Low-Tox Air Fryers: Four Options Worth Considering

Low-Tox Air Fryers: Four Options Worth Considering

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen essential, and it’s easy to see why. They cook quickly, make delicious crispy food with little oil, and can be handy for everything from roast vegetables to pizza, kebabs and homemade chips.

But if, like me, you’re trying to reduce unnecessary chemicals and choose more carefully what comes into contact with your food, you might be wondering whether your air fryer is the best option for your kitchen.

After looking into several brands, I decided to purchase a Cuisinart Air Crisp Pro Combi Oven.

Here are four options worth looking at, along with a few things to consider before buying.

What makes an air fryer a lower-tox option?

One of the first things I look at is the material that comes into direct contact with food.

Many conventional air fryers have baskets with non-stick coatings. These can be convenient for cooking and cleaning, but some coatings are made using PTFE, which belongs to a large family of chemicals called PFAS. PFOA is another chemical associated with the historical manufacture of some non-stick coatings.

This doesn't mean every non-stick appliance is automatically unsafe. The materials used, how the product is manufactured and how it is used all matter. However, if you prefer to minimise contact between your food and non-stick coatings, it makes sense to look at alternatives.

Stainless steel and glass are two materials worth considering. Ideally, look for clear information about the cooking surfaces, baskets, trays and racks, rather than relying on terms such as “healthy” or “non-toxic” in the product description.

Remember that a glass cooking bowl doesn't mean the entire appliance is made from glass. The housing, handles, electrical components and accessories may use other materials, so it's worth checking the details of each model.

1. Cuisinart Air Crisp Pro Combi Oven

My choice - and one I’m really enjoying.

After comparing several options, I decided to buy the Cuisinart Air Crisp Pro Combi Oven. It looks more like a small benchtop oven than a traditional drawer-style air fryer, which appealed to me, and it offers a good selection of cooking functions.

One of the main reasons I chose it is the stainless steel interior and stainless steel cooking accessories. The product listing also describes it as PFOA- and PTFE-free.

I picked mine up at Costco for $235 when it was on special about a month ago. Prices and availability will vary, but it's worth keeping an eye out for a good deal.

What's included?

The Cuisinart Air Crisp Pro (model TOA-75XA) comes with three main cooking accessories:

Stainless steel baking tray for baking and catching drips.

Stainless steel air-fry basket for cooking foods with hot air circulating around them.

Stainless steel cooking rack for grilling, roasting and other oven functions.

These removable accessories are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup easier.

Special features

The oven has a 17-litre capacity and a digital touch display, with a temperature range of approximately 90°C to 230°C.

Its cooking functions include air frying, roasting, baking, pizza, slow cooking, dehydrating, toasting, grilling, reheating, proofing, warming and dual cooking. The dual-cook function lets you programme two cooking stages in sequence, so the oven can automatically move from one setting to the next.

It also has dual-speed convection, designed to circulate hot air efficiently for quicker, more even cooking. The compact oven format makes it versatile enough for everyday meals, and it can fit a pizza up to around 30cm or a small roast chicken.

I like that it combines several appliances into one, without relying on a conventional non-stick cooking basket.

You can find the model and its specifications through Fackelmann Housewares, the Cuisinart distributor in New Zealand. Stockists and prices may change, so it's worth shopping around.

2. Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer

A great option if you prefer glass cooking bowls.

A friend of mine bought the Ninja Crispi and loves it. I can see the appeal, particularly if you'd rather cook in glass than in a traditional coated air-fryer basket.

Unlike the Cuisinart, this is a portable system with a detachable heating unit that sits on top of its glass container.

What's included?

The Ninja Crispi system includes:

A 1.4-litre CleanCrisp glass container for smaller, individual meals.

A 3.8-litre CleanCrisp glass container for larger meals.

A crisper plate for each container.

A removable container adaptor for using the heating unit with the larger bowl.

Two storage lids for keeping food in the fridge or taking it with you.

A recipe book and cooking charts.

The containers are designed to be used for cooking and then storing leftovers, and the system is designed to nest together for easier storage. Ninja describes the glass containers as thermal-shock-resistant.

Special features

The Ninja Crispi offers four functions: air fry, roast, recrisp and keep warm.

The larger 3.8-litre bowl can accommodate a small roast chicken with vegetables, while the smaller one is handy for cooking a quick lunch or a meal for one.

The glass bowls are a particularly appealing feature for anyone who wants to avoid a conventional non-stick cooking basket. Just remember that the crisper plates are separate components, so check their materials and care instructions if you want to avoid particular coatings.

