Best Safest Non-Toxic Air Fryers without Teflon – PTFE, no PFAS, and PFOA Free (2023 Updated)

Did you know that:

Cooking with air fryers is 70% healthier than frying in oil. Air frying reduces the amount of fat in your food by up to 75% while creating that familiar crispy brown coating.

And there’s more:

Air fryers can decrease the amount of a dangerous chemical compound called acrylamide (which, by the way, is classified as a “probable carcinogen”) in French fries and potato chips by 90% compared to traditional deep frying (According to IFT).

Air fryers are all about making food healthier, and that’s why almost all of them are BPA free. It means that the parts that contact with the food in the air fryers are made of entirely non toxic materials like stainless steel, ceramics, etc. And even the body and other structural elements of most air fryers that do not contact with the food are made of BPA-free plastic.

In this article, we’re going to bust all the myths about BPA and reveal the real truth about safe kitchen appliances. We have done extensive research on the topic and picked up the best and the safest non toxic air fryers there are.

So here’s the list of the best BPA free non toxic air fryers:

Safest Non-Toxic Air Fryers without Teflon (BPA, PTFE, PFAS, and PFOA free)

1. Big Boss Oil-less Non Toxic Bird Safe Air Fryer without Teflon That Doesn’t Cause Cancer

Pros:

• Large capacity
• Transparent glass bowl
• Can cook two different foods simultaneously
• Comes with a recipe book
• Easy to use
• Safe for birds (including parrots)

Cons:

• Not the best looking
• No auto-shut off

Safety	10/10
Capacity	16 qt
Overall rating	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Aptly named the Big Boss Air Fryer, this kitchen appliance has an extendable capacity of up to 16 qt, which is large enough to cook a whole turkey.

It’s also very easy to use, with one dial to set a timer and another to select a temperature. Thanks to the two-shelf set (included) it lets you cook two foods simultaneously. Chicken in the bottom and chips on the top. Less time, less faff.

The transparent glass bowl means you can see if your food is cooked without opening the cooking chamber and letting the heat out. This glass bowl is dishwasher safe, too.

Needless to say, it doesn’t contain any toxic materials. Big Boss is an air fryer without Teflon. It’s absolutely free from PFOS, PFOA, PFAS, BPA, lead, and cadmium. It’s the ultimate safest air fryer that doesn’t cause cancer.

This is why the Big Boss air fryer is absolutely safe for birds. Your parrots and other pet birds are totally safe unless it’s chicken or turkey that you’re cooking 😂.

2. Ninja DT201 Foodi Stainless Steel Non Toxic Air Fryer Oven

Safety	8/10
Capacity	27 Qt
Overall rating	⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ninja DT201 is basically an air fryer toaster oven with all its pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look at it.

With dimensions of 17x20x13 inches, it is the biggest countertop appliance on our list. As you can guess, you can easily cook family-sized meals in one batch. Huge portions of french fries, pizza, chicken wings, a whole chicken, and much much more.

You can easily put a 5 lb chicken there, and there’s still space for a pan of vegetables above it.

See? There’s nothing you can’t do with Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air. Now, what about safety?

Ninja Foodi DT201 air fryer is made of stainless steel and has no plastic parts except for the handle with digital controls. Stainless steel is absolutely a non-toxic material. It can’t contain any BPA, PTFO, PTOA, or any other toxic substance (like heavy metals) that you can be afraid of. The interior is enameled steel, not nonstick.

It’s even safe for birds because it doesn’t contain Teflon which is so toxic to them. This air fryer is completely Teflon free. Parrot owners and their pet birds are safe.

What is this oven good for? Everything!

It has ten functions: air fry, whole roast, air roast, bake, dehydrate, pizza, broil, toast, bagel, and reheat. You can read more about each function in the manual that comes with the air fryer.

The accessories that come with the oven include 2 sheet pans, 2 wire racks, an air fry basket, a roast tray, and a crumb tray.

Here are a couple of things to consider before buying it:

This non-teflon air fryer oven gets really hot externally when used. Especially in the back. The sides are safe, they’re properly ventilated. The top can get up to 100F but it’s still safe. But the back can get really hot. Up to 165F. It won’t damage the cabinets above and around, but it won’t hurt if you give it some free space in the back.

Since the coating isn’t non-stick, you’ll have to keep an eye on the interior and clean it properly from elbow grease once in about a month.

