Most air fryers use non-stick coatings that contain harmful PFAS chemicals – even some labeled “Teflon-free.”
Ingesting small chipped-off Teflon flakes (a common myth) isn’t a realistic concern according to experts. The true risk lies in PFAS accumulation in your body with frequent non-stick air fryer use, potentially linking to cancers, high blood pressure, and more (see below).
Fortunately, non-toxic air fryers exist – those 100% free from all PFAS chemicals on food contact surfaces.
Instead, they’re made from inert materials like stainless steel, glass, and ceramic. Our expert team found 13 such fryers.
Then, we applied our stringent testing and criteria evaluation process, arriving at the top nine safest air fryers overall. Some are dedicated air fryers; others are air fryer ovens – but all meet our criteria.
Let’s dive in!
Top Picks: Quick Comparison
| Air Fryer | Materials | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Max (Top Pick) | Nonstick Ceramic | 5.5 Quart | $144 |
| Instant Pot Ultimate | Stainless Steel | 6.5 Quart | $279 |
| Big Boss | Glass, Stainless Steel | 16 Quarts | $78 |
| Crisp 'N Bake | Stainless Steel, Anodized Aluminum | 17.9 Quart | $112 |
| Nutrichef | Glass, Stainless Steel | 13 Quart | $70 |
| Greenpan 13-in-1 | Thermalon Nonstick Ceramic | 6.5 Quart | $199 |
| Wonder Oven | Stainless Steel, Nonstick Ceramic | 12.6 Quart | $195 |
| Oster Compact | Stainless Steel | 3.9 Quart | $107 |
| Gotham Steel | Nonstick Titanium-Ceramic | 4 Quart | $63 |
Are Air Fryers Actually Toxic?
PFAS Coatings: What They Are & How They Become Unsafe:
Most nonstick-coated air fryers use Teflon, the brand name for PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).
Previously, PFOA and PFOS were used as binding agents to produce Teflon, but were phased out due to health concerns. The chemical GenX replaced them – leading to the marketing of “PFOA-free” air fryers, a misleading safety claim similar to “BPA-free” plastic.
GenX, PTFE, PFOA, and PFOS are all PFAS-based chemicals, and no PFAS is entirely safe. However, there’s some confusion regarding the health risks associated with these coatings.
Despite the myth, experts claim ingesting small Teflon flakes is generally harmless unless consumed in massive amounts. Research indicates PFAS coatings pose a risk only at prolonged temperatures above 482℉. Yet, most air fryers do not exceed 450℉, minimizing the chance of toxin off-gassing.
So why do we need non-toxic air fryers if PFAS is harmless in small amounts?
How PFAS Coatings Become Harmful
Recent studies suggest that PFAS can leach into food even at normal cooking temperatures. And these chemicals accumulate in the body over time (for example, eating air-fried food regularly).
Now, it’s unknown exactly how much PFAS is too much (i.e., the level at which health risks occur). However, we do know that unsafe PFAS levels in the body can lead to an increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer, high blood pressure, low birth weight, and increased cholesterol levels.
Named “Forever chemicals,” PFAS also hurt ecosystems due to their extreme resistance to breaking down. Researchers have found them throughout natural environments, where they can be toxic to animals.
So, it’s best to avoid this “toxic accumulation” and switch to air fryers using stainless steel, glass, and ceramic non-stick.
What Makes an Air Fryer Non-Toxic? Criteria & How We Picked
We went beyond brand descriptions to make our air fryer picks. Non-stick air fryers stating only “PFOA-free and PFOS-free” were immediately excluded; the company must specify “PFAS-free.”
Some brands made it more tricky, claiming to be “PTFE-free” without disclosing the actual coating. This means they’re using a proprietary PFAS non-stick that technically isn’t Teflon, yet no safer. We must see “ceramic non-stick” along with “PTFE-free.” If not, assume it’s PFAS.
Locating truly PFAS-free air fryers is a challenge. There just aren’t many. So, most (but not all) of our below picks are dedicated air fryers. A few are halogen ovens with air frying settings.
