Air fryers having gained major popularity in recent years, with people rushing to add the gadget to their homes. Air fryers work circulating hot air around food, cooking it quickly and evenly.
They mimic the results of deep frying but use significantly less oil, thanks to a mechanical fan that evenly distributes heat. This creates a crispy layer on the outside of the food while keeping the inside moist.
These appliances have gained popularity due to their ability to make healthier cooking simpler. By using minimal or no oil, air fryers produce lower-fat versions of traditionally fried foods, thus reducing calorie intake, reports the Daily Record.
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They can be quicker, more convenient, and less messy than deep frying or roasting something for hours in the oven. However, some people have started questioning their safety.
Recently, claims have surfaced on social media suggesting that the materials used to manufacture air fryers are toxic. Some individuals have even argued that they’re “DNA altering”, despite a complete lack of evidence to support this claim.
In response to these fears, a doctor has taken to TikTok to debunk the misinformation. Dr Karan Raj explained that it should only be an issue if air fryers get damaged.
He stated that the “biggest concern of fear-mongers centres around the non-stick materials, also known as forever chemicals”.
He commented: “Well, fun fact, every time you sit down to eat, microplastics float from the air and land in your food, or are already part of your food, invisibly becoming part of your stir fry.
“Now when it comes to air fryers, the worries about toxic chemicals leeching into your food is only really an issue if the material is damaged, so as long as you don’t plan to eat the lining of your air fryer, you’ll be fine. Just try to minimise how much damage and scratching there is to the non-stick coating.”
Dr Raj advised to “clean it safely” by avoiding abrasive materials and recommended using “wood or silicone utensils” along with “liners”.
“And if you’re really worried about the non-stick coating you can use a ceramic or stainless steel air fryer”. The reassurance was evidently appreciated as people expressed their relief in the comments section.
One person commented: “Ugh thank you for sharing, I’m so tired of fear-mongering” while another shared a memory: “I remember when there was scaremongering about microwaves.”