non-toxic air fryers

7 Best Non-Toxic Air Fryers (Verified)

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more.

Did you know that air fryers are toxic? Well, not all of them. But most of the first models that fit the market used toxic chemicals to create a non-stick coating for the baskets.

Comparison Table

Rank Product Key Feature Review
1. Big Boss Super-Sized Glass Air Fryer Oven Made entirely from ceramic glass which allows you to monitor the progress of your meal. Furthermore, it doesn’t contain any non-stick blend or plastic material. Full Review
2. Aria Air Ceramic Air Fryer A simple and traditional design with a ceramic-coated chamber and tray. It’s an extremely efficient air fryer that can cook meals without the threat of toxins. Full Review
3. Ninja Foodi 10-In-1 Pro Air Fryer Toaster Oven A multi-functional appliance that is completely free of any type of blended material or plastic. You can save a ton of money and space with this product. Full Review
4. NutriChef 13 Quart Glass Air Fryer Made from glass and stainless steel components and entirely free of PFAS. It’s a multi-functional air fryer that is slightly smaller, saving space and money. Full Review
5. HomeLabs 8-In-1 Air Fryer Oven An extremely versatile air fryer that can even make rotisserie chicken. It’s made from glass and stainless steel with a plastic (food-safe) exterior. Full Review
6. PowerXL Turbo XL Air Fryer With Glass Bowl Glass air fryer with rotisserie function. It’s a smaller model so can fit into small kitchens more comfortably. Full Review
7. Oster Compact Stainless Steel Air Fryer Oven Easy to use, multi-functional stainless steel air fryer oven. Its smaller size makes it fit in small kitchens a lot more comfortably. Full Review

While this was innocent at first, today, there are still companies that refuse to disclose their coating blends. This makes it almost impossible for consumers to choose an option that is safe to use without any negative effects down the road.

So, what are non-toxic air fryers, and how do you find them? You have to choose products that are completely free of ANY type of PFAS chemical. Don’t be fooled by clever marketing like “Teflon-free” and “PFTA-free.” It doesn’t exclude the use of any other harmful chemical.

Instead, either stay away from coated air fryers or go for alternatives made from materials such as stainless steel, ceramic, and glass.

In today’s guide, we will lift the veil off false marketing that air fryer manufacturers use to push their products. We will identify and discuss verified safe air fryers that you should rather invest in. Because at the end of the day, a cheap non-stick appliance isn’t worth your life.

Are Air Fryers Toxic?

We see air-fryers in a very similar way we see microwaves, electric ovens, and induction stovetops. They were (and still are) revolutionary appliances for the kitchen, both for commercial and home use.

Naturally, their exceptional functionality made them an overnight sensation, and today, almost every foodie has one.

Why all the love? Well, simply put, an air fryer allows you to quickly make uber-crisp food without having to use any oil. This produces healthier meals that are much lower in fats, ultimately reducing MANY health risks.

Another benefit of air fryers is that they come with many functions. You can bake, roast, dehydrate, fry, and grill. As long as the frying chamber can hold the item, you can cook it.

The appliances produce instant heat and circulate it extremely efficiently. This means less cooking time and also less electricity use.

But here’s the downside with all sensational appliances: companies take shortcuts. Whether it’s to save time in production, save money on materials, or just because of complete disregard, MANY (if not most) air fryers that were initially sold were made from toxic materials.

How Are Air Fryers Toxic?

As you know, most air frying baskets are coated with a non-stick material. And as you also may know, many of these non-stick coatings are made from PFAS, which stands for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. A mouthful, we know. 

But, basically, what they are is a group of chemicals that have non-stick properties. They have been used to make non-stick baking trays, roasting trays, pots, pans, cookie sheets – you name it!

And when air fryers hit the market, many of them used similar PFAS to make the basket non-stick as well. Again, whether it was to help sell a product, save money on better non-stick materials, or because of mere ignorance, today there are millions of old models out there that could be slowly poisoning you.

Over the years, it has been discovered that many of these PFAS coatings do release toxic chemicals when heated, ultimately leading to some severe health problems.

PTFE and PFOA are probably two of the most well-known PFAS chemicals. They were both used by the brand Teflon, which was arguably the biggest producer of non-stick cookware when it first hit the shelves.

Impact Of PFAS on Health and the Environment

It’s important to read this section. Because while it may be very upsetting and even scary, that’s why you should go out of your way to avoid ANY product that uses PFAS. 

