Are Air Fryers Safe?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall notice on Feb. 23, 2023, for the voluntary recall of the first generation of Cosori air fryers and others. Manufacturer Etekcity recalled approximately 2 million Cosori air fryers because of a faulty wire connection in the device that may overheat and cause air fryers to melt, burn, overheat, catch fire and smoke.

The CPSC advises consumers to “immediately stop” using the Cosori air fryer and other recalled brands. These recalled air fryers may pose a kitchen safety risk. People have sustained burns or property damage from harmful products that caught fire or overheated.

Which Air Fryers Are Being Recalled?

Several different brands of air fryers have been recalled, including Cosori and Magic Chef. Some manufacturers have recalled multiple models of their air fryers. Recall notices have been posted on the manufacturers’ websites and the CPSC website.

Cosori air fryers were available for purchase in Best Buy, Target and The Home Depot brick and mortar stores nationwide. Customers may have also bought them online at Amazon, Adorama, Bed Bath and Beyond, Cosori, eBay, HomeGoods, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, Macy’s, QVC, Staples, Vesync, Walmart, Wayfair, Wellbots and Woot from June 2018 through December 2022.

Best Buy stores nationwide sold air fryers from Insignia that are now subject to recalls: Insignia Air Fryers, Insignia Analog Air Fryers and Insignia Digital Air Fryer Ovens. They were also available from eBay and Google. Sales occurred from November 2018 through February 2022.

Newair also recalled its Magic Chef Air Fryers. They were sold online at Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond, Walmart, Kohl’s, Home Depot, Bluestem, QVC, Wayfair, Newair, Overstock, Best Buy and eBay from July 2018 through September 2020.

The CPSC indicates there were 205 reports of Cosori air fryers and 104 reports (in the U.S. and Canada) of Insignia air fryers catching fire, burning, melting, overheating and smoking. There were 23 Cosori and seven Insignia reports of minor property damage. Additionally, there were 10 Cosori and 2 Insignia reports of injuries. One Insignia report included an injury to a child’s leg. Consumers may register with the CPSC on its website to receive ongoing air fryer recall notifications.

Experts have identified cancer risks related to high levels of certain chemicals found in some air fryers. Several models of air fryers contain polyfluorinated molecules, also known as “forever chemicals,” in the nonstick coating of the basket. Scientific studies have established the health risks of exposure to high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, showing links to health problems including infertility, hormone disruption and some types of cancer.

Research has linked exposure to high levels of PFAS to breast cancer as well. These chemicals have been shown to interfere with the production, release, transport and other actions of natural hormones in the body that maintain normal hormonal balance.

Despite the risks of PFAS exposure from air fryers, manufacturers and nutritionists argue that cooking with air fryers has some health benefits, especially as an alternative to deep-frying food. Air fryers use a fraction of the oil that regular frying requires.

Cooking with an air fryer may decrease your dietary trans fats, which contribute to “bad” cholesterol. Convection heat may preserve more nutrients than deep frying, which can lead to a healthier diet.

Consuming deep-fried food can contribute to diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. In addition, fried foods are high in acrylamide, a chemical present at higher levels in certain high-carbohydrate foods such as potatoes, especially when cooked for long periods of time at high temperatures. Acrylamide exposure may increase the risk of certain cancers, however, scientists agree on the need for more research to determine how acrylamides contribute to cancer risk.

Many highly rated air fryers contain PFAS nonstick coatings because they allow for easy cleanup and stain and grease resistance. However, to reduce PFAS exposure, purchase an air fryer with stainless steel or glass coatings.

Use a food thermometer to cook meat, poultry and egg products to the internal temperatures the United States Department of Agriculture recommends for food safety. Avoid cooking sprays with propellants. Instead, use an oil spray or pump with a high-flash-point oil.

Read the fryer’s user manual and don’t leave your appliance plugged in when not in use to avoid air fryer fires. Ensure you don’t touch it while it’s working unless you wear oven-safe mitts or a silicone glove.