Best Air Fryer Without Teflon, Non-Toxic, Safest [APR 2024]

In response to the concerns of potential and current air fryer users, we have curated a list of the best non-toxic air fryers.

The potential use of toxic materials in air fryers, particularly Teflon (PTFE and PFOA), has raised health concerns. Traditionally used in cookware and utensils for its non-stick coating, recent research has pointed out various health hazards associated with Teflon.

Based on our tests and experience, each of the units we added to the list performed reasonably well. However, we consider Ninja AF101 to be the top-performing among them. See our picks for the best dual basket air fryers and the best ceramic air fryers.

Best Non-Toxic Air Fryer Without Teflon, BPA, PFOA, PFAS

This air fryer has been in my kitchen for several months now, never taking a day off. I wonder why I waited so long to try this masterpiece.

Famous for their non-toxicity and ceramic coating, Ninja air fryers are always ahead of the game, and the Ninja AF101 is no different. It features a ceramic-coated, non-stick basket and crisper plate.

The basket may not have a large capacity suitable for making family meals, but it’s a champ for everyday crisping. But if you want to host guests, consider one of the larger units from Ninja, like DZ201 Foodi, that can handle feasts.

Compared to the Ninja 161’s 14.75″ height, the Ninja AF101 has a medium-height profile (13.3” height). I could easily slide the unit under the kitchen cabinets.

Now, let’s talk about freedom.

The long extension cord doesn’t confine me to cooking near the power plug zone. The control panel? That’s what makes this air fryer a breeze to use, perfectly reflecting the preferences of its users. 

The only drawback is its beeping noise, which can be a problem for noise-sensitive users. On the bright side, it is like the chef’s gentle nudge, telling you when it is time to serve the hot and steamy food. You can read detailed review here.

Cosori Pro II, known as Cosori Max XL in Canada—has the same impressive features but a slightly different name.

Let’s talk about the display.

Its display is big, bright, and ergonomic. We loved its slanting design with self-explanatory buttons that make it easier to look at the display and change the cook settings.

Using the presets on the cooking appliance can save you from the hassle of punching in details every time. Here is the best part—you can leave the air fryer running on the counter and still see the time and temperature from a distance. 

Even when you dislike cooking (we all have those days), this beautiful thing on your countertop can rekindle your lost desire to make finger-licking food. Now, a bit about the shake reminder. You can select the shake reminder feature according to what you are cooking; that’s what enhances the overall convenience.

The square-shaped basket is spacious enough to fit 4lb. chicken and makes veggies and fries for 3-4 people. Just a heads up, though—if you're into steaks that have hog space, be ready to cook in batches for more people.

If you want a slightly bigger air fryer with a smart cooking function, consider the Cosori Pro III—another beast from the Cosori. Click here to read full review.

Ninja AF161, 5.5-Quart is the slightly bigger and cooler sibling of the Ninja AF 101.

Now, why do we like this air fryer so much?

First off, it is easy to use. In addition to what you get in Ninja AF101, ninja AF161 offers air broil, max crisp, and bake features.

And the food?

It comes out perfect every time. I have said my goodbyes to sad, undercooked nuggets or burnt disasters. On top of that, if you are anything like me who appreciates kitchen aesthetics, Ninja AF161 ticks that box too.

Its glossy gray exterior makes it a fashion statement. The 8.25” diameter is a good size for a basket—nothing huge, but not too small either. The only gripe is that it’s round. I would have loved a square basket for that extra dash of style.

Once done with cooking, I was delighted to find that nothing stuck to the basket (thank you, ceramic coating). It's just what I wanted. A word of caution: While the top does not get very hot, the sides and front get a bit warm. Be particularly careful about the back of the unit—it can get scorching. Read Ninja AF161 full review.

Instant Vortex boasts a BPA, PTFE, and PFOA-free design with plastic and stainless steel construction for a healthy cooking experience. The 6-quart size is just perfect for two to four people. 

The unit beautifully strikes a balance between accommodating generous portions for the whole family and sitting comfortably on the countertop. The air fryer cooks so fast that even doing multiple rounds is not a pain.

The user interface and controls on this kitchen appliance get rolling easily with no complicated settings. Its display is well-lit and bright, and the touch is extremely smooth. Even my grandma, who's still getting the hang of smartphones, can use this like a pro.

Now, a thing that offended us a bit was its reheating function. It is good but underperforming when compared to microwave. Now, a little secret. When I first used it, there was a faint plastic smell. It's not a deal-breaker, though –the smell is completely harmless and goes away easily.

A quick TIP: Thoroughly washing the parts and running the air fryer empty at max heat level does the trick.

Thanks to its non-stick coating, cleaning is a breeze. This feature makes this air fryer a real-time-saver. Read detailed review HERE.

