Air-frying equipment is not known to cause cancer, but the process of air frying does result in the formation of certain compounds, like acrylamide, that are linked to cancer development. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen.
Research has shown that air frying foods may result in a 75 to 90 percent reduction in the production of acrylamide compounds in comparison to deep-fat frying.
Acrylamide can be reduced by not cooking food at a too high temperature for too long. Consumers should aim for a golden yellow colour or lighter when frying (including air frying), baking, toasting or roasting food.
Air fryers themselves aren't a cause of cancer, but air frying does produce certain compounds such as acrylamide, which is considered a "probable" carcinogen. A carcinogen is a substance capable of causing cancer.
Air-frying reduced acrylamide content by about 90% compared with conventional deep-oil-frying without being necessary the application of a pretreatment.
The highest mean acrylamide concentration was found in French fries (724 µg/kg) followed by McDonald's menu (459.5 µg/kg), chicken cuttled sandwich (273 µg/kg), pizza (250 µg/kg) and flat bread (230µg/kg).
So if you often eat deep-fried foods, switching to an air fryer could be helpful. If you're cooking a food that you wouldn't normally add fat to when you cook it, whether that's ready-made oven chips, bacon, sausages or breaded chicken, being cooked in an air fryer is unlikely to make it healthier.
Baking foods to a golden yellow, or lighter colour, and at lower oven temperatures will reduce acrylamide levels. When cooking foods such as toast and toasted sandwiches do not over-toast or burn. Cooking bread to a golden colour, or lighter, will help to keep acrylamide levels lower.
Acrylamide forming substances (e.g., asparagine and reducing sugars) should be washed away from the surface of the potatoes and vegetables after they are cut by soaking them in water. Soaking them in water will reduce formation of acrylamide during frying.
The CPSC has received 205 reports of the air fryers catching fire, melting and overheating, including 10 reports detailing incidents of minor, superficial burns. Twenty-three of the reports detail incidents of property damage.
Nervous system effects such as muscle weakness, numbness in hands and feet, sweating, unsteadiness, and clumsiness were reported in some acrylamide workers. However, most people are not exposed to acrylamide levels high enough to cause these effects.
The major food sources of acrylamide are French fries and potato chips; crackers, bread, and cookies; breakfast cereals; canned black olives; prune juice; and coffee.
However, the amount of acrylamide in your average brewed coffee is 0.45 micrograms, according to a widely cited 2013 Swedish study. Compare this to the 39-82 micrograms of acrylamide that you'll find in your average serving of fast-food french fries, and that cup of coffee is looking less carcinogenic by the minute.
An air fryer gives foods that crispy, fried quality that a microwave just can't replicate. An air fryer is also a healthier option and speeds up the cooking time.
The halogen oven
Halogen ovens work by halogen bulbs in the lid releasing infrared heat which is circulated around a glass bowl by fans. Like air fryers, halogen ovens help to save energy in your home, cutting down your electricity bills.
Health. The air fryer uses minimal to no oil to cook food, whereas a microwave oven requires more oil to cook food. So, food cooked in an air fryer is more nutritious than in a microwave oven.
The pros at WIRED agree. According to their appliance expert, Samantha Cooper, “[air fryers] are loud … don't do anything significantly better than an oven … and they also require bumping your toaster and coffeemaker onto a storage shelf.”
The pros are that air fryers are versatile, easy-to-use, and very quick allowing you to make healthier food efficiently in your own kitchen. Despite this, these rather large devices quickly take up space on your kitchen counter or in your cupboards and can be tricky to clean.
The air fryer that has definitely stolen the spotlight today is the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven. The air fryer is BPA-free and lacks other harmful chemicals, including PTFE and PFOA. Its 10-quart capacity allows you to prep larger meals for huge gatherings and multiple occasions.
The highest acrylamide levels were observed with fried potatoes at 16 h in peanut oil, closely followed by canola oil at 16 h and 28 h or extra virgin olive oil at 24 h.
Acrylamide is found mainly in foods made from plants, such as potato products, grain products, or coffee. Acrylamide does not form, or forms at lower levels, in dairy, meat, and fish products.
Roasted coffee beans contain small quantities of a compound called acrylamide. In high amounts, acrylamide can be harmful. There are even concerns that it may also cause cancer. However, research suggests that drinking coffee in moderation is generally safe and may even have a range of health benefits.