accessories really depends on which accessory you’re using, says Thomas Seres, air fryer expert at Fryer Consumer.
“But the number one rule is: don’t preheat an air fryer with only the parchment paper in it,” he explains. “It can move around, touching the heating element, and burn down your air fryer.”
15 Best Ninja Air Fryer Accessories
Ready to stock up on the best Ninja Air Fryer accessories? Here are 15 awesome options for various Ninja Air Fryer models, including the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL and Ninja Foodi Air Fryer.
1. Air Fryer Silicone Pot, $12.99 on Amazon
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“My favorite accessory, hands down, would be a silicone insert because I am all about easy clean up,” says Ashworth. If you’re looking for Ninja dual air fryer accessories, this silicone insert is just the ticket. This non-stick air fryer basket is made from food-grade silicone, withstands high temps and helps prevent food from being soaked in oil. Air Fryer Silicone Pot, $12.99 on Amazon
2. Reusable Air Fryer Liners, $12.75 on Amazon
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These reusable air fryer liners are a favorite of Lynn’s. Made of silicone, they help prevent food from sticking, which makes clean up so much easier. They fit into most large and extra-large square air fryers and have a perforated design that ensures even cooking. Reusable Air Fryer Liners, $12.75 on Amazon
3. Reusable Oil Sprayer, $20.51 on Amazon
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Another favorite of Lynn’s, this reusable oil sprayer is a must to perfectly coat the foods you put in your Ninja Air Fryer. This BPA-free plastic spray bottle allows you to spray oil in a horizontal and vertical fan pattern for optimal coverage and will look so chic on your kitchen counter to boot. Reusable Oil Sprayer, $20.51 on Amazon
4. OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups, $11.99 on Amazon
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These heat-resistant silicone cups will help you master meal prepping like a pro. You can use them in your Ninja Air Fryer to make everything from muffins to egg bites so you have breakfast on-hand for the week. They have easy-lift tabs so popping out food from them is a breeze. OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups, $11.99 on Amazon
5. Air Fryer Accessories Set, $32.99 on Amazon
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This accessories set comes with just about everything you could ever want to use with your Ninja Air Fryer. Compatible with the 5.5-quart Ninja Air Fryer, this set features 12 accessories, including an egg bite mold, pizza pan, silicone mat and bread rack. Air Fryer Accessories Set, $32.99 on Amazon
6. Disposable Paper Liners, $14.99 on Amazon
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These disposable paper liners for the Ninja Dual Air Fryer are made from food-grade parchment and are waterproof, oil-proof and non-stick. They can withstand temps up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and fit perfectly into a rectangular-shaped basket. Plus, you get a whopping 100 liners with every set. Disposable Paper Liners, $14.99 on Amazon
7. Anodized Aluminum Round Cake Pan, $6.89 on Amazon
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Lynn likes this aluminum cake pan as a Ninja Air Fryer accessory. It fits air fryers up to 10 quarts large and is made from anodized aluminum, which doesn’t peel or rust. Whether you want to whip up deep-dish pizzas or sweet cakes for dessert, this cake pan will help you be successful every time. Anodized Aluminum Round Cake Pan, $6.89 on Amazon
8. Gorilla Grip Stainless Steel Silicone Tongs, $11.99 on Amazon
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Prevent burning yourself after you food is ready (ouch!) by using silicone tongs to take items out of your Ninja Air Fryer. These tongs have scalloped edges and are made of strong stainless steel so they can help you securely grab veggies, meat and more. They also have a slip-resistant handle and ergonomic thumb rest so you can comfortably get the best grip on any food. Gorilla Grip Stainless Steel Silicone Tongs, $11.99 on Amazon
9. Air Fryer Rack, $13.59 on Amazon
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Check out this air fryer rack compatible with the Ninja Dual Air Fryer. It has a multi-layer design, which allows you to save space and cook more food in your air fryer. Try using it to make dehydrated meat (hello, homemade beef jerky!) or dehydrated fruit. It folds up for easy storage and also comes with mini silicone mitts and parchment liners. Air Fryer Rack, $13.59 on Amazon
10. Silicone Pastry Basting Brush, $4.99 on Amazon
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A favorite of Lynn’s, this silicone basting brush lets you brush oils, sauces and marinades onto whatever you put into your Ninja Air Fryer. It’s made from food-grade, nontoxic silicone and works well on lots of different foods, including meat, cakes and breads. Silicone Pastry Basting Brush, $4.99 on Amazon
11. Air Fryer Crisper Plate, $11.99 on Amazon
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Need a replacement crisper plate for your Ninja Air Fryer? This affordable option comes in sizes that fit Ninja Air Fryers from four to 10 quarts large. It’s made from food-grade steel and has a non-stick coating for easy cooking and cleaning. Enjoy your crispiest, crunchiest meals yet! Air Fryer Crisper Plate, $11.99 on Amazon
12. Digital Meat Thermometer, $10.08
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Lynn suggests investing in a digital meat thermometer to use alongside your Ninja Air Fryer so you don’t have to second-guess whether your meat is fully cooked. This waterproof, instant-read thermometer takes temperatures in as little as three seconds and has a large, easy-to-read display. Digital Meat Thermometer, $10.08 on Amazon
13. Silicone Air Fryer Liners, $17.49 on Amazon
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These round silicone air fryer liners fit Ninja models larger than five quarts. They’re reusable, easy to clean and help keep your air fryer free of grease and grime so it stays in the best condition possible for as long as possible. What’s more, the grooved design ensures even air circulation and heat distribution. Silicone Air Fryer Liners, $17.49 on Amazon
14. Silicone Mini Oven Mitts, $7.75 on Amazon
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Once food is done cooking in a Ninja Air Fryer, it will obviously be pretty hot. Protect yourself from getting a burn by wearing silicone mini oven mitts, like these, when you take food out. These little oven mitts fit nicely over fingers and thumbs, with a textured design that allows for a non-slip grip. Silicone Mini Oven Mitts, $7.75 on Amazon
15. Ninja Air Fryer Cookbook with Pictures, $10.99 on Amazon
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Of course, our list of Ninja Air Fryer accessories wouldn’t be complete without a cookbook! Get inspo for breakfast, appetizers, snacks and more with this picture-heavy cookbook that features 1,200 recipes. It’s perfect for air fryer beginners and pros alike. Happy air frying! Ninja Air Fryer Cookbook with Pictures, $10.99 on Amazon
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