Viral TikTok videos and cases of 'Teflon flu' have sparked concern over whether air fryers are toxic. When we consulted experts, their responses were very reassuring. Pam Hartnett, Public Health Expert, says 'Air fryers that are used correctly won't be toxic, but you can take measures that will mitigate most of your concerns.'
You see, many air fryers contain non-stick coatings like Teflon, which make them wonderfully easy to clean. However, these materials can contain 'forever chemicals' like PTFE, PFOA, PFOS, and BPA. While non-stick materials are generally safe when used properly and gently cleaned, they pose a risk if the coating becomes scratched or damaged. In such cases, tiny particles from the coating could be ingested, which can be damaging to your health.
To eliminate any cause for concern, medical experts advise choosing toxin-free cookware with stainless steel racks or ceramic coatings instead.
Luckily, lots of our favorite models from Ninja, Instant, and KitchenAid are already non-toxic. Out of fifty competitors, the stainless steel air fryer by Instant Pot took the top spot. It makes the crispest fries, has many functions, and is easy to clean. That's not your only option though; there are small, ceramic-coated air fryers and larger toaster ovens, too.
If you're ready for a total kitchen refresh, I've also looked into the best non-toxic small appliances (like frying pans, kettles and bakeware) and non-toxic coffee makers.
Holiday deals on the best non-toxic air fryers
Black Friday might be over, but some deals are still rolling. If you're keen to refresh your appliances, there's no time like the present. Here are my top non-toxic air fryer deals on tried and tested items below.
Best non-toxic air fryers 2024
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The Quick List
If you want to take a quick look at some of the best non-toxic air fryers, here are the headlines. We've got more detailed information further down the page.
A winner for healthy weeknight dinners. The stainless steel interiors can air fry, slow-cook, and pressure-cook quick curries and risotto. A fantastic choice for families and foodies.
Ninja's non-toxic air fryer could replace your oven. The ceramic-coated basket creates the crispiest French fries. Plus, it can toast, bake, roast, steam, and more.
Ninja has lined their smaller, more basic model with a durable ceramic coating as well. Ideal for speedy side dishes, snacks, or two portions of protein, it’s impressively fast and compact. It's even available in a mini size, too.
If you're new to air frying, the presets on the Paris Rhône take out all the guesswork. We love the viewing window, roast chicken function, and the ceramic coating, of course.
This large, countertop oven has capacity for tons of fries, chicken, reheated pizza, vegetables – you name it. The stainless steel rack is spacious and non-toxic.
Our Place's air fryer is compact and cute. Perfect for people in city kitchens who want to air fry, roast, and bake on high-quality steel. It comes in a range of chic neutral and bright colors.
Are Air Fryers Toxic?
When we covered 'are air fryers toxic?' we found that air fryers can be toxic in certain limited situations. Medical experts suggest that there are two main ways in which air fryers could be potentially harmful.
The first is that we might ingest some of the non-stick coating. Air fryers that use materials like Teflon have chemicals that can be associated with health risks. However, public health experts like Pam Hartnett say that you can only be exposed to these chemicals if your air fryer is damaged. This can happen over time and is often caused by cleaning or scratching with metal utensils. It's preferable to choose an air fryer made without non-stick chemicals, such as ceramic or stainless steel.
The other risk is how hot they get. This is not exclusive to air fryers, but heating starchy foods to high temperatures can cause potentially carcinogenic chemicals to form. That's why almost all air fryers have Prop 65 warnings in California. However, this doesn't mean they're toxic. These chemicals, acrylamides, are a risk whenever you fry or toast above 338°F. That's pretty much any time you fry or toast anything. Foods at risk on the Prop 65 list include everything from potato chips to coffee and even toast. While the industrial use of acrylamides has been shown to be carcinogenic, the tiny amount of naturally occurring acrylamides in air-fried food has not been conclusively linked to cancer.
In short, air fryers can be toxic in certain limited situations, but it's rare. To be on the safer side, I recommend choosing a stainless steel or ceramic-coated air fryer with a window, so you can keep an eye on your food and make sure it isn't getting burnt to a crisp.
Pam Hartnett MPH, RDN, owns The Vitality Dieticians. She is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist with a Masters in Public Health and a Certificate in Functional Nutrition. She has years of experience teaching nutrition, providing nutrition counseling, and implementing large-scale public health interventions to improve disease outcomes. She has contributed to US News Health Magazine, Forbes, Eating Well, and SHEFinds.
Best stainless steel non-toxic air fryer
This is our number one best Instant Pot, but its excellent air fryer mode propels it into first place as our best non-toxic air fryer. With safe stainless steel materials, EvenCrisp technology and versatile settings, it helped our expert, Helen McCue, to create one of the best mac 'n' cheeses she’s ever cooked.
With 13 different types of cooking, like roasting, pressure cooking, slow-cooking and rehydrating, it goes far beyond just air frying. It's ideal for weeknight meals – you can have a healthy dish on the table in as little as ten minutes As a one-pot option, the cleaning up is minimal too.
We love stainless steel as a quality alternative to non-stick coatings, but it does need some unique care. The best way to clean the stainless steel is to leave the pot to soak and soften for a little. It's easy, but if you're used to dishwasher-safe air fryers, this could be annoying.
If you want versatility for families meals, this is the one. If you just want to quickly bake some tater tots for a midnight snack, you probably need something less complicated, like the Ninja Max XL.
You can read more in our full review of the Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid.
Best ceramic non-toxic air fryer
Known for making the best air fryers on the market, this Ninja model stands out as one of the best non-toxic options – appealing to health-conscious cooks for a couple of important reasons.
The Ninja Combi’s baskets and trays are made from aluminum and coated in non-stick enamel and ceramic (considered safer, non-toxic alternatives to non-stick coatings like Teflon). For anyone looking to minimize exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in cookware, options like this are ideal.
The Combi is also impressively versatile, making it a smart choice for the cost. At $179, the Ninja Combi offers enormous capacity and twelve different cooking functions – from roasting to air frying. It heats up quickly and consistently produces perfectly crisped foods, from homemade fries to roasted vegetables. I love the glass window, which lets you keep an eye on your food as it cooks, reducing the risk of potentially toxic, burnt food. A stroke of genius, really.
That said, Ninja’s presets may require a little tweaking to avoid overcooking in the first place. But for anyone who wants an air fryer that prioritizes healthy food, versatility and convenience, the Ninja Combi is a worthwhile investment.
You can read more in our full review of the Ninja Combi Multicooker