3. Emeril Everyday – BPA Free Air Fryer

Safety	8/10
Capacity	8 qt
Overall rating	⭐⭐⭐⭐

The next air fryer on our list is Emeril Everyday Air Fryer.

It’s an unusual pick.

First of all, because it’s both an air fryer and a pressure cooker at the same time!

Well, not exactly at the same time. This appliance comes as an electric pressure cooker base with two lids: one for air frying and another one for pressure cooking.

Considering its dual nature, the appliance is versatile. You can air fry, pressure cook, bake, do sous vide, use it as a canner, or steamer, make yogurts, grill, and roast. For you not to get confused, there are 44 presets for easier use that you can as much easily pick using the LCD menu and the straightforward menu buttons:

Emeril pressure air fryer comes with a bunch of recipe books so you can just pick one and follow the instructions without too much effort figuring out the right settings.

As for safety, it does not contain any toxic materials and completely BPA, PTFE, PFAS, and PFOA free. The basket and all accesories are made of stainless steel and doesn’t have any plastic elements or toxic coating.

All things considered, I believe anyone who loves their kitchen gadgets would appreciate having one appliance do so many things. It helps save counter space and money on additional devices. A very wise purchase especially if used daily.

4. Kalorik MAXX Plus Stainless Steel Non Toxic Air Fryer With French Doors

Safety	8.5/10
Capacity	26 qt (16 qt available)
Overall rating	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you’re looking for an air fryer with french doors that won’t expose you to toxic chemicals, we recommend the Kalorik MAXX Plus Air Fryer.

This unique appliance combines the best of both worlds: It has all of the versatility as other air fryers and toaster ovens on the market, but it excels at creating healthier dishes thanks to its BPA free construction and lack of nonstick coating.

The MAXX Plus can fry, bake, toast, roast, grill, rotisserie, braise sear dehydrate and broil all with one appliance — so there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating delicious culinary delights!

With its powerful heating element that preheats up to 500°F in just minutes this air fryer will cook french fries 22% faster, steak 37% faster, and chicken 27% faster than your average oven without running up your electric bill as it uses 77% less energy than traditional ovens.

And thanks to its sophisticated French doors with mirror finish glass, cooking won’t be messy anymore as any drips or scalding hot air will be kept at bay.

Not only does the MAXX Plus ensure crisp golden brown perfection every time but also all of these treats can be enjoyed guilt free as little oil is needed for frying food which means no fat or calories either!

To further make life easier 14 amazing accessories come included with the purchase such as air frying basket, air rack, 2-in-1 steak and dehydrator tray, 2 dehydration racks, bacon tray, baking tray, rotisserie spit and forks, rotisserie handle, rack handle, crumb tray, 2 oven mitts, and a hardcover cookbook.

Safety verdict: Kalorik MAXX Plus is completely nontoxic and doesn’t contain teflon or any nonstick coating. It is BPA-free, PFOA-free, and PTFE-free. There’s one caveat though: although the air fryer itself is made of stainless steel completely, you should know that some accessories do have non-stick coating.

The baking tray, steak tray, and bacon tray have nonstick coating on them. You can use the appliance without them, but that’s a hard minus to the overall rating.

5. Cuisinart Compact Stainless Steel Air Fryer

Safety	7.5/10
Capacity	6 qt
Overall rating	⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cuisinart Compact is the #4 on our list of the best non toxic air fryer.

This is a great product to have in your kitchen if you’re looking for a healthier way of cooking food while still getting that delicious fried taste. The air fryer has a 6-quart capacity and is made from stainless steel, so it’s durable and easy to clean.

The stainless steel exterior gives this air fryer a sleek and modern look that will be sure to fit right into your kitchen countertop.

Additionally, its viewing window allows you to keep track of progress while food cooks inside — essential if you’re trying something new or experimenting with different recipes.

The interior is not entirely stainless steel, though. The manufacturer says it’s a “non-stick stainless steel” which sounds confusing. But don’t worry. I did some research and found that what’s being used for the non-stick effect isn’t teflon but chrome plated steel. It is used to increase durability and prevent corrosion.

Unlike teflon coating, chrome plated steel is completely non-toxic and safe. Read more about chrome plating later in this article.

Overall I would highly recommend investing in the Cuisinart Air Fryer if you want an efficient way of cooking tasty yet nutritious meals quickly at home without compromising on safety or quality standards.