Rest assured, all nine options meet our six safety and operations criteria:
- Cooking basket/ food-contact surfaces must be 100% free from PFAS, Bisphenols, lead, and cadmium – ensuring no harmful leaching or off-gassing fumes at max temperature ranges.
- Must use non-reactive materials like stainless steel, glass, ceramic, and chrome-plated steel. Non-stick air fryers must use a ceramic coating (no “proprietary” non-stick).
- Easy cleaning is essential despite the lack of PFAS (i.e., polished stainless steel, ceramic).
- Must operate relatively quietly.
- Must have sufficient safety features; automatic shut-off at a minimum.
- Must maintain an average star rating of 4.0 and up. While our team had luck testing these options, others may not. So, we want social proof across hundreds of users to back our opinions.
We also strived to offer a diverse selection in price and size, catering to single adults, large families, and between.
9 Best Non-Toxic Air Fryers Without Teflon: Tested & Reviewed
Here are our top recommendations for the best PFAS-free air fryers available today!
1. Ninja MAX XL
Best Overall Air Fryer
- Materials & included accessories: Ceramic non-stick pot. Plastic exterior (does not touch food).
- Food Capacity: 5.5-quarts
- Size & weight: 11″D x 14″W x 14.75″H – 11lbs
- Temperature ranges: 105℉ – 450℉
- Care: Removable dishwasher-safe pot, though I recommend hand washing ceramic non-stick.
- Price (when published): $144.33
- Warranty: 1-year
Ninja’s dedicated 1750-watt air fryer stands out with its precise controls, offering more than just a basic “air fry” setting. With Air Roast, Air Broil, and Max Crisp, it adjusts time, temperature, and fan speeds for various outcomes.
Use Air Fry for versatile tasks and Air Roast for lower, slower cooking, ideal for whole chickens. Max Crisp, at a blazing 450℉, ensures perfect crispiness 30% faster than Ninja’s previous model, perfect for fries and wings (especially when frozen). Its 5.5-quart capacity easily handles 3lbs of chicken wings or fries, suitable for 3-4 people.
Additionally, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate settings, customizable through digital controls, expand your culinary options. And the included cookbook offers endless ideas. Cleaning is easy with the ceramic-coated basket, despite being 100% PFAS-free.
Although rated dishwasher-safe, I advise hand-washing to preserve the ceramic’s lifespan.
2. Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate
Easiest to Use
- Materials & included accessories: Stainless steel pot, lid, & air frying rack. Plastic exterior (does not touch food).
- Food capacity: 6.5-quarts
- Size & weight: 15.4″D x 15.5″W x 13.4″H – 23.3lbs
- Temperature ranges: 180℉ – 400℉
- Care: Removable dishwasher-safe stainless steel insert
- Price (when published): $179.95
- Warranty: 1-year
Instant Pot’s 13-in-1 air fryer/pressure cooker introduces the Ultimate lid, combining air frying convenience and pressure cooking in one device. Its 100% stainless steel interior, including the lid, is PFAS-free, ensuring healthy cooking. With 13 preset settings, from air frying to steaming, it caters to nearly every cooking task in one unit.
The intuitive LCD panel guides you through each step, making it perfect for beginners. Its generous 6.5-quart capacity serves four or more people, which is ideal for family meals.
Safety is paramount, featuring 11+ backstops like overheat protection and an auto-locking lid. The LCD’s steam release button reassures you when it’s “ok to open the lid,” relieving the frequent pressure cooking anxieties.
Included is a versatile steaming/air frying rack and access to Instant Pot’s app with 800+ recipes. With the intuitive settings and recipe options, you only need to buy the ingredients. Note it’s a bit hefty (over 20lbs) and might not be ideal for frequent cabinet movement.
3. Big Boss
Largest Capacity Air Fryer
- Materials & included accessories: Glass bowl. Stainless steel cooking racks & extender ring. Plastic top (does not touch food).
