Air Fryer Cooking Racks
Best Air Fryer Cooking Racks for Extra Layers and Capacity
7 picks compared
9 min read
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The short answerFor most people the GQZ Air Fryer Rack XL is the standout pick, because its two stackable racks and skewer attachment are built to add a real second cooking layer in a roomy basket. If you just want a simple raised layer in a popular basket brand, the BYKITCHEN 8 Inch Square rack is the easy value choice for Cosori, Ninja, and Gourmia models, while round basket owners should look at the P&P CHEF 7.5 Inch round pack. For dehydrating, the 9.37 inch fine-grid rack keeps small foods from falling through, and oven-style fryers are better served by the wider P&P CHEF 11.8 inch set. Whatever you choose, measure your basket or tray first, because the rack must fit your air fryer model and size.
?How we pickedWe compare published specifications, safety certifications and thousands of verified owner reviews, and we do not physically test every unit. Read the full process in our review methodology.
GQZ Air Fryer Rack XL Double Layer Set of 2 with Skewer
★★★★★ 4.6 / 5 Best overall
This is the pick built specifically to add a second cooking layer, with two stackable metal racks that lift a batch of food above the basket so hot air can reach more of it at once. The included skewer attachment also turns the top layer into a kebab or vegetable station, which is why it earns the top spot for capacity.
Type Stackable layer rackMaterial Coated metalPieces 2 racks plus skewerFit Larger basket fryers
- Adds a genuine second layer for more food
- Skewer attachment doubles the use
- Two racks stack for flexible height
- Needs the headroom of a larger basket
- Coated metal wants gentle cleaning
Best for: adding a real second layer and skewers in a roomy basket
BYKITCHEN 8 Inch Square Air Fryer Rack
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Best value
A simple raised square rack sized to drop into many popular basket fryers, including Cosori, Ninja, and Gourmia models, so a second tray of food can cook above the basket floor. It is the easy, no-fuss way to nearly double what one basket holds without buying a whole accessory kit.
Type Raised single-layer rackMaterial Stainless steelPieces 1 rackFit 8 inch square baskets
- Sized for many common basket brands
- Simple raised design adds a layer fast
- Stainless build wipes clean easily
- Only fits baskets near 8 inches square
- Adds one layer, not multiple
Best for: an easy raised layer in Cosori, Ninja, or Gourmia baskets
E-far 7.73 Inch Square Air Fryer Racks
★★★★★ 4.4 / 5 Best for small baskets
These slightly smaller square racks suit compact baskets and oven-style trays where an 8 inch rack would not sit flat. The lower profile makes them a good match for tighter fryers that still have a little headroom for a second tray.
Type Raised single-layer rackMaterial Stainless steelPieces Rack setFit Compact square baskets
- Smaller footprint fits tight baskets
- Works in ovens and toaster ovens too
- Stainless steel is easy to rinse
- Too small for large 8 inch baskets
- Low profile limits tall food underneath
Best for: compact baskets and toaster ovens that need a shorter rack
P&P CHEF 7.5 Inch Round Cooking Racks, 2 Pack
★★★★★ 4.4 / 5 Best for round baskets
A pair of round racks that fit round basket fryers and also handle steaming and cooling duties away from the appliance. Two in the pack means you can raise one batch while the second rack cools finished food on the counter.
Type Round raised rackMaterial Stainless steelPieces 2 racksFit Round baskets near 7.5 in
- Round shape matches round baskets
- Two racks cover cooking and cooling
- Also useful for steaming and baking
- Round shape wastes space in square baskets
- Single tier per rack
Best for: round basket fryers plus steaming and cooling on the side
9.37 Inch Stainless Steel Square Dehydrator Rack
★★★★★ 4.3 / 5 Best for dehydrating
A larger square stainless rack with a fine grid aimed at dehydrating jerky, fruit, and herbs as well as adding a cooking layer in bigger fryers. The tighter mesh keeps small pieces from falling through, which matters most for drying work.
Type Fine-grid dehydrate rackMaterial Stainless steelPieces 1 rackFit Large baskets near 9.4 in
- Fine grid suits dehydrating and small foods
- All stainless build resists rust
- Large size adds real capacity
- Needs a large basket to fit
- Fine mesh takes more scrubbing
Best for: dehydrating and drying in a larger air fryer basket
P&P CHEF 11.8 Inch Air Fryer Basket for Oven, 3 Pieces
★★★★★ 4.3 / 5 Best for oven-style
This three piece set pairs a large crisper basket with a rack and tray for oven-style air fryers and full-size ovens rather than small baskets. The wide surface gives you room to spread food in a single layer or stack the rack above the tray for two levels.
Type Basket, rack, and trayMaterial Stainless steelPieces 3 piecesFit Oven-style air fryers
- Large surface for oven-style fryers
- Rack and tray combine for two levels
- Crisper basket suits fries and wings
- Far too big for small baskets
- Bulky to store between uses
Best for: oven-style air fryers and full-size ovens that need width
DONGULI Air Fryer Basket and Sheet Pan with Wire Rack, 2 Pack
★★★★★ 4.2 / 5 Best sheet pan combo
This set gives you a sheet pan with a lift-off wire rack, so drippings fall to the pan while food crisps on the raised grid above. It is aimed at oven-style air fryers and ovens where a flat tray plus rack replaces a small basket.