6. Ninja Max XL Air Fryer

Safety	7/10
Capacity	5.5 qt
Overall rating	⭐⭐⭐

The next air fryer on our list is Ninja Max XL.

The Ninja brand has a very loyal following, and this air fryer is a good reason why. The sleek, black design is aesthetically pleasing while the controls on the top are easy to use.

It boasts six cooking settings, including air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate, with different programmable temperature and time settings.

This air fryer has an ample 5.5-quart capacity, which is enough to cook food for 3-5 people without cooking in batches.

With 14.8 inches in height, it would fit perfectly on a typical countertop.

Its ceramic-coated non-stick basket is easy to clean, and the controls are intuitive.

According to the manufacturer, Ninja Max XL Air Fryer does not contain any toxic materials and is completely BPA, PTFE, and PFOA free.

Overall it’s a great and, what’s more important, safe basket style air fryer for a busy family. You can easily cook chicken wings, french fries, or whatever recipe you’d find online. It’s relatively quite. And ceramic-coated non-stick basket makes the cleaning process easier than anything.

7. Chefman 6.8 qt — Best BPA Free Air Fryer for a Family of 3

Chefman is a well known brand in the world of air fryers. And rightfully so. They offer a wide range of compact, convenient, and completely safe and nontoxic air fryers in various sizes.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly air fryer, this air fryer by Chefman is an excellent choice. It’s a compact air fryer perfect for small kitchen counter spaces and dorm rooms.

It’s easy to use, heats up quickly, and is quiet.

It’s also affordable, so you won’t have to spend a lot of money to get an air fryer that works. The Chefman air fryer has a digital display that allows you to adjust the temperature and cooking time easily. You can adjust the temperature by pressing the plus or minus buttons.

Chefman air fryer is pretty compact and won’t take much space on your countertop:

It’s also one of the quieter air fryers on the market.

Overall, this air fryer is a good option if you’re looking for something simple to use without any bells and whistles. It just works, it’s affordable, and most importantly, it’s completely safe.

This air fryer doesn’t have a nonstick coating. Everything but the body (which is outside the cooking area) is made of stainless steel that doesn’t contain any toxic materials. All accessories are also stainless steel including the racks, trays, rotisserie and basket.

Although the cooking area is safe and non-toxic, the air fryer is NOT recommended for use around parrots, other small birds and small pets.

Other Non Toxic Air Fryers We Liked, But There’s One Thing

Not all air fryers have the same level of safety. If we were to divide them into categories, we’d make three categories: the safest; suboptimal, but safe; and toxic.

This is the list of air fryers that we think aren’t using the most optimal materials and elements. For example, many manufacturers try to replace Teflon nonstick coating with ceramic nonstick coating.

Unlike PFAS which stays in your body basically forever, ceramic coating is non-toxic as it doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals. However, the technology that is used for coating includes the use of nanotechnology and nano-particles that aren’t studied well in relation to human health.

The list also includes air fryers with aluminum and zinc-coated surfaces.

Notice: Most of these air fryers are NOT safe for use around birds and small pets

So, here’s the list of other air fryers and air fryer brands that we recommend with that disclaimer:

• Aria Air Fryers AAO-890 10Qt Air Fryer Oven
• BLACK+DECKER Crisp ‘N Bake Air Fry Toaster Oven
• Elite Gourmet EAF1010D
• Elite Gourmet EAF4700
• Geek Chef Air Fryer Oven
• Geek Chef Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo
• GoWISE USA GW44800-O Deluxe
• hOmeLabs 11.6 Quart XXL 8-in-1 Air Fryer Oven
• Instant Omni Pro
• Ninja SP101 Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven
• Oster Copper-Infused DuraCeramic
• Oster Digital Air Fryer Oven with RapidCrisp
• Pampered Chef Deluxe Air Fryer
• PowerXL Air Fryer Oven 12 QT with 8-in-1
• Power XL Vortex Air Fryer 5-qt
• PowerXL Air Fryer Grill
• Rosewill RHCO-19001 Electric Air Fryer
• VAL CUCINE 10-in-1 Smart Air Fryer
• WEESTA Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo

How To Choose Safer Appliances and Cookware

It is common knowledge at this point that continuous exposure to PFAS and other “forever chemicals” can cause cancer.

The PFAS class of chemicals also includes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). While most appliances today are PFOA-free, PTFE is present in most. You may know this chemical as Teflon, which is included in many home and kitchen appliances and used for coating surfaces.