Impact on the Environment

PFAS are also called “forever chemicals.” They are extremely resistant to environmental breakdown, ultimately destroying ecosystems and habitats in the process.

The really scary fact is that PFAS are found in rainwater and has now reached unsafe levels. 

And even scarier is that while one downpour may not have a massive impact on the environment or your body, PFAS chemicals may accumulate over time.

Impact on Human Health

If the above isn’t already reason enough to avoid PFAS materials, maybe the impact it will have on your health is!

  • PFAS have been linked to kidney and testicular cancer and can greatly increase your risk over time.
  • They also may increase your cholesterol levels, which in turn can have some serious negative effects on your health (especially heart health).
  • These chemicals also have massive implications for reproduction. They can lower your sperm count, lead to low birth weights in infants, and have an impact on the effectiveness of vaccines in young children or anyone with an impaired immune system.
  • And finally, because your liver helps process these chemicals, it can change your liver enzymes which then leads to liver diseases.

Buyers’ Guide for Safe Air Fryers – What to Look Out for

It all comes down to looking past misleading marketing. Many companies will advertise their products (not just air fryers) as “PTFA-free.” But that doesn’t exclude any other PFAS which is JUST AS BAD!

non-toxic air fryers

Ideally, you should avoid any type of PFAS, not just the well-known ones.

Furthermore, just because companies steer clear of PFAS doesn’t mean the alternative is safer to use. For example, Teflon replaced their PFAS formulas with a chemical called GenX.

The problem is that GenX has been linked to cancer in animals. So, while it’s safer than PFAS, is it safe? We’d recon no.

So, What to Avoid?

If a model has very little information on the materials that have been used, it’s best to stay away completely. 

Many companies use sneaky terminology or flat-out refuse to disclose what they use in their non-stick coating.

Terminology to Avoid

You can look at online product pages to look for specific terms that will help you narrow down the REAL safety of a product.

If a manufacturer says any of the following, it doesn’t mean that the coating is completely free of all PFAS.

* PFOS-free

* FDA-approved

* Non-Toxic

* PFOA-free

* PTFA-free

* Safe for food

Choose Air Fryers Without Non-Stick Coatings

If all else fails, it is much better to choose an air fryer with a basket that doesn’t have any type of non-stick coating. This way you can guarantee that there isn’t any PFAS used in the product.

non-stick coating

And, if you still aren’t sure, you can always read some product reviews or ask on a forum.

Choosing Alternative Non-Stick Coatings

If you don’t like the idea of an air fryer without a non-stick coating, you can always look for alternatives. Many manufacturers have now started making ceramic coatings, which are completely safe to use with food.

You can also buy a silicone basket that fits into the air fryer. And you can even buy parchment-paper air fryer basket liners.

7 Best Verified Non-Toxic Air Fryers

Unfortunately, there really aren’t that many verified air fryers that aren’t toxic. And, even from what we could find, the options are extremely limited.

So, some of today’s appliances aren’t just air fryers. They are multi-functional with air-frying settings.

Either way, all of the products below are verified to be toxic-free and work well. So, check them out and let us know if we missed another great option!

1. Big Boss Super-Sized Glass Air Fryer Oven

Check Current Price On Amazon

So, technically this is one of those multi-functional appliances. However, most people buy this exceptional product for its roasting, grilling, and air-frying abilities.

This air fryer oven is made completely from Engineered ABS (for the outside) and ceramic glass (the chamber). No plastic or chemical non-stick blends at all!

Another benefit of a glass air fryer is that you can monitor the doneness and progress of the items you are cooking.

The air fryer has a chamber capacity of 16 quarts and comes with tools that can allow the simultaneous cooking of different ingredients.

You can adjust the temperature anywhere between 149-482°F (65-250°C). And you can also set a timer that will make the air fryer switch off.

And finally, if you are worried about how well a strange design like this works, it’s really well. On Amazon alone, it has thousands of purchases and reviews! Just like any other air fryer, it creates instant heat that is circulated efficiently by fans throughout the chamber.

You can still make all of your favorite crispy air-fried meals, just without the threat of cancer!

The biggest downside is that it takes up a ton of space, and its size makes it difficult to clean.

2. Aria Air Ceramic Air Fryer

Check Current Price On Amazon

Moving on to a more traditional-looking air-fryer, this 3-quart model is perfect for singles or couples wanting a small meal or snack.

