TikTok Myth of the Week: You Need a “Non-Toxic” Air Fryer

Posted on August 21, 2024 by resourcefulman

According to legions of TikTokers, I should throw out my deep fryer, and so should you. It is supposed to fill your body with “everlasting chemicals” and possibly cause cancer. However, these are unrealistic fears. Let’s uncover the truth and then see where this TikTok trend even came from.

Why TikTok Says Your Air Fryer is Dangerous

There are actually a few different theories in the Clock app about why air fryers are supposedly bad for you, but we’ll get to that in a minute. The main claim I see is about PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in the nonstick coating of the air fryer basket. Let’s break this down real quick:

Correct : Many air fryers have a PTFE-based nonstick coating (Teflon is one of the brand names).
Correct: PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a member of the chemical family known as PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances).
Truth: PFAS are linked to cancer.
Truth: PFAS are called “forever chemicals.”
Truth: Some air fryers are labeled as PFOA-free (PFOA is a type of PFAS).

…But…

Nonstick cookware has not been linked to cancer or other health problems.
“Forever chemo” doesn’t mean it will cause health problems forever (yes, that’s what people say).
PFOA has not been used in nonstick coatings since 2013, so you don’t have to look for a “PFOA-free” label to find PFOA-free cookware.
The molecules in PTFE coatings are bonded to each other and to the pan; under normal use they are not considered a significant source of PFAS.

The FDA considers the amount of PFAS that could migrate from nonstick coatings into food to be “negligible.” According to the Environmental Protection Agency, major sources of PFAS exposure include workplace exposure (for people who work with PFAS-based chemicals), water contamination, dust and dirt contamination, and wild fish and game from contaminated areas. Food may contain PFAS if it is grown or raised in contaminated areas or if it is packaged in materials coated with PFAS. There is some good news on the latter though: PFAS have recently been removed from food packaging – see this February 2024 announcement .

What if I’m still concerned about PFAS?

If this concerns you, I have an explanation about PFAS and how to avoid them. If your local water is contaminated, you may want to consider purchasing a filter that removes PFAS . Honestly, if you have a goal of “reduce my PFAS exposure” and start with the most logical steps, you’ll get through a very long list before you start worrying about your nonstick cookware.

And to be clear, air fryers aren’t the only nonstick kitchen items. All types of frying pans and pans are sold with PTFE non-stick coating. They’re still unlikely to pose any threat to your health , but you may start to wonder why all the TikTokers are warning you about air fryers and not their much more common cousin, the humble kitchen frying pan.

By the way, if you want to at least reduce the likelihood of exposure to PFAS from nonstick cookware, just try not to scratch it with metal cookware or use it in temperatures above 500 degrees. Following the instructions that came with your air fryer (or frying pan) will help you comply with these rules. For example, use silicone-tipped tongs to remove crispy treats from the air fryer.

What’s up with TikTok and air fryers?

Trying to understand why this myth is so popular, I asked some strange questions. Why air fryers and not frying pans? Why is the problem sometimes PFAS and sometimes another factor, like acrylamide or (in one particularly crazy case) the metal used in electrical cords? (You see, air fryers are electric). How do TikTokers benefit from fryer fear?

So I did what I always do and started clicking on TikTokers’ biolinks to see what they were selling. This was often a range of products, one category of which was “non-toxic air fryers.” This is a popular way to make money on social media: send clicks to stores and get a kickback if people buy something through your link.

Another influencer who posted a video about non-toxic air fryers used a slightly different tactic: He required you to enter your email address to view a guide to the best and worst air fryers. This guy was also selling business advice with bio links promoting ways to “get 1,000 new followers in 30 days” and build your “sales funnel.” I wonder how many of these tips involve scaring people about a product category and then convincing them to email you to find out which products in that category are safe.

Another TikToker connected his “community” to a video that otherwise contained little to no content. She passionately encouraged us to do our own research and vaguely mentioned that she had received “flak” for a previous video warning people against using air fryers. The community, of course, will explain everything. Is this a community? Registration at the lowest level costs $3 per month, all the way up to the $10,000 per month level (I promise, that’s not a typo).

So, why air fryers? Because they’re so trendy that they’re still rumored, so ingrained in the national cuisine that people would be shocked to find out there’s something wrong with them – and ultimately, everyone loves a good backlash story . Get enough people to watch and you’ll find something you can monetize.

Help, I’m worried about acrylamide right now.

Some TikTokers will tell you not to worry about PFAS, but will instead tell you that the real problem with air fryers is that the food they cook in them may contain acrylamide.

Acrylamide is a natural chemical that is formed when plant foods are baked, fried, or roasted. The FDA doesn’t recommend avoiding these products for health reasons (at least not for acrylamide; whether they suit your macros is another story). It can be found in both air-cooked and fried foods, especially if they are overcooked. So air fryers are nothing special when it comes to acrylamide. ( You can read more about my views on acrylamide here .)

So I don’t have to go out and buy a new deep fryer?

You don’t know. However, some TikTokers recommend that you get a toaster-style air fryer, and I agree with them on this one! Not because there is anything wrong with the coating on basket air fryers, but because having a good toaster oven is a pleasure and a joy.

I’ve never owned an item labeled “air fryer” because years ago my husband convinced me we needed a good toaster oven. My reaction was: How much counter space are we going to waste just so we can bake without turning on the oven in the summer?? But he was right, and now I use the toaster more often than a real oven all year round. This is toast. It bakes. This is a convection oven. This is the best way to reheat leftover pizza I’ve ever found (yes, better than a skillet). And it has a button labeled something like “high speed convection” that does the same thing as an air fryer. (It’s similar to this model .) It holds a lot more fried goodies than a regular basket-style air fryer. It’s worth every square inch of counter space.

If you ‘re looking for a new air fryer, we have a buying guide here . Consider your cooking habits and countertop space, but don’t worry about some models being more toxic than others.

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Nutrition