June 2025: I removed the KitchenAid Digital Toaster Oven and replaced it with the Midea French Door Air Fryer we recently tested, which is a better stainless steel option and better value for money at around $169 (compared to KitchenAid's $299). I also updated the pricing in this guide with the latest discounts from early Amazon Prime Day/summer sales.
Air fryers help you enjoy quick, crispy food with less oil – but not all models are created equally when it comes to your health. Non-stick air fryers are especially popular, with slick surfaces that resist grease, earning them a spot among the best air fryers. But if the brand doesn’t explicitly state that they use non-toxic materials for the cooking surface, there could be PFAS (known as 'forever chemicals') lurking in that non-stick coating.
The first thing to note is that, according to the FDA, these chemicals are 'joined together in large molecules and are tightly bound to the cookware, so very little is capable of getting into food.' However, they also acknowledge that exposure to PFAS has been linked to serious health issues, such as 'increased cholesterol, high blood pressure, developmental effects, reduced immune response, and increased cancer risk.' The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified PFOA (a common PFAS chemical) as 'carcinogenic to humans', and a 2023 study by Mount Sinai's Department of Public Health found that elevated PFAS levels in the bloodstream could reduce fertility by up to 40%.
The idea of ingesting these chemicals is understandably concerning. When I consulted Dr. Bruce Jarnot, a board-certified toxicologist with over 30 years of experience in product safety and global materials compliance, he said: 'I’d recommend selecting an air fryer marketed as PFAS Free.'
Over the past year, our team has been testing air fryers with PFAS-free cooking surfaces (glass, ceramic, and stainless steel), as well as keeping track of the latest medical advice on air frying safely. Right now, our top pick is the Ninja Pro Air Fryer, which is easy, quick, and affordable – and Ninja confirms it has a '100% PFAS-free' ceramic-coated surface.
The Quick List
We've tested and reviewed these air fryers, all with PFAS-free cooking surfaces. Here are our top picks at a glance. Below, I’ll dive into each model, our rigorous testing process, and our research.
Simple, effective, and affordable. The Ninja Pro features a ceramic cooking surface that ensures effortlessly crispy, delicious air-fried food. No fuss, no mess.
The PFAS-free Typhur Dome is wide and spacious. It can air fry in record time, as well as grill, toast and bake 12-inch pizzas or entire meals for five people. It is expensive but incredible.
This spacious oven can bake, roast, reheat, or air fry enough for the whole family. We loved the accessible French door design, stainless steel racks, and reasonable price.
The Combi could replace every appliance in your kitchen. You can air fry, bake, roast, steam, proof, slow cook, sous vide, and more on enamel and ceramic surfaces. However, it is pretty big.
Compact and cute, this one's great for small kitchens. We loved the steel racks for air frying and the nonstick ceramic sheets for baking or roasting. The trays can be a bit fiddly, but the window makes it easy to keep an eye on your food and avoid burning.
We didn't rate glass air fryers, until we tested the Ninja Crispi. The glass containers and crisper plate are 100% PFAS-free. It's portable, but expensive and small, so it won't suit everyone.
The research: 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, as board-certified toxicologist Dr. Bruce Jarnot, explains: 'Some air fryers use non-stick food baskets or trays that have PFAS in coatings.' PFAS chemicals are associated with major health risks. When we consulted public health expert, Pam Hartnett, she explained that you can become exposed to these chemicals if the cooking surface is damaged. Pam explains that 'Damaged or overheated non-stick coatings can cause toxins to be released into the air and food.'
A chipped or damaged lining is often caused by metal utensils or harsh sponges. But, air fryer chef, Sam Milner, told us there's another lesser-known culprit. Sam says, 'Light commercial oil sprays often contain an emulsifier called lecithin, which slowly breaks down the coating on your air fryer.'
The other potential risk is overly crispy or burnt food. This risk is not exclusive to air fryers; heating starchy foods to high temperatures by any method can potentially cause toxic chemicals called Acrylamides to form. That's why almost all air fryers have Prop 65 warnings in California.
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 toast.
However, this doesn't mean the food is toxic. 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.
Our experts
Bruce is a board-certified PhD Toxicologist. He works as a materials compliance expert at Assent, where he helps global manufacturers to meet sustainability, product and chemical regulatory requirements. He has worked in toxicology for over 30 years, gaining a broad knowledge of global product compliance (including Proposition 65), FDA and USDA standards. He is also a materials scientist and a diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology, Inc.
Pam Hartnett is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist with a Masters in Public Health. She has years of experience teaching functional 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.
Sam is a kitchen gadget expert and best-selling author of The Complete Air Fryer Cookbook. She has been air frying for over twelve years and has tons of expert tips, from advice on how to clean your air fryer to the air fryer accessories that can add years to the life of your baskets.
