Quick Answer
The best air fryer rack for most people is a stainless steel double-layer rack with skewers, which adds a second cooking tier and can roughly double how much food you fit in one batch. If you own a basket fryer from a major brand, a matched accessory set like the COSORI 5-Piece Air Fryer Accessories Set guarantees fit and throws in a metal holder, skewer rack, and pans. Before buying, measure your basket: 7–8 inch racks fit most 3.5–5.8-quart fryers, and 8.5–9 inch racks fit 6-quart and larger models. Choose food-grade 304 stainless steel — it has no non-stick coating to chip and is rated well above the 400–450°F that air fryers reach.
An air fryer rack is the single cheapest upgrade you can make to your air fryer. For under $15 it adds a second (or third) cooking layer, lets you skewer kebabs and shrimp, and stops food from sitting in a single crowded pile — which is the number-one reason home cooks complain their food comes out soggy instead of crisp. If you find yourself cooking in two or three batches just to feed the family, a rack often fixes that in one.
The catch is fit. "Air fryer rack" covers everything from universal stackable wire racks to brand-specific accessory kits and dedicated skewer stands, and the wrong size either won't drop into your basket or will choke off airflow. Below we break down the seven best air fryer racks for 2026 across those styles, and explain exactly how to match one to your machine. For the full picture of useful add-ons, see our guide to air fryer accessories.
Quick Comparison: Best Air Fryer Racks
| Rack | Type | Material | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COSORI 5-Piece Air Fryer Accessories Set | Brand set + metal holder | Stainless / non-stick | Best overall (COSORI/5.8qt+) | $22–30 |
| Double-Layer Rack with 4 Skewers (universal 7.5–8") | Two-tier stackable | 304 stainless steel | Best value | $10–15 |
| Ninja Foodi Reversible Rack / Multi-Layer Rack | Brand multi-position rack | Stainless steel | Best for Ninja Foodi | $18–28 |
| 3-Tier Stackable Dehydrating Rack | Three-tier | 304 stainless steel | Best for max capacity | $15–22 |
| Stainless Steel Skewer Rack Stand (8 pins) | Skewer / kebab rack | 304 stainless steel | Best for kebabs & shrimp | $10–16 |
| Instant Vortex Plus Oven Drip / Wire Rack | Oven-style flat rack | Stainless steel | Best for oven-style fryers | $14–20 |
| Elevated Crisper Rack / Grill Pan Insert (8.5") | Raised single rack | 304 stainless steel | Best for airflow & crisping | $9–14 |
Top 7 Best Air Fryer Racks
1. COSORI 5-Piece Air Fryer Accessories Set — Best Overall
If you own a COSORI or any 5.8-quart-or-larger basket fryer, COSORI's own accessory set is the easiest way to get a guaranteed-fit rack plus everything else you'll use. The kit centers on a metal holder/rack that creates a second cooking layer, and adds a skewer rack, a cake pan, a pizza pan, and a silicone mat. Because COSORI designs the set around its 5.8-quart and larger baskets, you don't have to gamble on diameter — it drops straight in.
It's pricier than a bare wire rack, but you're buying a coordinated kit rather than a single piece, and the metal holder alone solves the "I need a second layer" problem. For most air fryer owners, it's the best starting point.
Pros: Guaranteed fit on 5.8qt+ baskets, includes rack + skewers + pans, coordinated kit
Cons: More than a single rack, sized for larger baskets
Best For: COSORI owners and anyone wanting a complete accessory kit
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2. Double-Layer Rack with 4 Skewers — Best Value
This is the rack we recommend to most people: a simple two-tier stainless steel stand with a set of four skewers that costs around $12 and works in almost any 4–5.8-quart basket. The lower frame sits on the basket floor and the upper grid gives you a whole second level, so you can crisp a layer of wings or bacon below and vegetables above — roughly doubling what you cook per batch.
The included skewers slide through the frame for kebabs, shrimp, or paneer. Look for a 7.5–8 inch version for standard baskets; it's the highest-value upgrade on this list and the one most owners actually need.