- Food capacity: 16-quarts
- Size & weight: 12.5″D x 16″W x 13.5″H, 14.74 lbs
- Temperature ranges: 180℉ – 400℉
- Care: Removable dishwasher-safe glass bowl
- Price (when published): $78.29
- Warranty: 1-year
Big Boss’s halogen oven features adjustable time and temperature controls for versatile air frying, baking, grilling, roasting, and toasting.
I found the 1300W built-in fan and 360° air convection system to be exceptionally fast, outperforming similar models I’ve tested. The non-toxic glass bowl design allows real-time monitoring, preventing over or undercooking with on-the-fly adjustments.
But my favorite feature is the extender ring, adding five quarts of capacity without sacrificing counter space. Even without it, the 11-12 quarts size is highly versatile. With dual stainless cooking racks and its tall design, I could cook two items simultaneously, like potatoes on the bottom level and a roast on top.
Lastly, overheat protection and automatic shut-off come standard, ensuring worry-free air frying. Note, the glass bowl is pretty big and might be difficult to fit in your dishwasher.
4. Black & Decker Crisp ‘N Bake
Largest Capacity Air Fryer Oven
- Materials & included accessories: Chrome-plated stainless steel interior, exterior, & racks. Hard-anodized baking & crumb trays.
- Food capacity: 17.9-quarts
- Size & weight: 21.5″D x 23″W x 11.2″H – 15.7 Pounds
- Temperature ranges: 250℉ – 450℉
- Care: Stainless trays are dishwasher-safe; interior wipes clean easily
- Price (when published): $112
- Warranty: 2-year
Black & Decker’s 1500-watt oven-style fryer is a straightforward choice for those seeking reliability over frills. Made entirely from stainless steel, it offers both safety and durability, outlasting units with ceramic non-stick coatings.
While not a traditional non-toxic air fryer, this versatile oven offers simple knob controls from 250 to 450 degrees. Its five preset functions – air fry, bake, broil, toast, and keep warm – prevent confusion. When set to Air Fry (400℉) or Bake (450℉), the powerful convection fan circulates hot air rapidly, producing crispy, lower-fat meals.
For precise control, the Crisp ‘N Bake allows manual adjustments within its temperature range. An integrated timer, with auto shut-off for up to 60 minutes, guarantees accurate cooking. The spacious interior accommodates a 12” pizza, eight slices of bread, or any standard 9×13″ pan effortlessly.
Unique features include an external crumb tray for easy cleaning and a glass dropdown door, enabling real-time food monitoring.
5. Nutrichef PKAIRFR48.5
Best Medium Air Fryer
- Materials & included accessories: Glass bowl with stainless steel tray & rack for steaming & air frying. Plastic top (does not touch food).
- Food capacity: 13-quarts
- Size & weight: 7″D x 13″W x 15″H – 14.7 lbs
- Temperature ranges: 149℉ – 482℉
- Care: Removable dishwasher-safe glass bowl
- Price (when published): $70
- Warranty: 1-year
Nutrichef’s 1200-watt air fryer convection oven, equipped with a glass bowl instead of non-stick coatings, offers a healthier alternative. Smaller than the Big Boss, its medium 13-quart size is ideal for apartment kitchens. It provides enough space for meal-prepping while a full-size rotisserie chicken cooks comfortably.
What sets Nutrichef apart is its versatile temperature range, from 149℉ for defrosting frozen food to 482°F for air frying. Though, the halogen bulb and rapidly-circulating fan ensure fast heating, eliminating the need for thawing anyway.
With simple rotary dial controls, it offers settings like defrost, broil, roast, bake, steam, grill, and BBQ, all utilizing hot circulated air for healthier, low-fat meals. The built-in auto shut-off guarantees no burnt food mishaps.
6. GreenPan 13-in-1
Best Non-stick Air Fryer
- Materials & included accessories: Stainless steel interior, exterior, & steamer basket. Thermolon ceramic non-stick pot & air frying basket.
- Food capacity: 6.5-quarts
- Size & weight: 10″D x 22″W x 15″H – 21.9lbs
- Temperature ranges: 430℉ max
- Care: Removable dishwasher-safe insert, though I recommend hand washing ceramic non-stick.