Best non-toxic air fryers 2025
Best non-toxic air fryer overall
What makes it non-toxic? When I reached out to Ninja, they confirmed that the Air Fryer Pro has a PFAS-free ceramic-coated crisper plate.
Why we like it: This is the best air fryer I’ve ever tested. It’s one of the more affordable models in Ninja’s lineup, but don’t let that fool you – it’s thoughtfully designed, incredibly easy to use, and delivers crispy results fast. In my tests, I made perfectly golden, crispy fries, and juicy, well-cooked chicken in record time. The food residue rinsed right off with hot, soapy water.
It’s compact (not much taller than my kettle), so it didn't hog counter space. Inside, there's a surprisingly spacious 5-quart basket that can handle up to 4 lbs of food. That's perfect for couples or small families, but if you have more mouths to feed, Ninja also makes an XL 6-quart version (which comes with extra Bake and Max Crisp functions).
What we didn't like: Not much, to be honest. Sure, it doesn’t have any fancy features like grilling, steaming or baking modes. It's not super versatile like the other options on this list. But for everyday air frying, it’s an absolute steal.
Read more: Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 review.
Best large non-toxic air fryer
What makes it non-toxic? The Typhur Dome 2 air fryer uses a PFAS-free ceramic non-stick crisper plate.
What we liked: The performance blew me away. It has 15 modes, including: Air Fry, Toast, Grill, Bake, Griddle, Roast, Broil, Dehydrate, and Reheat. There's no preheating needed to air fry, and results are lightning fast and consistent. This air fryer even syncs up to an app, where you can control the cooking and receive notifications when the food is ready
The low-rise, wide design is very practical. If you’re the kind of cook who loves a speedy traybake, this is made for you. I tossed in four fillets of fish, diced potatoes, and veggies, and it was all ready in 14 minutes. Thanks to the wide basket, everything had space to crisp evenly. There's even enough room to bake a pizza.
What we didn’t like: It's technically dishwasher-safe, though I found the crisper plate much too large for my machine and awkward to wash in a small sink. The basket is similarly wide, so you need some spare counter space. If you don't want to leave an appliance out all the time, you might prefer the smaller Ninja Crispi; powered by a portable air fryer hood, which you can dismantle and hide in a cupboard or pantry.
Finally, it’s undeniably very expensive, but you’re getting a very high-performance appliance that could easily replace an oven, toaster, pizza oven, grill, and it's PFAS-free – and that's worth a lot in my book.
Read more: Typhur Dome 2 Air Fryer review
Best stainless steel non-toxic air fryer
What makes it non-toxic? When I reached out to the Midea brand to ask them about the materials, they confirmed this steel air fryer is free from harmful PFAS-related forever chemicals.
What we liked: This elegant French door air fryer cooks everything from frozen fries to an entire roast chicken. It heats up quickly, is simple to clean, and can easily fit under most kitchen cabinets.
Our kitchen expert, Tobey, has tested dozens of premium appliances, and she loved the Midea Flexify French Door Air Fryer. Tobey says: 'For families or anyone who enjoys cooking for a crowd, this oven is a standout. My teenagers loved the crispy food, and I loved the quality, stainless steel materials. After finally making the switch from a single-function air fryer to one with 10 preset functions, it’s allowed me to save both time and space. This feels priceless, though at just over $150 it won’t break the bank.'
What we didn't like: Tobey says: 'I did notice that, like a grill or a traditional oven, sometimes I did need to move food around from the front to the back to obtain a completely uniform color. Usually, just a quick shake of the basket did the trick.' Also, Tobey reported the toasting function to be a little lacklustre, so don't get rid of your toaster any time soon – or look to the best multifunctional air fryer below, the Ninja Combi, which can toast like a professional.
Read more: Midea Flexify French Door Air Fryer Oven review
Best multifunctional non-toxic air fryer
What makes it non-toxic? Ninja said that the Combi's pan and crisper tray are made from durable aluminum, with a 'non-stick nano ceramic coating that is FDA-approved and food safe.' The bake tray has an enamel coating without non-stick, PTFE and PFOA.
What we liked: We were wowed by the enormous capacity and whopping twelve functions – including slow-cooking, roasting and steaming. Our air fryer expert, Laura Honey, has tested dozens of machines, but this air fryer remained in her house and has pretty much replaced her oven. Laura says, 'The Ninja Combi heats up quickly and consistently creates tasty food, from French fries to tacos and roasted vegetables.'
'Another reason I reach for the Combi so frequently is that it's easy to clean. All the trays and baskets are dishwasher safe, so I just stack them in my dishwasher drawer. The inside of the Combi is also easy to reach into and wipe down when I want a deeper clean.' Finally, both Laura and I are fans of the glass window, which lets you keep an eye on your food as it cooks, reducing the risk of potentially toxic, burnt food.
