Tongs let you turn and lift food in a hot basket without burning your hand. The best tongs for nonstick baskets have silicone or nylon tips that will not scrape the coating, and a locking mechanism makes them easy to store.
The six picks below include silicone and nylon tipped designs in different lengths, so they cover best silicone tongs for air fryer use, short tongs and locking tongs. We have not used these products ourselves, so confirm length, material and heat guidance on the current listing before buying. Heat limits are the makers’ own. Short tongs also suit small kitchens where drawer space is limited. Tongs are one of the cheapest upgrades to an air fryer kitchen, and a good pair saves your fingers and your basket coating. Keep a pair near the air fryer so you are not reaching for a fork that could scratch the basket. If you cook for a crowd, a second pair for raw and cooked food is a simple hygiene habit. Keep a pair near the air fryer so you are not reaching for a fork that could scratch the basket. If you cook for a crowd, a second pair for raw and cooked food is a simple hygiene habit. Look for a design that opens easily with one hand, so you can turn food quickly and close the drawer before heat escapes.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tip material | Silicone and nylon protect nonstick coating |
| Length | Shorter tongs suit small baskets; longer ones keep hands back |
| Locking | A lock keeps tongs compact in a drawer |
| Grip | Rubber or textured handles help when hands are wet |
| Heat guidance | Check the maker’s stated limits |
| Tension | Springs that are too stiff tire your hand; too loose will not grip food |
Specs at a Glance
| Tongs | Tip material | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OXO 9-inch nylon | Nylon | 9 inches | Locking |
| OXO 12-inch silicone | Silicone | 12 inches | Locking |
| KitchenAid | Silicone | Check the current listing | Locking |
| Winco | Stainless steel | Check the current listing | Restaurant supply |
| Rosle Fine Tipped Tongs | Stainless steel | Check the current listing | Needle-nose style |
| Tovolo | Silicone | Check the current listing | Colors vary |
The 6 Best Air Fryer Tongs
1. OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Tongs with Nylon Heads
A well-known tong with nylon heads, a locking mechanism and a soft grip. The shorter body suits smaller baskets.
Suits: small baskets. Strengths: trusted design. Weaknesses: nylon has heat limits. Skip it if you want a longer tool.
View OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Tongs with Nylon Heads on Amazon
2. OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs with Silicone Heads
A longer tong with silicone heads. The extra length helps when reaching to the back of a deep basket.
Suits: bigger air fryers. Strengths: longer reach. Weaknesses: bulkier to store. Skip it if you have a small drawer.
View OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs with Silicone Heads on Amazon
3. KitchenAid Gourmet Tongs
A tong from the KitchenAid kitchen tools line with silicone tips. It follows a standard spring-loaded design.
Suits: general use. Strengths: brand recognition. Weaknesses: models differ, so match the listing. Skip it if you want exact sizes.
View KitchenAid Gourmet Tongs on Amazon
4. Winco Stainless Steel Utility Tongs
A restaurant supply tong made of stainless steel. It is sturdy, but metal tips can scratch coatings, so use it with care.
Suits: sturdy general use. Strengths: durable. Weaknesses: may scratch nonstick. Skip it if your basket is coated.
View Winco Stainless Steel Utility Tongs on Amazon
5. Rosle Stainless Steel Fine Tipped Cooking Tongs
A stainless steel pair of fine-tipped, needle-nose style cooking tongs from Rosle, a brand known for kitchen tools. Check the listing for length, locking and tip details before using on coatings.
Suits: long-term use and small items. Strengths: premium build and a fine tip for precise gripping. Weaknesses: higher cost, and metal tips can mark coated baskets. Skip it if you are on a tight budget or have a coated basket.
View Rosle Stainless Steel Fine Tipped Cooking Tongs on Amazon
6. Tovolo Silicone Tongs
A silicone tipped tong from a design-focused kitchenware brand, available in several colors.
Suits: coated baskets. Strengths: gentle on coatings. Weaknesses: may be less sturdy than steel. Skip it if you want heavy-duty tongs.
View Tovolo Silicone Tongs on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Wash tongs with warm soapy water.
- Dry them fully before storing.
- Replace tongs with worn silicone.
- Lock tongs closed for storage.
- Check that the lock still works, since a loose lock lets tongs spring open in a drawer.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using metal tips on a nonstick basket.
- Choosing tongs that are too long for the basket.
- Leaving nylon tips on a hot element.
- Ignoring the maker’s heat limits.
- Pulling food out with force and scraping the coating.
Air Fryer Tongs FAQ
Are silicone tongs safe in an air fryer?
Many makers rate silicone for high heat, but check the specific tongs.
Should I choose short tongs?
Short tongs work well in small baskets; long ones suit larger drawers.
Do locking tongs matter?
They help with storage, but are not required.
Can I use metal tongs?
Only if the maker permits, since metal can scratch nonstick coatings.
The Short Version
For small baskets, the OXO 9-inch. For reach, the OXO 12-inch. For a known brand, the KitchenAid. For sturdy steel, the Winco or the Rosle. For colors, the Tovolo.