- Price (when published): $199
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Greenpan’s air fryer features a tough stainless steel exterior with Thermolon Volt cooking pot, a ceramic non-stick coating inspired by their renowned cookware.
This diamond-infused ceramic is rugged, cleans easily, and makes food healthier by reducing fat usage (and eliminating PFAS)! The multi-function 13-in-1 operating system offers air frying, as well as bake, broil, grill, dehydrate, and even rice options.
What sets this model apart is its inclusion of two lids. The stainless steel lid is designed to circulate intense hot air around food, perfect for air frying. Use it with the included ceramic air frying basket for easy, non-toxic cleanup. For slow cooking or steaming, use the stainless steel steamer basket and tempered glass lid to easily monitor your food’s progress.
Unlike circular air fryers, its spacious, rectangular cooking pot accommodates large roasts. Note, this unit is heavy (21.9lbs). It’s something you’ll want to leave in place on your countertop.
7. Our Place Wonder Oven
Best Air Fryer Oven
- Materials & included accessories: Stainless steel interior, exterior, & crumb tray. Chromed steel air fry basket & wire rack. Ceramic-coated baking pan.
- Food capacity: 12.6-quarts
- Size & weight: 11.6″H x 10.6″D x 11.5″W – 11.6lbs
- Temperature ranges: 200℉ – 450℉
- Care: Stainless racks are dishwasher-safe; hand-wash the ceramic pan to prolong its lifespan
- Price (when published): $195
- Warranty: 1-year
Our Place’s 1400-watt Wonder Oven combines style, safety, and efficiency, boasting rapid 2.5-minute heat-up and versatile settings in a 100% PFAS-free design. While not strictly an air fryer, its Air Fry setting delivers perfectly textured filets with 360-degree hot air circulation and an adjustable steel rack.
The Roast setting, paired with the included ceramic baking pan and multiple shelf positions, offers versatile meal prep. You can efficiently cook meats and side dishes simultaneously. Plus, it features four other settings like bake, toast, broil, and reheat, all supported by a 60-minute auto-shutoff timer.
With 12 liters of capacity, the Wonder Oven easily fits 4.5lb chickens, 9” pizzas, four slices of toast, or a pound of fries.
But what really sets it apart from other air fryers is the Steam Infusion System, ensuring a crispy outside and moist inside. I love how this feature works automatically regardless of the cooking setting you’re using. Simply pour water down the steam inlet to revive stale rolls and old pizza. It actually works!
8. Oster Compact Air Fryer Oven
Best Space-Saver
- Materials & Included Accessories: Stainless steel interior, exterior, baking tray, & air frying rack.
- Food capacity: 3.9-quarts
- Size & Weight: 16.6″ W x 8.8″ H x 11.9″ D – 12lbs
- Temperature ranges: 250℉ – 400℉ (with 160℉ Keep Warm setting)
- Care: Stainless racks are dishwasher-safe, interior wipes clean easily
- Price (when published): $107
- Warranty: 1-year
Oster’s compact air fryer oven features four versatile settings with air frying capability. Its small, space-saving design is perfect for single adults or couples, especially in small apartments like mine.
This model offers slightly more control than Black & Decker’s Crisp N Bake. There’s a standalone dial to set your mode – Air Fry, Broil, Bake, Toast, and Turbo Convection, paired with separate temperature and time dials to make on-the-fly adjustments.
It’s straightforward, offering enough flexibility to handle most tasks without overwhelming you with options. The modest 3.9-quart size easily fits four slices of bread or a 9″ pizza at a time.
Now, I’ll say that I found the Crisp N Bake to have a more effective Air Fry setting than Oster. However, Oster’s Turbo Convection mode browns food more evenly than similar ovens I’ve tried. And its PFAS-free, 100% stainless steel interior is polished to make cleaning a breeze without non-stick coatings.
