The real story about air fryers: safer food preparation or unreported risks? View details

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Digital Desk: If you're good at cooking healthily and want to stay away from the excess oil that comes with deep-frying, you may have looked to the popular air fryer as the answer. This countertop cooking equipment simulates the texture of deep-fried favorites by pumping hot air around the meal, promising crispy results with little to no oil.

Thanks to their versatility, air fryers may be used for everything from traditional chicken dishes to creative recipes like oil-free puris. On the other hand, new internet debates concerning the safety of air fryers have connected them to a number of illnesses, including cancer.

Experts join in, pointing out that Teflon coatings made without the hazardous compound perfluorooctanoic acid are used in the majority of air fryers produced after 2013, guaranteeing their safety for use in cooking. A closer look reveals a possible drawback, though.

The problem stems from the materials that are usually used to cover air fryers—ceramic and plastic. These materials have the potential to produce acrylamide, a chemical that damages DNA and RNA and may cause cancer, when exposed to high temperatures. When food is heated above 120°C, which is easily accomplished with air fryers, acrylamide is formed.

However, it's important to understand that acrylamide is not just a byproduct of air fryers; it can also result from deep-frying and baking, particularly when food gets charred or overcooked.

Notwithstanding these reservations, air fryers continue to be a useful kitchen tool in the present era, providing advantages including lower caloric content and better food selections. They can be among the safest methods of food preparation when used sensibly and at temperatures lower than 120°C.

Although air fryers provide a practical way to prepare healthy food, users should be mindful of the risks that come with cooking at a high temperature and take safety measures to reduce their exposure to dangerous chemicals. To reap the benefits of air fryers while reducing potential risks, moderation and intelligent usage are essential, just like with any other kitchen device.