Pros: Cheap, adds a full second layer, includes skewers, fits most baskets
Cons: Universal fit means you must measure, basic finish
Best For: Anyone who cooks in batches and wants more capacity cheaply
3. Ninja Foodi Reversible / Multi-Layer Rack — Best for Ninja Foodi
Ninja Foodi pressure-cooker and oven models use a brand-specific rack that often ships in two height positions or as a reversible insert, letting you steam below and crisp above, or stack two layers of food. Because Ninja's baskets and inner pots aren't the same round shape as a standard basket fryer, a Ninja-matched rack is the safe bet for those machines.
If you own a Ninja Foodi multi-cooker or air fryer oven, buy the rack made for your model number rather than a universal one — the fit and the steam/crisp positioning are designed around it.
Pros: Designed for Ninja Foodi geometry, multi-position, steam + crisp
Cons: Model-specific, not universal
Best For: Ninja Foodi multi-cooker and oven owners
4. 3-Tier Stackable Dehydrating Rack — Best for Max Capacity
When you want the most food in one go — big batches of cookies, jerky, or veggie chips — a three-tier stainless rack triples your layers. Each tier lifts food into its own band of circulating air, and the open wire design is ideal for dehydrating and for crisping large quantities at lower temperatures.
You'll need a taller basket or an air fryer oven for three full tiers, and you should rotate the trays partway through so the top and bottom brown evenly. For meal-preppers and anyone who dehydrates, the extra capacity is worth it.
Pros: Triple capacity, great for dehydrating and big batches, all stainless
Cons: Needs a tall basket/oven, requires rotating trays
Best For: Meal prep, dehydrating, and large families
5. Stainless Steel Skewer Rack Stand — Best for Kebabs & Shrimp
A dedicated skewer rack holds several pins upright (or angled) over a base so kebabs, shrimp, satay, and paneer cook evenly on all sides without touching the basket. It's a niche tool, but if you grill a lot of skewered food it beats laying kebabs flat, and it doubles as a stand for cooking foods that should drip.
Most 8-pin stands fit 5-quart-and-larger baskets. Pair it with the double-layer rack above and you've covered both extra capacity and skewers without buying a full kit.
Pros: Even cooking on all sides, frees up basket floor, cheap
Cons: Single purpose, needs a larger basket
Best For: Kebab, shrimp, and satay lovers
6. Instant Vortex Plus Oven Wire Rack — Best for Oven-Style Fryers
Air fryer ovens and toaster-oven-style fryers (like the Instant Vortex Plus oven or a Ninja oven) use flat slide-in wire racks rather than round basket racks. A matching replacement or second flat rack lets you run two or three shelves at once, turning the oven into a true multi-layer cooker.
Buy the rack sized to your oven's interior width and rail spacing; a second rack is the cheapest way to use the full height of an air fryer oven. If you're shopping the machines themselves, see our best air fryer oven guide.
Pros: Uses full oven height, run multiple shelves, easy slide-in
Cons: Only for oven-style units, must match interior size
Best For: Air fryer oven and toaster-oven fryer owners
7. Elevated Crisper Rack / Grill Pan Insert — Best for Airflow & Crisping
A single raised crisper rack lifts food off the basket floor so hot air reaches the underside, which is exactly how you avoid the soggy bottoms that come from food sitting in rendered fat. It's the simplest upgrade here — a low stainless grid you drop in — and it makes a real difference for bacon, wings, and anything that drips.
At 8.5 inches it fits most 5–6-quart baskets; for smaller fryers choose a 7-inch version. If your food crisps on top but stays pale underneath, this single rack is the fix.
Pros: Improves airflow and bottom crisping, very cheap, easy to clean
Cons: Single layer only, must match basket size
Best For: Better crisping and reducing soggy bottoms
What to Look for in an Air Fryer Rack
Fit and Size
Fit matters more than anything else. Measure the inside of your basket at its widest point and pick a rack about half an inch to an inch smaller so it drops in with clearance for air to move around it. As a guide, 7-inch racks suit 2–3.5-quart mini fryers, 7.5–8 inch racks suit most 4–5.8-quart models, and 8.5–9 inch racks suit 6-quart and larger fryers. Dual-basket fryers usually need two smaller racks, one per drawer.
