Air fryers have become a kitchen staple in millions of households, but experts are raising concerns about the potential health risks posed by the non-stick coatings used in many models. The coatings often contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as 'forever chemicals' due to their persistence in the environment and the human body.
A comprehensive 2025 review published in the journal Life linked long-chain PFAS exposure to lipid disorders, hypertension, thyroid disorders, infertility, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and kidney and liver damage. Data from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found detectable PFAS levels in over 95% of the US population, with the chemicals also present in breast milk and umbilical cord blood.
Dr Hannah Moody, Director of Research and Engagement at Breast Cancer UK, said that while PFAS exposure from air fryers is relatively low, it still adds to the cumulative chemical load from everyday sources. 'Although the amount you're exposed to from air fryers on its own is likely too small to harm your health, it still matters. That's because it adds to the many different chemicals we come into contact with in our everyday lives,' she explained.
The risk increases when the coating is scratched or worn, which can occur through use of metal utensils or abrasive cleaning. A 2024 study found that prolonged heating above 250°C affected the internal structure of PTFE-coated cookware, a temperature some air fryers can reach. A 2023 study in EBioMedicine reported a 56% increased rate of thyroid cancer diagnosis per doubling of a key PFAS compound in plasma.
Legislators are taking action, with Minnesota becoming the first US state to ban PFAS-coated non-stick cookware in January 2025, and several other states following suit. Many air fryer brands are switching to ceramic coatings marketed as PFAS-free, but Dr Moody cautioned that these may contain other potentially harmful chemicals such as siloxane and titanium dioxide, which manufacturers are not legally required to disclose.
Dr Moody recommended safer alternatives such as stainless steel or cast iron cookware to avoid PFAS and other chemical coatings altogether.