All the listed accessories are dishwasher-safe, and the system has fixed heat-protection feet to help protect benchtops.

It's a more compact, flexible option than a traditional benchtop oven, although its two bowl sizes may not suit everyone.

See the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 on the official New Zealand website for current specifications and availability.

3. Healthy Choice 6.5L Glass Digital Air Fryer

Recommended by Sarah from Low Toxin Rabbit

This model has a removable glass cooking bowl, giving you a larger-capacity alternative to the Ninja's portable system.

What's included?

The Healthy Choice AFG605 comes with:

A 6.5-litre detachable glass basket.

A stainless steel mesh tray insert.

A heatproof mat or trivet to protect your benchtop.

The glass basket and stainless steel insert are listed as dishwasher-safe.

Special features

This air fryer has digital touch controls, a timer and adjustable temperature settings from 40°C to 200°C. Its cooking options include air fry, bake, defrost, dehydrate, grill, reheat and roast, giving it plenty of versatility beyond cooking chips.

It also includes automatic shut-off and overheat protection.

One thing to be aware of is that the appliance has a plastic outer housing, even though the main cooking bowl is glass. The listing identifies the cooking insert as stainless steel, but if you want to avoid particular materials throughout the food-contact area, check the details of the model and included accessories before purchasing.

It's worth considering if you want a glass-bowl air fryer with a larger capacity and straightforward digital controls.

You can check the Healthy Choice 6.5L Glass Digital Air Fryer at Harvey Norman New Zealand.

4. Russell Hobbs Air Fry Crisp'N Baker Toaster Oven

A versatile benchtop option 

The other option Sarah recommends is the Russell Hobbs Air Fry Crisp'N Baker Toaster Oven. Rather than having a removable glass bowl, this model is a traditional-style mini oven that also has an air-fry function.

What's included?

The Russell Hobbs RHTOV25 comes with:

An air-fry basket.

A baking rack.

A baking pan.

The air-fry basket has three adjustable rack positions, allowing you to position food for different types of cooking.

Special features

With a 20-litre capacity, it can fit a pizza up to around 30cm or six slices of bread. Its five main cooking functions are air fry, bake, grill, toast and keep warm.

It has convection cooking, a 60-minute timer with a stay-on function, and adjustable temperature control up to approximately 220°C. The larger oven-style design makes it useful for more than just air frying, particularly if you like the idea of combining a toaster oven and an air fryer in one appliance.

The important consideration for a lower-tox kitchen: the retailer's listing doesn't clearly identify the material or coating of every food-contact rack and tray. If avoiding non-stick coatings is your priority, I'd check with Russell Hobbs before buying rather than assume all the accessories are stainless steel.

You can see the Russell Hobbs Air Fry Crisp'N Baker at Briscoes.

A few tips for using your air fryer

Choosing the right materials is one part of the picture, but how you cook matters, too.

Avoid overcooking. Air frying uses hot air, and high-temperature cooking can form acrylamide in starchy foods such as potatoes. Aim for a light golden colour rather than very dark, heavily browned chips or roast potatoes. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has some useful advice on reducing acrylamide in food.

Keep appliances clean. Remove crumbs and food residue regularly, and follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions. Don't use damaged accessories or continue cooking with a coating that is peeling or flaking.

Use good ventilation. As with other cooking appliances, allow heat to escape safely and ventilate your kitchen while cooking.

Check all the food-contact materials. If you're trying to avoid PTFE or other coatings, look beyond the main basket. Trays, racks and crisper plates matter, too.

Which low-tox air fryer would I choose?

For me, the Cuisinart Air Crisp Pro Combi Oven was the right choice because it combines a stainless steel interior and stainless steel cooking accessories with the versatility of a small oven. I'm enjoying having several cooking functions in one appliance.

If you prefer glass, the Ninja Crispi is an appealing compact option, while the Healthy Choice Glass Digital Air Fryer offers a larger 6.5-litre cooking bowl.

The Russell Hobbs Crisp'N Baker is worth considering if you want a multifunctional benchtop oven, but I'd confirm the materials used for its trays and basket first.

There isn't one perfect appliance for every kitchen. Think about what you cook, how much bench space you have, which materials you're comfortable with and how easy the appliance will be to clean.

For me, it's about making practical choices that fit into everyday life, rather than trying to make every purchase perfect.

As always, check the manufacturer's latest specifications and care instructions before buying, as product details and included accessories can change.