Cooking takes up a big part of our day, and most of the time we focus on what we cook, not how we cook it. That changed when we noticed the coating on our basket was literally off in the food and made us look a bit deeper.
One of the first things we looked at was our air fryer. Air fryers have become really common in modern kitchens. Like most people we just wanted something faster and easier, but we also wanted to know it was actually safe. Unlike traditional frying that uses a lot of oil, an air fryer cooks food with hot air. It can still make food crispy, but with very little oil.
People are becoming more aware of the materials they use in their kitchens… and are just starting to ask questions they probably should have asked a long time ago. Some regular models may contain chemicals that aren’t good at high temperatures. According to recent market research the global air fryer market has already reached around 1 billion (1) and continues to grow each year. This is why is important to chose better.
Do Non-stick Air-friers Release PFAS?
Yes. Most traditional non-stick air fryers use polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, commonly known as Teflon) in their baskets, and in their interior walls coatings for easier cleaning. Research published in Science of The Total Environment (2) shows that even a single surface scratch on a Teflon-coated surface can release upwards of 9,100 microplastic and nanoplastic particles during cooking. These particles fall under a group of chemicals known as PFAS, often called “forever chemicals”, because the body has a very hard time breaking them down.
These coatings don’t last forever. With regular use, they gradually wears down. Small scratches begin to appear, and over time, the surface starts to degrade. Once that happens, it’s no longer as stable as it was when new and that’s where potential concerns arise.
What’s more concerning is that data from the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has repeatedly shown that various PFAS chemicals are detectable in the blood of nearly all Americans (97% to 99%+) (3) tested since 1999–2000. While some countries are starting to introduce restrictions, in most cases it’s still up to individuals to reduce their own exposure.
Related: 8 Plastic Free Blender Brands for a Truly Non-Toxic Kitchen
What Materials are Air Fryers Made of?
The outside of most air-fryers is basically plastic, but not just any plastic… It has to be heat-resistant, otherwise it would melt while the appliance is running. Inside, there’s a metal heating element that does all the work, that’s what heats up the air and actually cooks your food.
The cooking basket is usually aluminum or steel. And almost always there’s some kind of non-stick coating on it, because it helps with easier cleaning. The more expensive models sometimes go for stainless steel. It’s more durable and lasts longer.
| Interior Material Type | Safety Rating | Risk Factor | Best For |
| Stainless Steel | 🟢Highly Safe | Requires seasoning or light oil to prevent sticking | High-heat durability, longevity |
| Borosilicate Glass | 🟢 Exceptionally Safe | None (Inert material) | Visual cooking, zero chemical risk |
| Ceramic Coating | 🔴 Lower Risk than PTFE | Can degrade or chip over time if scraped | Convenience: easy cleanup |
| PTFE / Teflon | 🔴 High Risk | Releases microplastics and fumes if scratched/overheated | Cheap manufacturing, effortless clean |
Related: Plastic Free Thermomix Accessories for Non-toxic Cooking
What Toxic Chemicals can Air-fryers Release During Cooking?
The non-stick coating inside the basket is probably the first thing worth looking at. It keeps food from sticking and makes cleaning a lot easier, but it won’t last forever. Scratching it speeds up the damage, and once it starts breaking down, tiny bits can end up in your food without you even realizing it. And if it gets pushed to really high heat, it can give off fumes that are genuinely not great to be breathing in.
One of the first things we noticed is acrylamide (3). It forms when starchy foods like potatoes get cooked at high heat, typically above 248°F (120°C), especially when they go really brown and crispy. How much of it forms depends on variables like airflow and moisture, so a lot comes down to how you’re actually using it.
Another important group to be aware is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) compounds (4), which form when fats and oils get pushed to really high temperatures. Some of them have been linked to some pretty serious health effects. What makes them more concerning is that many PAHs are known to be toxic, and some have been linked to mutagenic and carcinogenic effects.(5)
Is the Claim PFAS Free, PTFE Free, and PFOA Free in Non-stick Air-friers Enough?
Just because something says “PFAS-free” or “PFOA-free”, that doesn’t mean it’s actually safe… PFOA is just one chemical out of thousands in the PFAS group so the label can be a bit misleading. The product might still have other forever chemicals in it, just not that specific one.
Related: We tested 11 Non-toxic Cookware Brands: These Have No Synthetic Coatings (2026 Guide)
3 Non-toxic Air-fryers for PFAS-free Cooking
At I’m Plastic Free we help you eliminate the issue at the source. For all the reasons outlined above, we provide our readers with alternative solutions that do not release microplastics.
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Please Note: Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health. Please read our disclaimer.