You can find the complete list of dangerous chemicals here, but what’s important for this article is what you should look for in air fryers to check if it contains toxic materials.

Nonstick Coating

Almost all nonstick coating today is made from Teflon. It’s the “default” compound to use nowadays.

Normally, Teflon is safe to have around in packaging, textile, furniture, etc. It’s a stable chemical compound that doesn’t leak toxic chemicals into the environment, according to the studies.

However, when used in cookware, it can become really dangerous. The thing is, at temperatures above 500°F (260°C), Teflon starts breaking up and releasing toxic chemicals into the air and food. And these temps aren’t rare for air fryers.

So, the general recommendation is to avoid any air fryer that mentions using nonstick coating without specifics.

Ceramic Non-Stick Coatings

Manufacturers know teflon may be dangerous to use in air fryers and air fryer accessories. That’s why they start looking for healthier substitutes. Let me tell you more about it.

First, you need to know that a so-called “ceramic” coating isn’t made of ceramic and isn’t related to it in any way. It’s a marketing branding for metal surfaces coated with multiple layers of silica (silicium-dioxide).

Without getting too much into the details about the technology, you should know that “ceramic” coating is much safer than teflon. According to the studies, this material doesn’t have any negative effects on the human body.

But it’s not the coating that’s important here. Here’s the thing:

The ceramic coating consists of multiple very thin layers. And when those layers are destroyed by, for example, scratching the surface, metal leaking happens, and if the thing is made from aluminum or aluminum alloys, food gets exposed to it and can negatively affect your health.

Here’s what you should know about this:

Aluminum Food Contact Surfaces

When picking a non-toxic air fryer, make sure it’s using stainless steel and not aluminum as a base layer for all surfaces, including the inner cooking space and accessories.

The thing is, aluminum alloys are proven to be bad for your health. Continuous increased aluminum exposure can cause cancer and have neuro-degenrative effects. It’s especially dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause problems with fetus development.

Now, that does sound terrifying. But is it really that dangerous?

Well, it depends. Most studies show a serious negative effect from the continuous use of bare aluminum cookware that comes into direct contact with the food. The surface that comes into contact with food is way bigger than a bunch of scratches on a ceramic-coated old tray.

So, can scratches on aluminum-based surface lead to any serious consequences? It’s very unlikely. If you replace the damaged cookware, you’re absolutely safe.

On top of that, most air fryers and accessories are made of stainless steel anyway.

Plastic Smell

When we were doing our research on the safest non toxic air fryers, many customers reported a stinky plastic smell that was coming out of a new air fryer.

Is it something to be afraid of? Yes and no.

If the manufacturer mentions this, chances are that the smell will go after one or two uses. It’s not very troubling. It can be the packaging or something else. If it disappears after the first use, it’s fine.

However, some air fryer owners reported a constant smell even after the first few uses. We recommend avoiding those air fryers altogether.

Safest Non Toxic BPA Free Air Fryers Buying Guide

If you’re looking for a good BPA free air fryer, the most important thing for you when picking one is probably safety and overall healthiness of the food cooked.

This was our most important criterion as well. But being safe doesn’t mean being the best. Most of the air fryers are FDA certified and won’t harm your health if you use them properly.

Keep reading if you want to learn more about BPA free air fryers.

What’s the deal with BPA?

BPA stands for Bisphenol A. It’s a chemical that’s used in the production of polycarbonate plastics (like bottles, for example).

Although some people believe BPA can cause cancer, it is not entirely true. There’s no evidence that this is the case, and the FDA maintains that it’s safe for approved uses in food containers and packaging.

So, according to FDA, BPA is safe for an average adult, and its effect is negligible.

But you can never be too safe, right? Here are a couple of rules that can keep you and your family safe from BPA and elements alike:

1. Do not microwave polycarbonate plastic food and/or water containers. Plastics can break down under the constant influence of high temperatures.
2. Use BPA-free bottles and containers for babies. Full-grown adults can’t be affected by BPA, but there’s evidence that high levels of BPA in babies’ organisms can affect their health.
3. When possible, use glass or stainless steel containers for your food especially if it’s hot.

All air fryers in our list do not have any plastic elements that would come into contact with food in any way. The baskets are stainless steel with ceramic coating or chrome plating.