What we didn't like: The Ninja Combi's presets require a little tweaking to avoid overcooking. We found that it was a little overzealous at times. Another potential downside is the sheer size. The Combi is big on the countertop, which is fine if you use it as often as your normal oven, but if you won't use it much, it might be a little tricky to store.
Read more: Ninja Combi Multicooker review.
Best looking non-toxic air fryer
What makes it non-toxic? The interior is stainless steel, while the air fryer basket is made from chromed steel. The baking tray is coated in ceramic and free from 'forever chemicals' too.
What we liked: The Wonder Oven is a refreshing departure from bulky, gray, and black kitchen appliances. I chose the chic 'Steam' colorway (a neutral beige), and the moment I placed it in my kitchen, I fell in love with its adorable design.
Our small appliances expert, Camryn, and I each tested this air fryer for about six months, using it to cook fries, toast, cheesy stuffed peppers, and even reheat pizza. Camryn said, 'I really liked the steam-baking function for creating light and fluffy food. The accessories aren't dishwasher-safe, but they are fairly easy to clean. There's a crumb tray to catch fallaways, and I lined the tray with parchment paper to help with washing up.'
For me, it’s a fantastic option for small kitchens and single servings. However, when it comes to crispiness and speed, I much prefer the Ninja Pro, even though it's not as pretty. The Wonder Oven took ages to roast my favorite root veg, like parsnips and carrots.
What we didn't like: There are a couple of quirks worth mentioning. The oven racks are a little flimsy and don't lock in place when pulled out, so you’ll need to be careful with heavier ingredients. Also, it's small. You'll struggle to cook portions for more than two people. Finally, it has an old-school analogue timer, which is easy to use but tricky to set precise cooking times. This is an issue when preparing more delicate dishes like fish. However, you can keep an eye on the cooking through the window, which always scores extra points with us.
Read more: Our Place Wonder Oven review.
Best glass
What makes it non-toxic? The Ninja Crispi uses glass containers, foregoing the black plastic basket that most air fryers have. There is a ceramic coating on the crisper plates too; Ninja confirmed in a recent Instagram post that this makes the cooking surface 100% PFAS-free.
What we liked: We loved the glass containers, which allowed us to watch our food crisp up in real-time. With minimal oil and quick cooking times, we made crispy French fries, chicken, and sprouts.
We love the stackable and interchangeable cooking bowls, too – a first for any air fryer we've tested. You can swap between different sizes to suit your meal, whether that's a single portion of lunch or a family-sized batch of fries. This flexibility borrows from Ninja’s best blender / food processor designs, and we found it is very home-cook-friendly. There are even easy-grip handles and lids for taking your meals out, or storing them straight in the fridge in a toxin-free container.
What we didn't like: It is technically portable, but we think it is still a bit hefty for carrying around in a backpack. At almost 16 lbs, it's equivalent to carrying a bowling ball or a large pack of dog food around.
The 4-quart capacity isn’t great for large households and it is also quite pricey at just under $200 – if you’re shopping on a budget, larger air fryers in this guide cost much less. If the glass materials and stackable design aren't a priority for you, the cheaper 5-quart Ninja Air Fryer Pro might be a better option.
Read more: Ninja Crispi review.
Ones that missed the list
We've tested tons of air fryers, looking for non-toxic materials alongside a fantastic cooking performance. The below models hit the brief in terms of materials, but fell just short on tasty food and value for money.
This beautiful oven air fried incredibly tender salmon in the test kitchen. We love it, but it has recently been replaced on our list by the new Typhur Dome 2 air fryers, which is much more spacious, easy to use, and higher tech.
The Fritaire is ostensibly similar to the Ninja Crispi, with glass materials and the delightful ability to watch your food crisp in real-time. However, the poor cooking performance and fiddly accessories left me disappointed. Given the relatively high price point, it feels like an impractical purchase.
The stainless steel interiors on this air fryer can also steam, slow-cook, and pressure-cook. However, we've recently seen customer reviews popping up on Amazon about the machine malfunctioning after a year or so of use. I have asked our tester and home economist, Helen, to re-test and reassure us about its longevity.
New review coming soon
Where to shop non-toxic appliances
When searching for non-toxic kitchen appliances, look for brands that avoid non-stick coatings and prioritize high-quality materials. Think: stainless steel, ceramic, cast iron, and glass. Below, you'll find some reliable options.
- Our Place: I've tested and highly rate their Titanium Always Pans, Our Place Wonder Oven, non-toxic silicone tongs, and wooden spoons. I like the cute designs and appreciate the transparency on their website.
- GreenPan: Specializing in ceramic non-stick griddles, slow-cookers, and pans using a patented non-toxic coating called Thermolon. I'm a huge fan of their Stanley Tucci collection, and I'm trying to get my hands on their new air fryer range soon.
- Le Creuset: Famous for enameled cast iron Dutch ovens and braisers, which are naturally non-toxic and non-stick when used correctly. My parents received a blue Dutch oven as a wedding gift 25 years ago, and it's still used in my family's kitchen. A testament to the quality and longevity.
- Staub: A lesser-known brand that creates enameled cast iron dishes that are safe, durable, and beautiful. I often use their cocottes for baked eggs and single-serve desserts in my air fryer.
What's next
To keep you in the loop, these are the new product launches on our radar and the products we will be testing next. We are dedicated to bringing you the best non-toxic air fryers that are available on the market.
- Our expert tester, Tobey, is currently testing an air fryer from Bella ; an affordable line of non-toxic air fryers made with EverGood™ Ceramic Nonstick Coating.
- Our Place recently launched an XL version of the Wonder Oven. I am in conversation with the brand to test and compare it to the original model I already have in my kitchen.
How we test non-toxic air fryers
French fries cooked in the Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer
We began by consulting medical experts and toxicologists to determine which materials are safest for air fryers. Next, we conducted our market research, analyzing air fryers for their material composition, which often involved reviewing fine print and reaching out to the brands to ensure their food-contact components were free from harmful substances like BPA, PFOA, and PTFE. Once the machines arrived in our test kitchen, we read through their manuals to understand safety guidelines, temperature limits, and maintenance requirements, to make sure they fit in with real-world use.
Next, we focus on exceptional cooking performance. As a team of trained cooks, product testers and appliance experts, we rigorously test each model by air-frying frozen fries, chicken wings, and roasted vegetables. During our taste tests, we seek food that’s perfectly crispy on the outside and tender within. Having tested the market leaders, we’re familiar with the industry benchmarks.
Ease of use is key, so our tests evaluate the intuitiveness of controls, basket design and the accuracy of recipe presets. We also explore special features, like grilling and dehydrating, to assess versatility. While cooking, we make notes on capacity – essential for those looking for family-sized air fryers.
Since cleaning can be a hassle, we check if the removable parts are easy to wash, whether by hand or in the dishwasher. We also examine materials durability, as this is a key criteria for long-lasting, non-toxic items. After testing, we scour the web for the best and worst customer reviews to assess the air fryer's reliability and overall customer satisfaction.
Finally, when you're making a kitchen investment, price really matters, so we weigh up the features and performance to see if it offers good value for money. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure you choose an air fryer that looks stylish in your kitchen, as well as being reliable, efficient, and a joy to use.
FAQs
Is it safe for PFAS to be on the exterior of an air fryer?
According to toxicologist, Bruce Jarnot, it is safe for PFAS to be on the exterior of an air fryer. He says: 'All electrical appliances, including air fryers, will contain PFAS in their electronics to meet safety standards. I would recommend ensuring that the food contact surfaces, such as the food baskets or trays, do not contain PFAS.'
How do I stop my air fryer from being toxic?
Based on medical advice, you can reduce the chance of your air fryer being toxic by never heating it to more than 500°F (luckily, most manufacturers have a max temperature between 400-450°F to prevent the risk).
You should also try not to overcook or overheat starchy foods. They shouldn’t go above a golden yellow.
Never use oil sprays that contain Lecithin, wire sponges, or abrasive metal cooking utensils – they will damage the lining. Opt for gentle cleaning products, soft sponges, wooden and silicone utensils instead.
If your non-stick is damaged, stop using the appliance. Even better, use an air fryer that doesn’t use potentially toxic non-stick chemicals at all (like the options on this list).
If your air fryer is damaged or broken in any way, you should stop using it. If you are concerned about the non-stick chemicals in your air fryer, maintain them as well as possible to avoid the chemicals getting into your food. The best way to know your air fryer is non-toxic is to buy a ceramic, glass or metal-based one
How much should I spend on a non-toxic air fryer?
On average, a good air fryer will cost between $80 and $200. Sometimes, non-toxic air fryers are at the upper end of that scale, simply because they use quality materials and less cheap plastics. If you are paying upwards of $200, you should expect super smart features, good looks, and large capacity.
I do recommend keeping an eye out for the models in this list when Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday roll around. During the big sales seasons, I'll list the best deals at the top of the page for your convenience.
Would a deep fryer be less toxic than an air fryer?
We have compared the deep fryer against an air fryer in our tests. Whilst deep fryers don’t use non-stick, which is one of the main concerns facing air fryers, they do engage with the other concern of overcooking food. They also require more oil to cook your food too.
Why is ceramic good for air fryers?
Ceramic-based air fryers are good because ceramic doesn't have the 'forever chemicals' associated with non-stick air fryers. Ceramic is also much harder to scratch or damage than non-stick materials like Teflon, so it's easier to maintain and will probably last longer. However, this doesn't mean you can neglect it. You should still use gentle sponges and silicone utensils on ceramic surfaces to keep them safe and in good condition.
