With the right accessories, you can transform your air fryer!
It’s safe to say that the Ninja Air Fryer is one of the most popular kitchen gadgets right now. (If you don’t have one yet, trust us, you’re missing out on some crispy goodness!) And while the Ninja Air Fryer is pretty amazing on its own, there are quite a few accessories 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 those accessories to make perfectly crispy vegetables, meats, apps, snacks, and more.
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What is a Ninja Air Fryer?
First, a lesson on air frying: “This cooking method is essentially convection cooking, using a fan to help circulate hot air around the food so that it cooks more evenly compared to a roast that cooks from the bottom up or a roast that cooks from the top down,” he explains Gigi Ashworthallergen-friendly chef, nutritionist and author.
You can basically cook anything in an air fryer (including cake!), says Ashworth. “That being said, in my opinion the best foods to cook in a deep 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 highly rated as one of the best air fryers on the market because they’re insanely reliable and have a variety of models to suit everyone’s needs,” says Ashworth.
Ninja offers several different sizes of fryers, including a 5.5-liter fryer that can also roast, dehydrate and reheat food, Ashworth says. They also sell a 10-gallon dual-air fryer (part of the Ninja Foodi line) that can fry two chickens at once because it has two buckets, Ashworth says.
“The coolest part about their two-bucket model, though, is that one of the buckets can be set to air fry, while the other can be set to broil or broil,” she adds.
The bottom line: “Because Ninja offers so many varieties of air fryers, they really are at the cutting edge when it comes to wanting to cook a lot of delicious food quickly and for a lot of people,” says Ashworth.
What you need to know about Ninja air fryer accessories
Want to know what Ninja Air Fryer accessories are for and what are the most popular Ninja Air Fryer accessories? We’ve got answers to your most frequently asked questions so you can shop with ease.
Need Ninja Air Fryer Accessories?
No, technically you don’t must Ninja Air Fryer Accessories. “You can use it completely on its own,” he says Samantha Lynnowner of Everyday Family Cooking.
However, some accessories can make cleaning up after cooking easier. For example, “I like to use just the basket with my air fryer, but I highly recommend parchment paper if you need something inexpensive to help with cleanup,” Lynn says.
Ashworth adds that while accessories aren’t necessary to achieve perfectly fried foods, they can also be good to have on hand to prevent burning or further enhance the flavor and texture of the food you’re air-frying.
Plus, “using an accessory allows you to be more creative with the air fryer,” Lynn says. “You allow yourself to start baking in it using a cake pan or using silicone muffin liners.”
What are some air fryer accessories?
There are so many accessories you can use with the Ninja Air Fryer. “You can use anything from glassware to cake pans to silicone mats and more,” says Lynn. “Basically, if you can use it in an oven, it’s safe to use in a deep fryer.”
Lynn says she’s used silicone and parchment liners, silicone baskets, racks, cake pans, glassware, and more in her air fryer.
What is the multi-layer tray used on the Ninja Air Fryer?
Have you ever wondered what this multi-layer rack accessory is for the Ninja Air Fryer? Let Lynn explain: “When you’re cooking in a deep fryer, most foods should be cooked in one layer,” she says. “The multi-layer trunk allows you to have two layers.”
Lynn notes that it’s very important to reposition food mid-cooking for evenly cooked food if you’re using a multi-layer grill. “It’s also good to note that food on the top shelf can brown faster than food on the bottom shelf because it’s closer to the heating coil and fan,” she adds.
How do you use Ninja Air Fryer accessories?
How you use the Ninja Air Fryer accessories really depends on which accessory you use, he says Thomas creaturesair fryer expert at Fryer Consumer.
“But rule number one is: don’t preheat a fryer with just parchment paper in it,” he explains. “It can move around touching the heating element and burn your fryer.”
15 Best Ninja Air Fryer Accessories
Amazon
“My favorite accessory would of course be a silicone insert because I like easy cleaning,” says Ashworth. If you’re looking for accessories for a Ninja double fryer, this silicone insert is just the ticket. This non-stick air fryer basket is made of food-grade silicone, withstands high temperatures and helps prevent food from soaking in oil. Silicone Air Fryer Pan$12.99 on Amazon