NUWAVE Brio is a sleek and fully programmable air fryer. It has a unique parallelogram profile that screams sophistication. The intuitive digital controls on top of the unit make it a cinch to punch in the exact temperature and time settings.

I appreciate that Nuwave has paid attention to making this air fryer completely non-toxic. The racks on this healthy appliance are made of never-rust reversible stainless steel. This means your food doesn't come into contact with harmful and toxic materials.

With six preset cooking options, three wattage settings, and a treasure trove of 100 pre-programmed recipes, it’s like having a chef 24/7. NUWAVE Brio comes with a large temperature probe that accurately tells you when the food is cooked to perfection and is ready to serve.

With an 8-quart capacity, the NUWAVE Brio is bigger than the Cosori Pro Smart air fryer. Here is the kicker: they both have exactly the same price tag.

To be honest, I miss controlling Nuwave Brio through Alexa or Google Assistant. But looking at its flawless results, I am willing to trade a bit of hands-free convenience. A Fair warning: With measurements like 15.1″x 16.5″ x 13.1″, finding a permanent spot on the countertop can be challenging.

We found the COSORI Pro III when searching for an air fryer that allowed hands-free cooking, as our list lacked such a unit. Setting it up with an Alexa device was no no-brainer. And the way it seamlessly responds to Alexa gives your kitchen an entry to the future.

The user interface is clean and easy to navigate, both manually and through the app. The bright screen has everything that I need to set my cooking requirements. Its cooking results are delightful—better than expected.

We particularly enjoyed COSORI Pro III’s crisping; it can easily give KFC and MacDonald a chase for their money. Other features like bake and roast worked just as well.

Thanks to its dual heating element design, you can forget about flipping or shaking food midway. With this air fryer, you might easily find yourself using it every day for everything from snacking to course meals.

A word of caution: There is a learning curve with regard to perfecting time and temperature settings as it works faster than anticipated. Read detailed review.

Cooking and reviewing air fryers is my passion. I am delighted that I tried the Dreo 4-quart medium-sized air fryer in my lab. I was drawn to its sleek and compact profile, effortlessly claiming its space in a corner on my kitchen counter.

This little powerhouse has 9 cooking functions and packs a punch when it comes to whipping up delicious recipes in minimal time. Operating it is a pure joy and a breeze thanks to its intuitive touchscreen display.

A standout feature for us was the shake reminder— In this price tag, not all air fryers have this handy option. The crisper plate and the basket are BPA-free and PFOA-free. They are FDA-approved and ETL-certified, making this unit a totally healthy kitchen appliance for human use.

A tiny gripe? The presets are not labeled with words, so older people may find it a little hard to understand the shapes. We all know an air fryer’s size matters. I highly recommend this model if you need an air fryer for 2 or 3 people.

But if you want a large size, you can go for Dreo 6 or 6.8 QT. However, be prepared for a heftier price tag that comes with a bigger unit.

Now, let's talk about Nuwave Brio—the superhero for family feasts. Nuwave Brio 15.5-Qt air fryer will give you peace of mind when preparing meals for family gatherings. Here is the fun part—it is not just an air fryer.

It can be your favorite compact baking oven, the perfect rotisserie chicken maker, and your go-to toaster. Now, let’s look at the nitty gritty. The never-rust stainless steel accessories are durable and long-lasting. Most importantly, they don’t flake off and ruin your food.

With its four cooking layers, this versatile air fryer oven can help you cook multiple dishes when throwing a party. Compared to its big brother, Nuwave 30 QT, it is priced a little higher. But on the bright side, you get a grilling option with a reversible grilling rack, a feature absent in the Nuwave Brio XL.

Cleaning this unit can be a bit of a hassle. The door catches a lot of drippings when you take out the racks. To minimize the mess, I recommend using parchment paper (That’s what I did) and cleaning the door after each cooking cycle. Check detailed review.

If you often host guests but struggle to whip up a nice meal in less time, Chefman’s 6.3 Quart Digital Air Fryer can offer help. Made with high-quality BPA-free plastic, it combines efficiency and safety.

With this cooking appliance, you can air fry, dehydrate, broil, bake, roast, and rotisserie, to name a few. All these cooking functions are complemented with an auto-shutoff feature.

What sets this unit apart is the odor filter, which isn’t available in any other air fryer that we have reviewed. So, no matter what you cook, unpleasant odors won’t affect your experience. The brightly lit display keeps you informed about the remaining cooking time. 

The drip tray is its stand-out feature, designed with the same dimensions as the bottom of the unit. This design ensures that anything dripping lands on the tray.

What got on my nerves about this air fryer was its cleaning. The absence of the removable door makes the unit difficult to clean. However, I believe its streamlined design and perfect cooking are well worth the trade-off in terms of cleaning ease. To read detailed review click here.

Buying Guide for Choosing A Safest Air Fryer

Here is the buying guide if you plan on buying the best non-toxic air fryer in the near future.

