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Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep fryers, helping us make crispy fried food without all the oil and hydrogenated fats … or so we thought. As it turns out, some air fryers use Teflon and other materials that can emit harmful chemicals into our food and the air when cooking. Opting for a non-toxic air fryer without Teflon is a healthier choice for your body and environment.
If you’re eager to fry up crispy french fries, veggies, and other foods without a side of toxic chemicals, read on for our top picks for non-toxic air fryers. But first, a quick word about what materials to look for in a non-toxic air fryer — and what materials to avoid.
What’s a Non-Toxic Air Fryer Made Of?
You’d think that our cookware wouldn’t contain toxic materials, but unfortunately we’re not safe to make that assumption. To avoid harmful chemicals and coatings, opt for an air fryer made from glass, stainless steel, or PFAS-free ceramic.
Glass and stainless steel are durable, easy to clean, and don’t release toxins while cooking. Ceramic-coated air fryers are another popular choice, but you may want to be cautious around “non-stick” ceramics.
Some manufacturers cover ceramic with a nanomaterial non-stick coating. Nanomaterials haven’t been tested enough to know if long-term exposure may have a negative health impact, so it’s probably best to proceed with caution.
Materials to Avoid in Your Air Fryer
When searching for a non-toxic air fryer, avoid materials with non-stick coatings, as these coatings often contain harmful “forever chemicals” called PFAS. PFAS have been linked to various health issues, including cancer.
Here are the main materials you’ll want to avoid:
- Teflon or other non-stick coatings: Teflon may create a non-stick surface, but it can release toxic fumes when heated to high temperatures (which is exactly what happens in an air fryer).
- Aluminum: While aluminum is popular in cookware, some studies suggest that it may leach into food during cooking and potentially cause health problems.
According to scientist Dr. Grace Angelique Magalit, the dangers of toxic materials in your air fryer basket can magnify if it becomes damaged.
“The dangers of air fryers come from the material used in the baskets or pans,” says Magalit. “Once damaged or scratched, they can release perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) compounds which are linked to cancer and reproductive issues. To avoid this, it is very important to choose air fryers which do not contain Teflon. Otherwise, remember to replace it immediately once scratched.”
Air fryers that use high-quality, non-toxic materials can produce delicious and healthy meals without frying up a bunch of harmful chemicals on the side.
9 Best Non-Toxic Air Fryers for Your Kitchen
So, what are the best non-toxic air fryers without Teflon or other harmful materials? Here are our top recommendations for chemical-free cooking.
1. Big Boss Oil-less Air Fryer ($74.63)
As the name suggests, this air fryer is a big one — 16 quarts to be exact, making it a good choice if you’re cooking for the whole family. It has a non-toxic glass basket and a temperature range from 180℉ to 400℉. This air fryer offers adjustable time and temperature and has enough space to cook a whole chicken.
2. Yedi “Tango” Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker ($99.95)
Yedi’s Tango appliance is an air fryer and pressure cooker in one. With this appliance, you can air fry, pressure cook, slow cook, dehydrate, sauté, steam, bake cakes, pasteurize, make yogurt, cook rice, and warm up leftovers — the possibilities are pretty much endless.
The inner cooking pot is made of food grade 304 (18/8) stainless steel, has no chemical coating, and is dishwasher safe. You’ll get a whole bunch of accessories with this non-toxic air fryer, including two egg racks/steaming trivets, a frying basket, ladle, rice paddle, cooking mitts, an extra silicone sealing ring, a stainless steel steaming basket, and a measuring cup.
This air fryer has a capacity of six quarters, but if you’re looking for a larger option, Yedi’s Total Package 18-in-1 Air Fryer Rotisserie Oven is a great non-toxic choice, too!
3. NutriChef Convection Countertop Toaster Oven ($56.80)
This air fryer has an 18-quart capacity and a bunch of cooking options, including cook, bake, grill, steam broil, roast and air-fry. It has adjustable temperature and time settings, as well as rotary controls, two wire cooking racks, and plate tongs to help you prepare and plate your meals.
As with many of the other non-toxic air fryers on this list, this Nutrichef toaster oven uses a glass cooking bowl.
4. NutriChef Air Fryer, Infrared Convection Oven ($59.87)
NutriChef makes the list of best non-toxic air fryers again with its halogen infrared convection oven. This 13.0” x 6.7” oven with a 13-quart glass cooking bowl can defrost, broil, roast, bake, steam, grill, and BBQ your favorite foods.