Aria is one of the best producers of air fryers to this date (in our opinion). So, it’s not surprising that they are also some of the first to release ceramic-coated trays and baskets.

And while we previously mentioned being cautious about certain phrasing, this appliance is ACTUALLY FDA-approved, completely free of Teflon, PTFE, PFOA, BPA, and Lead. It’s pure metal and ceramic.

This air fryer is still incredibly easy to use, very easy to clean, and makes exceptional crispy and healthy food. This is thanks to the incredible AriaFlow technology. Their appliances can actually reach 400°F (204.4°C) in seconds!

You can also use it to broil, grill, roast, toast, and bake, making it a truly multi-functional quality tool to have in the kitchen.

3. Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Pro Air Fryer Toaster Oven

Check Current Price On Amazon

This appliance has the design of a toaster oven but the technology of an air fryer. So, this makes it incredibly easy to avoid any PFAS chemical materials because you can use your regular baking or roasting trays.

This massive oven has a 12-pound capacity and can cook multiple dishes at the same time. For example, a 5-pound chicken, and a tray of roasted vegetables. This makes it incredibly handy and can save you both time and money!

It also has 10 built-in functions including broiling, dehydrating, reheating, roasting, and baking (to name a few). 

The digital screen allows you to set an exact temperature and time. Overall, it’s an incredibly sleek and modern appliance that will save you a lot of kitchen space because it eliminates the need for multiple appliances.

The downsides are its size and price. But again, if you consider that you don’t need to buy multiple cooking tools, you’re still saving a ton of money in the end.

4. NutriChef 13 Quart Glass Air Fryer

Check Current Price On Amazon

This model is similar to the Big Boss fryer. The biggest difference for us is the size, functionality, and price.

First, it’s made from a mixture of glass and stainless steel parts. But again, no plastics or PFAS.

The slightly smaller size means you are left with more countertop space but also that you can cook smaller meals. This is a pro depending on how you use an air fryer. Remember, the bigger the chamber, the more power is used to heat it evenly.

Naturally, the smaller size makes the price a little more affordable.

And finally, the functionality of this model is similar to most air fryers as well. It can roast, grill, bake, broil, and air fry. It’s still very easy to clean and won’t get stained by the food.

5. HomeLabs 8-in-1 Air Fryer Oven

Check Current Price On Amazon

This is an air fryer you’ve never seen before. First, it’s made from a mix of plastics (for the outside), stainless steel (for the cooking chamber), and a double-layered see-through plastic-glass window. And don’t worry there’s no PFAS.

The glass door allows you to check on your food at any time without having to open the chamber.

What makes this appliance unique is also the rotisserie function, which allows you to cook whole chickens evenly.

You can set the temperature anywhere between 90-400°F (32.2-204.4°C), and it has a built-in shut-off function when the set timer has run out. 

There are also multiple cooking functions you can choose from that cook common foods perfectly. 

You can dehydrate foods on the racks, make kebabs on the skewer rack, and simply air-fry foods perfectly.

6. PowerXL Turbo XL Air Fryer With Glass Bowl

Check Current Price On Amazon

Similar to the HomeLabs air fryer, this option also comes with a rotisserie function and skewer tool.

It’s a see-through glass air fryer with a stainless steel cover. So, it’s completely free of chemical plastic blends of similar PTAF materials.

The main difference between these two options is the functionality. This model is really simple and only intended for basic cooking functions. It also has a smaller capacity, making it easier to use in smaller kitchens.

While you could argue the other models on today’s list are better, this option works the best of all for specific people.

7. Oster Compact Stainless Steel Air Fryer Oven

Check Current Price On Amazon

And finally, we decided to end with another multi-functional appliance that will ultimately save you space and money. This oven can air-fry, broil, bake, and toast. You can also set the temperature and timer using the dials.

The oven is made entirely from stainless steel, so there are no worries about chemical blended materials at all.

Its design is simple, it’s extremely easy to clean the trays or oven racks, and it’s the perfect air fryer that you can use without worrying about toxins.

One Comment

  1. Hi Jaron,

    This article is exactly what I’m looking for… non-toxic education, plain and simple, and available models. You’ve just made my life a lot easier. Appreciate that!

    Looking forward to seeing what I find in your food blogs!

    Thanks!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *