Air Fryers- Healthy Cooking or Not?

Is cooking with an air fryer healthy? I remember hearing someone recently tell me of how happy they were with using an air fryer. He went on to talk about how great his potatoes came out and how impressed his wife was with them.

Air fryers are growing in popularity and with more awareness towards health and wellness, so why not give them a try right. 

He was so delighted with his air fryer that he could not praise it enough. His eyes lit up when he talked of how passionate he felt about cooking with it and really became a great salesman for the product. I asked myself “Is an air fryer truly healthier to cook with?” Let’s take a deeper look.

Air fryers are growing in popularity and with more awareness towards health and wellness, why not give them a try and see what all the hype is about, right? 

What we do know about air fryers is that they work by circulating hot air around food, similarly to convection ovens, to create the same crispiness, as in traditional fried foods. Air fryers accomplish this by removing high fat and high calorie oils from the cooking process.

So air fryers require less oil than deep fryers need. Avocado oil is a good choice to use when cooking with an air fryer because it has a higher smoke point, as well as extra virgin olive oil.

As we know, lowering oil intake can be hugely beneficial for a person’s health. Scientists have linked high intakes of fat from vegetable oil to a variety of health concerns. Higher fat content can translate to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

So, people can have a more healthful meal with less fat while cooking with an air fryer- but is it really healthy?

That begs me to wonder then- are there any disadvantages in cooking with an air fryer There is no clear cut research that says air fried chicken is more healthful then roasted, grilled, slow-cooked or pan-seared chicken.

So, cooking with an air fryer is not guaranteed to be healthful. Although air fryers can cut down on fat, what research has also shown is that some air fryers can also produce cancer causing chemicals, such as acrylamide, a toxic and potentially carcinogenic chemical. It is an odorless, white crystalline organic solid with a melting point of 84-86 degrees Celsius. 

According to the Consumer Watchdog, research has showed that having tested some 12 models (in Hong Kong) in which the cancer causing chemicals, aka acrylamide, exceed the European Union Safety levels.

The International Agency for Research has already classified acrylamide as “probably carcinogenic” to humans and recommend minimal intake.

So overall, there are benefits to cooking with air fryers such as lower fat intakes, crispy textures and flavors and a convenient cooking technique.

Although, research has found cancer causing chemicals in some studies with air fryers and minimal intake is recommended.

Understanding that incorporating in diverse forms of cooking into your regular routine for best health is optimal!

Continuing to lose weight, eat healthy and keep evolving into the greatest version of yourself!

Contact Nutrition Wellness at 901-321-5033 and keep transforming into your best self!