Material
Choose food-grade 304 (18/8) stainless steel. It's corrosion-resistant, has no PTFE/PFOA non-stick coating to chip into your food, and is rated far above the 400–450°F air fryers reach. Coated or chrome-plated racks are cheaper but can flake over time; stainless is the buy-once option and is dishwasher-safe.
Layers and Airflow
The reason to add a rack is usually capacity, so decide how many tiers you need: a double-layer rack roughly doubles your cooking surface, while a three-tier rack triples it. Whatever you choose, don't overcrowd — air fryers crisp by circulating hot air, so each layer needs space, and you should rotate or swap tiers halfway through so the top and bottom cook evenly.
Are Air Fryer Racks Worth It?
For most owners, yes — a rack is a sub-$15 fix for the two most common air fryer frustrations: not enough capacity and food that won't crisp on the bottom. A second tier lets you cook a main and a side together or feed more people without a second batch, and an elevated rack lifts food out of its own grease so air reaches every side. The one rule is fit: a rack that's too big won't sit flat and one that's too tight will block airflow, so measure first. If you're still choosing between machines, a model that already ships with racks can save you the add-on — see our roundup of the best air fryers with racks, and for non-stick basket protection compare it with reusable air fryer liners. For exact temperatures on every food, keep our air fryer cooking time chart handy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best air fryer rack?
The best air fryer rack for most people is a stainless steel double-layer (multi-layer) rack with skewers, which adds a second cooking tier so you can cook two foods at once and can roughly double your usable cooking surface. If you own a COSORI, Ninja, or Instant basket fryer, a brand-matched accessory set such as the COSORI 5-Piece Air Fryer Accessories Set guarantees fit and adds a metal holder, skewer rack, and pans. Measure your basket first: 7–8 inch racks fit most 3.5–5.8-quart fryers, while 8.5–9 inch racks fit 6-quart and larger models.
Do air fryer racks really increase capacity?
Yes. A multi-layer rack adds a raised second tier above the basket floor, giving you a whole extra level for food. Because air fryers cook with circulating hot air, that second tier still crisps as long as you do not overcrowd it, so a double-layer rack can roughly double how much you fit in one batch — for example a second row of chicken wings, bacon, or vegetables. This is the cheapest way to cut down on cooking in multiple batches.
What size air fryer rack do I need?
Measure the inside diameter or width of your basket at its widest point, then choose a rack about half an inch to an inch smaller so it drops in with room for airflow. As a rule of thumb, 7-inch racks suit 2–3.5-quart mini fryers, 7.5–8 inch racks suit most 4–5.8-quart models, and 8.5–9 inch racks suit 6-quart and larger fryers. Dual-basket fryers usually need two smaller racks, one per drawer.
Are stainless steel air fryer racks safe?
Yes. Food-grade 304 (18/8) stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, contains no PTFE or PFOA non-stick coating, and is rated well above air fryer temperatures, which top out around 400–450°F. It is the safest and most durable rack material, it is dishwasher-safe, and unlike coated racks it will not chip or peel over time. Always leave space around the rack so hot air can circulate.
Can you stack food on an air fryer rack?
You can layer food on separate tiers of a rack, but you should not pile food on top of itself. Air fryers crisp food by surrounding it with moving hot air, so each piece needs some exposed surface. A two- or three-tier rack works because each layer sits in its own airflow; halfway through cooking, rotate or swap the trays so the top and bottom brown evenly.
Final Recommendation
For most buyers, a stainless steel double-layer rack with skewers is the smart pick: around $12, it adds a full second cooking layer and handles kebabs in one cheap accessory. COSORI and Instant owners who want a guaranteed fit plus pans should grab the COSORI 5-Piece Accessories Set, Ninja Foodi owners should buy the model-matched reversible rack, and heavy meal-preppers should step up to a 3-tier stackable rack. Whatever you choose, measure your basket first and stick to food-grade 304 stainless steel — get the fit right and a rack is the best few dollars you'll spend on your air fryer.