Plastic body of some air fryers should not affect cooking in any way. If you prefer avoiding this problem altogether, please choose stainless steel options only.

Now that we know FDA approved products are safe and do not contain BPA in elements that contact with food, you might want to ask yourself:

What’s up with all these “BPA FREE” claims from manufacturers about their products?

We only can answer with this picture:

It’s (almost) all marketing fluff.

What is Proposition 65 warning? Are there air fryers without prop 65 warning?

Proposition 65 is a Californian law that requires manufacturers to include a warning about dangerous chemicals that may be in their products.

So far so good.

The problem arises when you see the list of possibly dangerous chemicals. It includes approx. 900 chemicals that can be included in most products. So manufacturers are putting the label on everything just in case.

For example, alcohol can cause birth defects. So, if the product contains alcohol, it should be labeled with a warning.

See where this coming?

You won’t be able to find an air fryer that doesn’t have a Prop 65 warning attached that was made in California. If the product was made elsewhere, it won’t have the label. But that doesn’t mean it’s safer.

The actual parameters that you should take into account when picking a safe air fryer

For safety, make sure the air fryer doesn’t have any non BPA free components that contact with food. Almost always the only things that you should care are the baskets and the trays. And both of them are made from stainless steel. Which is fine. You’re safe.

For sizing, you need to think about how many servings you can cook in an air fryer in one batch.

Typically, smaller air fryers with under 3 qt capacity are meant to prepare food for 1-2 people. Larger ones, that have 4-7 qt capacity are typically used in families of 3-5 people. The biggest air fryers are oven-style ones and supposed to be used for cooking large batches of food for big families or other groups of people (a party, for example.)

The large ones usually have more accessories and are multifunctional. You can make a rotisserie chicken, or dehydrate fruits and vegetables in it, etc.

Other things to consider if you’re too picky and don’t want to blindly trust a random article on the internet:

• Take a look at their functionality and features. See if you like them.
• Is there enough counter space? How big is the air fryer’s footprint?
• Ease of cleaning. Some are easier than others.
• Noise level. Typically, they’re not noisy, but you might want to read through a couple of reviews on Amazon before buying. It’s too subjective for us to decide.
• Accessories. There’s usually a list in the product description.

There are also different prices and designs, but that’s a too subjective topic to discuss here.

Is Chrome Plated Steel Safe for Cooking?

Yes, chrome plated steel is completely safe for cooking and food. It is widely used in machinery for food processing and doesn’t contain any toxic materials. It is basically a thin layer of chromium applied over a steel base to prevent it from rusting and corrosion. Many manufacturers of chrome plated products are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, so it’s completely safe.

What Air Fryers We Didn’t Like

• Beautiful 6qt Digital Air Fryer with Touch-Activated Display
• Beautiful 9qt TriZone Air Fryer
• Bella Pro 6.3 qt Air Fryer Touchscreen
• Cafe Couture Oven with Air Fryer (C9OAAAS4RW3)
• Calphalon Performance Counterop French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven
• Cosori Smart Air Fryer Toaster Oven
• Cosori CP158-AF, CP137-AF (Pro Air Fryer)
• Cosori CP358-AF (Pro II Air Fryer)
• Cosori CS358-AF (Smart Air Fryer)
• Dash Chef Series 23 L Air Fryer Oven
• Dash Air Crisp Pro Digital
• Dreo Air Fryer Pro Max
• Farberware Air Fryer Toaster Oven
• Galanz Digital Toaster Oven with TotalFry 360
• GoWISE USA GW22954 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer
• Gourmia Air Fryer Oven Digital Display 6 Quart Large Air Fryer
• Innsky Air Fryer 5.8QT, 1700W Stainless Steel Air Fryer Oven
• Instant Vortex 4-in-1, 2-QT Mini Air Fryer Oven Combo
• Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer Oven
• Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 2-Basket Air Fryer
• NuWave Pro Plus Oven
• PowerXL Air Fryer 7 QT Maxx Classic
• Rosewill RHAF-16003V3 5.8-QT XL Air Fryer
• Secura Air Fryer XL 5.3 Quart Air Fryer

Our Final Verdict

The best and safest air fryer we recommend you buy is Ninja DT 201. It has the best reputation among customers, have good reviews and nice features.

Looking for a compact option? Go for Dash.

Large family? Pick a Big Boss Oil-less air fryer. Or the largest oven-style option of Instant Vortex plus.