First published: June 25, 2022

 

Air fryers are not proven to cause cancer, and current evidence does not show that using an air fryer directly causes cancer in humans. However, like many forms of high-heat cooking, air frying may create harmful compounds. This includes acrylamide, which has been linked to cancer risk in laboratory studies. Understanding how air fryers work, and how to use them safely, can help minimize potential health risks and support overall wellness, which plays an important role in both cancer prevention and cancer treatment outcomes.

So if you’re wondering, “Can air fryers cause cancer?”, and if risk exists, the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Similar to broader public health discussions around lung cancer prevention and other lifestyle-related cancer risks, it’s important to evaluate the strength of the scientific evidence behind specific concerns. This article assesses how much air fryers can impact your risk of cancer.

What is an air fryer, and how did it become popular?

Air fryers are a relatively new gadget designed to substitute traditional deep frying. Air fryers have revolutionized how we cook food; pop some sliced potatoes in for 10 to 20 minutes, and you’ve got some excellent french fries.1 Air fryers have expedited the time it takes to achieve deliciously crispy food while reducing clean-up time. 

According to many sources, air fryers are a healthier alternative to conventional frying. 

Americans consume more potatoes than other vegetables, with frozen products such as french fries taking the lead.2 Due to growing health consciousness and continuing demand for fried meals, air fryers have seen a recent spike in popularity. 

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How Do Air Fryers Work?

Air fryers are square or egg-shaped machines that sit on your counter and are roughly the size of a coffee maker. It’s similar to an oven in that they both bake and roast food. Its heating elements make all the difference. The heating elements in an air fryer are positioned at the top and are accompanied by a large, powerful fan. Thanks to a focused heat source and the fan’s size and position, air fryers heat up quickly and cook food evenly and swiftly.

A fan circulates hot air (up to 400°F) over the food. It works almost similar to a convection oven. The circulating air cooks the outside of the food first, resulting in a crispy brown coating on the surface and a soft interior, similar to deep-fried dishes.3 A container beneath the basket collects any grease that drips as the food cooks. 

Like many other cooking methods, air frying triggers the Maillard reaction, which improves the flavor and color of fried food. It is also worth considering that since air fryers use less oil, you can use higher-quality, more expensive oils.4

Can Air Fryers Cause Cancer?

At this time, there is no direct evidence that air fryers cause cancer in humans. What experts, including those referenced by Harvard-affiliated researchers, actually explain is that certain cooking processes, especially high-temperature ones, can produce carcinogenic compounds.

Air fryers themselves are appliances; the potential cancer risk depends on how food is cooked, what foods are cooked, and how often they are consumed.

Do Air Fryers Create Carcinogens?

Air fryers can contribute to the formation of acrylamide, a chemical classified as a probable carcinogen. Acrylamide formation in food occurs when foods such as potatoes are cooked at high temperatures, especially during frying, roasting, or baking.

This means that air frying, deep frying, and even baking at high temperatures can all lead to acrylamide exposure. Studies have shown that air fryers may produce lower acrylamide content than deep-fried foods.

Importantly:

  • Acrylamide can cause cancer in animals at high doses
  • Evidence of cancer-causing effects in humans is limited and inconsistent
  • The amounts of acrylamide formed depend on temperature, cooking time, and food type

Benefits of Air Fryers

When used correctly, air fryers provide a slew of health benefits:

  • Supports Weight Management: Because air fryers use less oil, air-fried foods typically contain fewer calories and less fat than deep-fried foods.
  • Safer Than Deep Frying: Unlike deep fryers, air fryers do not require large amounts of hot oil, reducing the risk of spills, burns, or splashes.
  • May Reduce Acrylamide Formation: Studies suggest that air frying can result in lower acrylamide levels than deep frying, reducing the potential cancer risk associated with this carcinogenic compound.
  • Lower Overall Health Risks Than Traditional Frying: Switching to air frying reduces exposure to excess oil while still achieving a crispy texture.
  • Easy and Convenient Cooking: An air fryer heats quickly and cooks food evenly using hot air, making meal preparation faster and simpler.
  • Versatile Kitchen Appliance: Beyond frying, air fryers use convection-style heat similar to an oven, allowing you to roast, bake, or reheat foods.

Adverse Effects of Air Frying

While air fryers have their advantages, they also come with several drawbacks:

Does Not Guarantee a Healthy Diet

While an air fryer can reduce fat compared to deep-fried foods, simply switching cooking methods does not automatically improve overall health. A balanced diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and lean protein remains essential for reducing long-term cancer risk and other chronic conditions.