1. Midea Flexify Classic French Door Toaster Oven Air Fryer Combo
The Midea Flexify Classic is a 10-in-1 countertop oven that combines an air fryer and a full oven in one appliance. The stainless steel build with glass doors gives it a clean, modern look, and the metal interior makes it really easy to maintain.
It runs on 1,750W so food cooks quickly and evenly, which is always a win. If you are looking for something that saves counter space and handles pretty much any type of cooking, this one is definitely worth checking out.
Power: 1,750W
Dimensions: 16.93” W × 16.05” D × 13.75” H
Weight: approx. 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg)
Capacity: 25 QT or 26.4 QT
Materials:
- stainless steel exterior
- glass French doors
- metal interior
- aluminum-coated steel interior
- nickel chrome-plated steel racks and trays
Shop on Amazon USA
2. Our Place Wonder Oven Pro | 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer & Countertop Oven
The Wonder Oven Pro is compact but surprisingly spacious inside. It heats up quickly, which makes it really convenient for everyday cooking. The fact that it’s PFAS-free is a big plus for a lot of people. It can also replace several appliances at once due to its 8 functions (air fry, bake, roast, toast, broil, dehydrate, proof, and reheat with built-in steam infusion), which is great if you don’t have much counter space.
Power: 1,700 W
Dimensions: 13.25″D x 16.75″ W x 13″H
Weight: 8.2 kg
Capacity: 12.7, 31.7, or 32 QT
Materials: Stainless steel and quartz heating elements, steel accessories, cast aluminum bake pan with ceramic non-stick coating (PFAS-free)
Shop on Amazon USA
3. Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster and Convection Oven with Uncoated Stainless Steel Interior (TOA-70)
Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is another great and useful option. It has 8 functions like air fry, convection bake, convection broil, bake, broil, warm, toast, and grill. It fits up to 6 slices of bread, a 12-inch pizza, or a 4-lb chicken, but it’s not one of the largest capacity options for a family. The air-fry option makes the food crispy quickly and it’s not complicated to use. It can get quite hot, so you need to watch the cooking time. Overall, it is a good option that can replace several others appliances in the kitchen.
Please Note: Make sure you buy the TOA-70 series, (not the TOA-60 or TOA-65 series), because this is the latest model, and doesn’t have a non-stick coating in its interior.
Power: 1,800 W
Dimensions: 15.5″ × 16″ × 14″
Weight: 9.5 kg
Capacity: 18 QT
Materials: Stainless steel exterior, metal racks, uncoated stainless steel interior (no chemical coating).
Shop on Amazon USA
Our Personal Tip:
We recommend stainless steel as the safest and first option when it comes to non-toxic cooking materials for air-fryers! If stainless steel isn’t an option for you, always look for products that are at least PTFE-free, not just PFOA-free.
Q&As about Non-toxic Air-fryers
– Do Air Fryers Cause Cancer?
There is no strong scientific evidence that air fryers directly cause cancer.
– What is Acrylamide?
Acrylamide forms when starchy foods like potatoes are cooked at high temperatures, especially when they become very brown or crispy… The amount that forms can vary depending on how the food is cooked.
– Do Air Fryers Have any Negative Effects on Health?
Yes! Research shows that when cooking fatty foods, it can release ultrafine particles and VOCs into the air (6) , which may irritate the respiratory tract, especially if ventilation is poor.
– How to Avoid Acrylamide in Air-fryers?
To minimize acrylamide formation, avoid over-browning starchy foods like potatoes. Cook at temperatures below 395°F (200°C), soak raw potato slices in water for 30 minutes before cooking to reduce sugars, and stop cooking when food reaches a golden-yellow rather than a dark brown color. Just avoid overcooking and don’t burn the food!
Conclusion
In the end, the most important thing when choosing kitchen appliances is to think about our health first, not just convenience. Today, more and more studies are raising questions about the safety of certain materials and non-stick coatings, which is why it is worth choosing carefully. Making our life easier in the kitchen should not come at the expense of our long-term health.
References and Scientific Literature Sources:
- https://www.expertmarketresearch.com.au/reports/australia-air-fryer-market/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36030853/
- https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/hcp/clinical-overview/human-exposure.html
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814626013105/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11319689/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32711866/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39145124/
This article was written by Natalija Miloradovska Mafilovska and reviewed by I’m Plastic Free Editor, Simona Paganetto.
Natalija Miloradovska Mafilovska is a Medical Doctor and Specialist in Public Health – Hygiene and Environmental Health, based in North Macedonia. She completed her specialization at the Institute of Public Health in Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University. Her interest lies in environmental plastic pollution, with a particular emphasis on the emerging human health and ecological impacts of microplastics.
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