You can watch your food as it cooks in this 1200-watt convection oven that can heat to anywhere from 149°F to 482°F.
5. Classic Cuisine 12-17 Qt 1200 W Halogen Tabletop Oven ($58.73)
This 1200-watt tabletop oven uses halogen, convection, and infrared technologies to cook meals in less time than conventional ovens. The materials that will touch your food are glass and stainless steel, making this one of the best non-toxic air fryers without Teflon.
It has a 12-quart glass bowl and you can actually watch your food as it’s cooking. Plus, the bowl is dishwasher-safe (score!). There’s also a steam option if you want to steam vegetables.
This tabletop oven measures (L) 16.5″ x (W) 16.5″ x (H) 13″ and comes in a sleek white color that will complement any kitchen.
6. Power XL Turbo Air Fryer ($94.96)
With a glass bowl cooking chamber that holds up to 10 quarters, this non-toxic air fryer has six cooking presets, an LED touch screen display, and a temperature range from 90° F to 400° F.
It comes with a whole bunch of accessories, including air flow racks, a rotating mesh basket, a rotisserie shaft, and skewers. Plus, you’ll get a recipe book so you can discover new great ways to use the air fryer.
7. Black & Decker Crisp N Bake Air Fry ($84.99)
This stainless steel air fryer can bake, brown, and crisp your favorite foods using little to no oil. It has five cooking methods: air fry, bake, broil, toast, and keep warm.
It has a fairly large capacity that can fit six slices of bread or a 12” pizza and also comes with a 60-minute timer. This appliance has a convenient countertop design, so you can enjoy its features without taking up too much space in your kitchen.
8. Rosewill Infrared Halogen Stainless Steel Extender Ring Convection Oven ($89.99)
This convection oven uses halogen convection technology to sear food on the outside while leaving it juicy on the inside. It’s made of glass and stainless steel and has two dial controls to set the cooking time and temperature.
The Rosewill oven also comes with stainless steel cooking racks for up to three layers of cooking, tongs, and an extender ring to increase the oven’s capacity to 18 quarts.
9. Aria 5 Qt Ceramic Air Fryer ($69.99)
Whether you want to fry, grill, dehydrate, roast, toast, bake, reheat, or broil, the Aria 10 qt air fryer oven has got you covered. This air fryer heats to 400°F in a matter of seconds and also comes with a two-tier stainless steel rack to let you cook multiple foods at once.
The best part? This air fryer has a ceramic basket and is free of Teflon, harmful chemicals like PTFE, PFOA, and BPA, and heavy metals like lead and cadmium. The basket is also dishwasher-safe, making clean up a breeze.
Fry Without the Fumes With a Non-Toxic Air Fryer
Non-toxic air fryers are the way to go if you’re looking for a healthier and safer way to enjoy your favorite air-fried foods. With their innovative tech and non-toxic materials, they can provide a breath of fresh air in your kitchen.
Whether you’re a health-conscious foodie or just someone who wants to make delicious snacks without a side of harmful chemicals, non-toxic air fryers are the solution.
Opt for stainless steel or ceramic, and avoid potentially harmful materials like Teflon and other non-stick coatings. Your taste buds (and your health) will thank you!
For more healthy and eco-conscious kitchen products, check out our top recommendations for non-toxic baking sheets and other bakeware.
Non-Toxic Air Fryer FAQ
What is a non-toxic air fryer?
A non-toxic air fryer is made with non-toxic materials like stainless steel and glass. It’s also free from harmful substances like PFOA, PFOS, and BPA.
How do air fryers work?
Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food. This air circulation cooks food to a crispy texture without all the added saturated oil that comes with deep frying. Some models have multiple cooking functions like grilling, roasting, and baking.
What are the benefits of using a non-toxic air fryer?
Some benefits of using a non-toxic air fryer include healthier cooking, reduced oil consumption, and easy cleanup. You also don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals and toxins leaching into your food and the air.
What are some materials to avoid in an air fryer?
When purchasing an air fryer, avoid models that use harmful non-stick coatings like Teflon. Also look for ones that have undergone testing and have found to be free of PFAS and BPA.
What makes some air fryers toxic? What are the dangers?
Teflon-coated air fryers can release toxic fumes when heated to high temperatures. These fumes can cause flu-like symptoms or respiratory problems. Some air fryers also contain PFOA, PFOS, or other harmful substances that have been linked to cancer, liver damage, hormonal imbalances, and other health issues.