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These reusable air fryer liners are a Lynn’s favorite. Made of silicone, they prevent food from sticking, making cleanup much easier. They fit 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

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Another Lynn favorite, this reusable oil spray is a must for perfectly coating the foods you place 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 elegant on your kitchen counter to boot. Reusable oil sprayer$20.51 on Amazon

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These heat-resistant silicone cups will help you master food preparation like a pro. You can use them in your Ninja Air Fryer to make everything from muffins to egg nogs so you have breakfast on hand all week long. They have easy lift pins so getting food out of them is easy. OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups$11.99 on Amazon

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This accessory kit comes with almost everything you would want to use with your Ninja Air Fryer. Compatible with the 5.5L Ninja Air Fryer, this set includes 12 accessories, including an egg mold, pizza pan, silicone mat and bread rack. Air Fryer Accessory Kit, $32.99 at Amazon

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These disposable paper liners for the Ninja Double Air Fryer are made of food-grade parchment and are waterproof, oil-proof and non-stick. They can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and fit perfectly in a rectangular basket. You also get a whopping 100 liners with each set. Disposable paper pads$14.99 on Amazon

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Lynn likes this aluminum cake pan as an accessory for the Ninja Air Fryer. It fits air fryers up to 10 liters in volume and is made of anodized aluminum that won’t peel or rust. Whether you want to make deep pizzas or sweet cakes for dessert, this cake pan will help you succeed every time. Round cake pan made of anodized aluminum$6.89 on Amazon

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Avoid burning yourself after your food is done (ouch!) by using silicone tongs to remove items from your Ninja Air Fryer. These tongs have raised edges and are made of strong stainless steel, so they can help you safely pick up vegetables, meat and more. They also have a non-slip handle and an ergonomic thumb rest so you can comfortably grip any food. Stainless steel Gorilla Grip silicone clips$11.99 on Amazon

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Check out this air fryer stand compatible with the Ninja Dual Air Fryer. It has a multi-layer design that allows you to save space and cook more food in your fryer. Try using it to make dehydrated meat (hello, homemade beef jerky!) or dehydrated fruit. It folds up for easy storage and comes with small silicone gloves and parchment pads. Air fryer stand$13.59 on Amazon

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A Lynn favorite, this silicone basting brush lets you spread oils, sauces, and marinades on anything you put in your Ninja Air Fryer. It is made of food-grade, non-toxic silicone and works well with many different foods, including meat, pastries and bread. Silicone pastry brush$4.99 on Amazon

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Need a replacement plate for your Ninja Air Fryer? This affordable option comes in sizes to fit Ninja air fryers from four to 10 litres. It is made of food-grade steel and has a non-stick coating for easy cooking and cleaning. Enjoy your crispiest, crunchiest meals ever! Crisper Plate Air Fryer$11.99 on Amazon

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Lynn suggests investing in a digital meat thermometer to use with your Ninja Air Fryer so you don’t have to guess whether your meat is fully cooked. This waterproof instant-read thermometer reads temperatures in just three seconds and has a large, easy-to-read display. Digital meat thermometer$10.08 on Amazon

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These round silicone fryer liners fit Ninja models larger than five quarts. They are reusable, easy to clean and help keep your air fryer free of grease and grime so it stays in the best possible condition for as long as possible. What’s more, the channel design ensures even air circulation and heat distribution. Silicone liners for air fryers$17.49 on Amazon

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After the food has finished cooking in the Ninja Air Fryer, it will obviously be quite hot. Protect yourself from burns by wearing silicone mini cooking gloves like these when removing food. These little cooking gloves fit snugly over fingers and thumbs, with a textured design that allows for a non-slip grip. Silicone mini oven mitts$7.75 on Amazon

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Of course, our list of Ninja Air Fryer accessories wouldn’t be complete without a cookbook! Get information on breakfast, appetizers, snacks and more with this photo-rich cookbook that contains 1,200 recipes. It is perfect for both beginners and professional fryers. Happy air frying! Ninja Air Fryer Cookbook with Pictures$10.99 on Amazon