9. Gotham Steel
Best Personal Air Fryer
- Materials & Included Accessories: Titanium-infused ceramic non-stick basket. Plastic exterior (does not touch food).
- Food capacity: 4-quarts
- Size & Weight: 18″D x 14″W x 14″H – 9.2lbs – basket has a 7.5″ diameter with 3.5″ depth
- Temperature ranges: 175℉ – 400℉
- Care: Removable dishwasher-safe basket, though I recommend hand washing ceramic non-stick
- Price (when published): $62.72
- Warranty: 1-year
Gotham Steel’s 4-quart air fryer is a user-friendly option for 1-2 people. Its simple interface offers four preset modes from 175 to 400℉, perfect for tasks from thawing to rapid air frying.
Additionally, a custom front dial allows precise temperature adjustments, and etched guidelines for different food groups sit on the unit’s top. My only complaint is that the temperature guides are not definite, only approximate. You may need to adjust times shorter or longer.
What sets this fryer apart is Gotham Steel’s PFAS-free, non-stick ceramic-coated basket. Unlike most competition, it’s triple-coated and titanium-reinforced for lasting performance. Also, the basket’s fat-draining design ensures no excess grease is left in your food, helping to lower fat intake further.
How to Tell If an Air Fryer (or anything) is PFAS-Free
We touched on this above when mentioning our non-toxic air fryer criteria; however, it’s worth diving a bit deeper here. Today’s tricky marketing tactics make finding truly PFAS-free air fryers a challenge.
Now, the above nine air fryers all meet our criteria. They are PFAS-free. But if you want to keep browsing online, here are some methods I use to evaluate products quickly.
1. Perform a “Control-F” search (or “Command+F” on Mac) for related “non-stick buzzwords” on a product page. You’re looking for the exact words “PFAS-free.”
Terms that don’t mean PFAS-free include:
- “PFOS-free”
- “PFOA-free”
- “FDA-approved”
- “Very safe”
- “Proprietary PTFE-free non-stick”
2. It’s important to note that not all PFAS-free air fryers say so on their website. Look for air fryers “without non-stick coatings” (like glass or stainless), or email the manufacturer for more information.
Ask if there’s any PFAS used in the fryer, especially on “food contact surfaces.” Some companies may use PFAS only on the inside walls, for example. If the company refuses to disclose more information, skip it.
3. Use Amazon’s “Looking for specific info?” search box to ask if the air fryer is PFAS-free. Often, the manufacturer will respond directly on Amazon! This feature is on every Amazon product page (use Control-F to find it quickly!).
The bottom line: Always confirm the air fryer is free from PFAS. If it’s a non-stick air fryer, it’s either ceramic-coated (PFAS-free) or some type of PFAS coating, even if labeled Teflon-free.
Recap & Conclusion
To wrap up, let’s recap the main takeaways:
- Any non-stick air fryer, unless labeled “ceramic-coated,” contains potentially harmful PFAS chemicals.
- Avoid using non-stick air fryers with old/ chipped coatings to limit PFAS ingestion, unless ceramic-coated.
- The safest air fryer materials include stainless steel, glass, ceramic, and chromed steel.
And here are our top recommended air fryers for various categories:
- Top non-toxic air fryer overall: Ninja Max for its versatile, air-frying-specific settings and easy-cleaning ceramic coating.
- Top pick for large families: Big Boss for its 16-quart glass bowl with a relatively small footprint.
- Top non-stick option: Greenpan for its rugged, long-lasting Thermolon ceramic coating.
- Top air fryer oven: Our Place’s Wonder Oven for its versatility and Steam Infusion System.
- Top budget pick: Nutrichef for its versatile size at a fair price.
P.S. Air fryer, check. Now it’s time to evaluate your slow cooker for lead – check out our guide on the safest slow cookers!
Hey, I'm Adam - TGL author and founder. Since 2016, I've produced and sold non-toxic kitchenware throughout the US. Today, I'm using my background in sustainable product manufacturing to help families avoid unsafe reusable foodware. When I'm not writing, you'll find me throughout Appalachia camping, hiking, or both!
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