March 13, 2025, 2:43 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
A damaged non-stick coating can pose health risks — and this applies not only to pans but also to the basket of an air fryer. But how can this be avoided, and which alternatives are safer?
Hot air fryers have been in great demand for some time now. This is no wonder, as they allow for gentler preparation, are versatile, and do not require frying oil. However, regular use can lead to scratches in the basket of the hot air fryer. In this article, you can find out what health effects a scratched air fryer can have and what to do if this happens.
What You Should Do If Your Air Fryer Is Scratched
The basket of many air fryer models has a non-stick coating that may contain perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). As soon as scratches appear, these potentially harmful substances can pass into the food, as nutrition expert Sophie Brünke explains at FITBOOK (which, like myHOMEBOOK, is part of Axel Springer).
If the basket is visibly scratched, you should, therefore, stop using it. Ideally, you should look around for a replacement part or ask the manufacturer.
How to Avoid Scratches
If you take the right precautions and use the right utensils, you can prevent scratches from occurring in the hot air fryer — similar to Teflon pans. Brünke recommends only using wooden or silicone cooking utensils when preparing food in the air fryer. This prevents damage to the material, which can quickly occur with metal spatulas or forks.
Alternatively, you can look for models with stainless steel or ceramic baskets when buying. There are many different models on the market. Parts made from these materials are generally more robust and last longer. These alternatives can be worthwhile, especially if the air fryer is used regularly.
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Will the Good Old Oven Do?
In most cases, an air fryer is bought as a supplement to the oven. Some people ask themselves whether it is worth buying one if they could also use the oven — which does not release any harmful substances.
An air fryer uses hot air for cooking — just like a convection oven. However, due to the smaller cooking space and stronger airflow, the hot air fryer can shorten the preparation time and be more energy-efficient for small portions. On the other hand, those who regularly cook larger quantities often save more electricity with the oven. The crispy texture is also achieved in the oven — albeit not quite as intensively.