Type Sheet pan plus wire rackMaterial Stainless steelPieces 2 setsFit Oven-style trays and ovens
- Rack lifts food so it crisps evenly
- Pan below catches drippings
- Two sets cover bigger batches
- Made for trays, not small baskets
- Takes cabinet space to store
Best for: oven-style trays where a pan and rack beat a basket
An air fryer cooking rack is the simplest way to squeeze more food out of one run: it raises a second batch above the basket so hot air can reach more of it at once. The picks below cover stackable layer racks, raised square and round racks sized for popular baskets, a fine-grid dehydrate rack, and wider trays for oven-style fryers, so you can match one to your machine. Before you buy any of them, measure your basket or tray, because the single most common mistake is choosing a rack that does not fit the air fryer model and size you own.
How a rack adds capacity and cooking layers
Most baskets waste the space above the food, and a rack turns that empty air into a second cooking level. By lifting a batch off the basket floor, a rack lets hot air flow underneath so the food crisps instead of steaming, and a stackable set like the GQZ double layer rack can nearly double what a single basket holds. The trade-off is airflow: pile the layers too full and the top shades the bottom, so leave space between pieces and rotate part way through for even results.
Basket versus oven-style air fryer fit and sizing
The biggest fit question is what kind of air fryer you own. Compact and mid-size basket fryers take small raised racks, square ones near 7.5 to 8 inches for models like Cosori, Ninja, and Gourmia, or round racks for round baskets, and you should measure the inside of your basket first. Oven-style air fryers, toaster ovens, and full-size ovens use wider trays, sheet pans, and larger racks such as the 11.8 inch P&P CHEF set, so a basket rack will not fit them and an oven tray will not fit a basket. Always match the rack to your exact model and size rather than assuming.
Stainless racks, skewers, and dehydrating uses
Material and design decide how far a rack goes beyond simple stacking. Stainless steel is the safe default because it shrugs off high heat, resists rust, and rinses clean, which is why most of our picks use it. Some racks add a skewer attachment for kebabs and vegetables, while a fine-grid rack like the 9.37 inch dehydrator model keeps small pieces from falling through so you can dry jerky, fruit, and herbs. Think about the jobs you actually do, since a skewer set and a dehydrate rack solve very different problems.
Cleaning and keeping racks in good shape
Racks collect grease fast, so the easiest routine is to let them cool, soak them in warm soapy water, and lift the residue with a soft brush before it bakes on. Plain stainless racks handle scrubbing well, while coated racks and fine mesh want a gentler touch to protect the surface. Check each listing before trusting the dishwasher, and dry racks fully so they stay ready for the next batch without spotting or rust.
Questions people ask
What does an air fryer cooking rack actually do?
A cooking rack lifts a second batch of food above the basket floor so hot air can circulate around more of it at once. That adds an extra layer of capacity, which lets you cook more in a single run instead of doing back-to-back batches.
Will any rack fit my air fryer?
No, and this is the key thing to check before buying. Racks are sized by shape and inches, so you need to measure the inside of your basket or tray and match a rack to your air fryer model and size, since a rack that is too wide will not sit flat.
What is the difference between a basket and an oven-style air fryer rack?
Basket fryers take small square or round raised racks that drop inside the basket. Oven-style air fryers and toaster ovens use wider trays, sheet pans, and full-size racks that slide onto shelf positions, so the same accessory rarely fits both.
Do cooking racks help food cook more evenly?
Raising food off the basket floor lets air reach the underside, which helps it crisp instead of steaming against a solid surface. For best results, still leave space between pieces and shake or rotate part way through rather than overloading the layers.
Are stainless steel racks better than coated ones?
Stainless steel resists rust, handles high heat, and is easy to rinse, which is why most of our picks use it. Coated racks can be fine but need gentler cleaning to protect the coating, so many people prefer plain stainless for long-term use.
Can I use an air fryer rack to dehydrate food?
Yes, a rack with a fine grid works well for drying jerky, fruit, and herbs because the tight mesh keeps small pieces from falling through. Pair it with your air fryer low heat or dehydrate setting and give the food room to dry evenly.
How do I clean an air fryer rack?
Let the rack cool, then soak it in warm soapy water to loosen grease before scrubbing with a soft brush. Fine mesh and coated racks need a gentler touch, and you should check the listing before putting any rack in the dishwasher.
How did we choose the racks in this guide?
We compared shape, size, material, number of pieces, and the kind of air fryer each rack is built for, then matched them to real needs like adding a layer, dehydrating, and oven-style trays. Every product shown is a real listing and these are our chosen picks, not lab-tested claims.
The bottom lineSo which one?
The GQZ Air Fryer Rack XL is our top choice for genuinely adding a second cooking layer, with the BYKITCHEN 8 Inch Square rack close behind as the simple value pick for popular baskets. Round baskets, dehydrating, and oven-style fryers each have a better-matched option above, so let the shape and size of your own air fryer lead the decision and confirm the rack fits before you buy.