PTFE and PFOA-free

When buying the best non-toxic air fryer, the primary parameter is to check whether it is PTFE and PFOA-free.

PFOA, a harmful chemical, is essential for making non-stick coatings like Teflon. 

The formation of PFOA is already banned in the US due to the toxic pollution it causes in the environment. 

PFOA can cause many mild to severe health hazards, including tumors, heart diseases, low birth weight, etc.

As for PTFE, it can result in flu-like symptoms in humans and is harmful to birds.

Therefore, when buying the best air fryer without toxins, ensure these compounds are not part of any component or accessories.

Size Of The Air Fryer

Consider the number of people you can serve per batch of cooking before selecting an air fryer.

If you have a small family (3 to 5 people), go with a small (3 to 4 Qt.) air fryer.

But families who frequently entertain guests (luncheons, parties) or have more mouths to feed in the house should choose an air fryer bigger than 5 to 6 Qt.

Another option is to consider a multifunctional oven-style air fryer like Ninja SP101, which gives wider space for hassle-free cooking.

Construction Material

Most air fryers are made with plastic and have metal accessories such as baskets and trays.

It is essential to be wary of cheap and low-quality plastic, as it may release harmful chemicals at high temperatures.

These chemicals are neither good for your health nor your environment. Opting for a high-quality air fryer with BPA-free plastic is wise.

Price

Price is a crucial factor to consider when buying a good air fryer.

Usually, the more features an air fryer has, the more expensive it is.

Before initiating the shopping process, set a budget, determining the amount you can spend on an air fryer.

This will help you shortlist the air fryers according to their price tag.

Factors That Make An Air Fryer Non-Toxic

• Air fryer baskets, crisper trays, and food-contact surfaces must be free from PFAS.
• The removable parts must be Bisphenols, lead, and cadmium-free, ensuring safety from leaching of harmful chemicals or out-gassing at high temperatures.
• Air fryers claiming to be non-stick must use a ceramic coating.
• Non-reactive elements like stainless steel, glass, and chrome-plated steel must be used.
• The exterior of the air fryer must be made with polished stainless steel (for easy cleaning) or BPA-free, high-quality plastic.

FAQs

What are the best and safest air fryers?

1. Ninja AF101 Compact Air Fryer
2. COSORI Air Fryer Oven Pro II
3. Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer
4. Instant Vortex Plus Smart Air Fryer
5. NUWAVE Brio Air Fryer Oven Combo
6. COSORI Pro III Air Fryer Dual Blaze
7. Dreo Air Fryer Under $100
8. Nuwave Brio Air Fryer Rotisserie Oven
9. Chefman Digital Air Fryer

Do all air fryers have a Prop 65 warning?

No, not all air fryers have Prop 65 cautioning notice by manufacturers about the presence of dangerous chemicals in the air fryer parts.

You won't find this warning on all air fryers because it is a Californian law only.

So any fryer that doesn’t come from or is sold in California may not have this warming. But not having the warning label does not mean the product is unsafe to use.

Is the Ninja air fryer coated with Teflon?

No, the Ninja air fryer is not coated with Teflon. Its accessories are non-stick ceramic coated which is labeled as PTFE/PFOA-free.

Ninja Air fryer models are mostly FDA-approved and safe for use. If you want to learn more, check our detailed article, does Ninja air fryer have Teflon?

Does the Powerxl air fryer have Teflon?

No, the Powerxl air fryer does not contain Teflon. Any product which does not contain PFOA is Teflon-free. PowerXL air fryers are tested and FDA-approved, meaning they comply with safe cooking standards.

What is the non-stick coating on the air fryer?

The non-stick coating on an air fryer can be of many types. Some air fryers have Teflon coating made from PFAS chemicals and PTFE.

Others have a ceramic coating, which is PTFE/PFOA-free. Teflon is harmful to health. Therefore, most air fryer manufacturers are moving towards ceramic or stainless steel.  

Are Teflon-coated air fryers safe?

Teflon coating is not safe for cooking. Teflon or PTFE coating releases harmful gasses, fumes, and chemicals when its heat level is raised to normal cooking temperature. These harmful elements can cause mild to severe toxicity.

Are Teflon and PTFE the same thing?

Yes, both are the same thing. PTFE is the abbreviated version of the chemical polytetrafluoroethylene, and Teflon is the trade name used for this chemical. This polymer is heat, chemical, and electrical-resistant; therefore, extensively used in lining the surfaces of cookware and kitchen utensils.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, we should avoid chemicals like Teflon in kitchen appliances such as air fryers. While the options of a completely non-toxic air fryer are minimal, we have still tried our best to bring the best non-toxic air fryers to one place. The above-mentioned air fryers have components that are either made of stainless steel or have a ceramic coating. Both of these materials are safe for human use.