With air fryers becoming increasingly popular, many home cooks wonder if they need a special rack or stand to use these appliances safely and effectively. The quick answer is that while a rack is not absolutely necessary, having one provides some useful benefits.
What is an air fryer rack?
An air fryer rack is an accessory designed to go inside the air fryer basket. It elevates foods off the bottom of the basket so air can circulate completely around the food. Racks are made from materials like stainless steel, aluminum, or coated wires. They come in various shapes and sizes to fit different models of air fryers.
Benefits of using an air fryer rack
Here are some of the main benefits of using a rack with your air fryer:
- Allows air to circulate under foods for crispier results – One of the main purposes of a rack is to elevate foods off the basket floor so hot air contacts all surfaces of the food. This helps create crisper outer layers.
- Avoids saturated fats from pooling under foods – Fat and grease can drain off foods more easily when elevated on a rack instead of pooling at the bottom.
- Prevents delicate foods from sticking/burning – Small or delicate foods like fries, nuggets, or fish sticks are less likely to stick to a rack than directly to the metal basket.
- Makes flipping foods easier – A rack makes turning foods halfway through cooking simpler since you can flip the entire rack.
- Lets you cook different foods – Layering a rack over items in the basket enables you to cook two different foods at once.
- Takes up less space than additional baskets – Purchasing extra fryer baskets can take up storage room. A rack provides a secondary cooking surface while taking up minimal space.
When should you use an air fryer rack?
Here are some of the main instances when using a rack would be beneficial:
- Cooking small or thin foods that may stick like french fries, tater tots, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, or vegetables
- Cooking fatty foods like bacon, sausages, or other greasy meats so fat can drip away
- Cooking delicate seafood like shrimp or fish fillets that need air circulation
- Flipping or turning foods halfway through cooking
- Cooking different foods simultaneously by layering the rack over other ingredients
- Reheating leftovers or frozen foods so air reaches all sides
When can you cook without a rack?
While racks provide advantages, you do not necessarily have to use one every time. Here are some instances when cooking foods directly in the basket is fine:
- Cooking large chunks of food or roasts
- Preparing whole chickens or Cornish hens
- Cooking foods you don’t need to flip like vegetables, baked goods, or reheating leftovers
- Cooking only one item or batch of food at a time
- Following recipes that specifically instruct not to use a rack
Are there alternatives to buying a rack?
If you don’t want to purchase a special accessory, there are some alternatives you can try:
- Use a metal cooling rack from your oven – Check sizing, but oven racks often fit
- Try a metal baking sheet flipped upside down
- Use metal skewers or chopsticks under small foods
- Crumple aluminum foil into a “rack”
- Flip foods halfway through cooking
- Insert a metal trivet to elevate foods above the basket floor
What to look for when purchasing a rack
If you decide to buy an air fryer rack, here are some features to look for:
- Correct shape and size – Match the rack dimensions to your specific fryer model
- Sturdy, durable material – Such as stainless steel for lasting performance through high heat
- Raised bars or grid design – To allow optimal airflow around ingredients
- Dishwasher safe – For easy cleaning after each use
- Handles or easy-grip features – To safely remove the hot rack after air frying
- Accessory packs – Some racks come with skewers, tongs, or silicone mats
Top racks to consider buying
Based on popular options, here are some of the best air fryer racks to consider purchasing:
| Brand | Details |
|---|---|
| Chefman | Dishwasher safe multi-purpose fryer rack and pan. Fits various brands. |
| Cuisinart | Stainless steel rack sized for Cuisinart fryers. Raised feet prevent contact with basket. |
| Philips | Official Philips air fryer racks perfectly fit Philips models. |
| Gowiss | Universal expanding rack fits many brands. BPA free. |
Conclusion
While air fryer racks are not essential, they offer useful benefits like better air circulation, easier flipping, and prevention of sticking and grease buildup. Racks provide the best results when cooking small, thin, or delicate ingredients. You can also layer racks over foods to cook two batches at once. Brand-specific racks tailored for your model or universal expandable racks are good options. Consider the size, durability, grip, and dishwasher-safe features when purchasing a rack.