Potential Formation of Harmful Compounds

Although air frying can reduce acrylamide formation compared to deep frying, it may still produce acrylamide, especially when foods are cooked at high temperatures. Other compounds, such as PAHs and HCAs, can also form during high-heat cooking and have been linked to increased cancer risk.

Cholesterol Oxidation in Fish

Cooking fish in an air fryer at high heat may lead to cholesterol oxidation products (COPs), which are associated with heart disease. Research suggests that certain seasonings, such as parsley or chives, may help reduce these effects during air frying.

Risk of Foodborne Illness

Like any cooking method, air frying carries a risk of food poisoning if foods are not cooked thoroughly. Some studies suggest air fryers may be less effective than deep fryers at killing bacteria in certain meats, making proper temperature and cooking time important.

Longer Cooking Time and Texture Differences

Compared to deep frying, air frying often takes longer and may produce food that is less uniformly crispy. Overcrowding the basket can result in uneven cooking, affecting both texture and food safety.

How to Minimize the Risk When Using an Air Fryer

If you use an air fryer, you can minimize the risk by following these tips:

  • Avoid cooking at the highest temperature for long periods
  • Don’t over-brown or burn food
  • Soak potatoes before cooking to reduce acrylamide formation
  • Use herbs and spices (some studies show fennel extracts on acrylamide formation may help)
  • Rotate cooking methods (steam, sauté, roast)
  • Focus on whole foods, not just fried food

Diet Quality Matters More Than the Appliance

From a cancer-prevention perspective, home cooking choices matter more than whether you purchase an air fryer. Diets high in vegetables, fiber, and anti-inflammatory foods help reduce inflammation, support immune health, and may lower the risk of cancer overall. Many experts suggest that dietary patterns rich in whole, minimally processed foods may help support the body and are often discussed as ways to fight cancer with food as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

At Immunity Therapy Center, we emphasize:

  • Anti-inflammatory diets
  • Immune support
  • Reducing exposure to cancer-causing compounds
  • Holistic lifestyle strategies

These steps help minimize the risk associated with high-heat cooking, including air frying.

So, Can Airfryers Cause Cancer?

Air fryers are not inherently dangerous, and current research does not show that they cause cancer in humans. Compared to deep frying, air frying generally produces lower acrylamide levels, uses less oil, and may reduce some health risks. Still, no fried food, air fried or otherwise, should be consumed excessively.

At Immunity Therapy Center, we encourage balanced nutrition, inflammation reduction, and immune support as part of a holistic approach to cancer prevention and wellness. Our alternative therapies are designed for all stages of cancer, complementing traditional treatment methods and focusing on our patients’ overall well-being. If you’d like guidance on lifestyle choices that support long-term health, reach out to ITC today.

 

Written By: Dr. Pablo Orozco

Dr. Pablo Orozco is a Board Certified Medical Doctor from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California.

Dr. Orozco has been a treating physician at the Immunity Therapy Center for more than 3 years providing daily on site patient care. He works with patients on a daily basis and guides them through the treatment process. Dr. Orozco’s passion for Alternative Cancer Treatments along with his commitment to patient care is key to insure that our patients have the best experience and results possible.

 

Sources:

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  2. Healthday. Potatoes, Tomatoes Make Up Bulk of Americans’ Veggie Intake. https://consumer.healthday.com/vitamins-and-nutrition-information-27/food-and-nutrition-news-316/potatoes-tomatoes-make-up-bulk-of-americans-veggie-intake-703589.html
  3. NCBI. A comparative study of the characteristics of French fries produced by deep fat frying and air frying. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25619624 
  4. NCBI. Food Processing and Maillard Reaction products. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4745522/ 
  5. NCBI. Fried food consumption and the risk of obesity. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33825582/ 
  6. NCBI. Dietary Acrylamide and Human Cancer. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4164905/ 
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  11. Journal of Food Science. Impact of Air Frying on Cholesterol and Fatty Acids Oxidation in Sardines: Protective Effects of Aromatic Herbs. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.13967 
  12. Foodsafety.gov. Food Poisoning. https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-poisoning 
  13. Journal of Food Protection. Effectiveness of Preparation Practices on the Inactivation of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis in Frozen Breaded Chicken Strips. https://doi.org/10.4315/JFP-19-601 
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  15. Very Well Health. Are Air Fryers Bad for You? Benefits and Risks of Cancer. https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-air-fryers-cause-cancer-5082537