Best Air Fryer Without Nonstick Coating: Stainless, Glass and Ceramic Options
Most air fryer baskets have a nonstick coating, and the uncoated models are easy to miss because listings rarely make it clear. Finding one means checking every part that touches food, not just the headline.
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Quick answer: if you want an air fryer without a nonstick coating, look for a model with a stainless steel basket and stainless crisper rack, a glass-bowl air fryer, or an air fryer toaster oven with stainless steel racks and an uncoated tray. Ceramic-coated baskets avoid PTFE but are still a coating. Because many “stainless” air fryers still have a coated crisper plate or tray, read the materials for every part that touches food, or ask the seller before buying.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Food-contact material |
|---|---|---|
| Basket air fryer with stainless steel basket | Most people avoiding coatings | Stainless steel |
| Glass-bowl air fryer | Seeing food as it cooks | Glass with stainless rack |
| Air fryer toaster oven with stainless racks | Families, flat trays of food | Stainless racks; check tray |
| Ceramic-coated basket air fryer | Easier cleanup without PTFE | Ceramic (sol-gel) coating |
Why uncoated air fryers are harder to find
Air fryers move hot air around food in a small space, and food tends to stick to bare metal baskets. Manufacturers solve that with a nonstick coating, usually PTFE-based, because it makes the basket easy to wipe clean. That’s why most basket air fryers on the market are coated.
Some people prefer to avoid nonstick coatings for personal reasons, such as concerns about PFAS chemicals used in making some coatings, or because coatings can scratch and wear out over time. Regulators generally consider PTFE cookware safe when used as directed, and manufacturers give maximum temperatures for their coatings. This guide doesn’t make health claims either way. It simply helps you find models without that coating if it’s what you want.
- Several parts touch food. The basket, the crisper plate or rack inside it, the drawer, any baking tray and accessories can each be made of different materials. A stainless basket with a coated crisper plate still puts coated metal under your food.
- Labels can be vague. “PFOA-free” on a listing usually still describes a PTFE nonstick coating; PFOA is a chemical that was phased out of US nonstick manufacturing years ago. “Ceramic” means a different coating, not bare metal.
- Cleaning is different. Stainless and glass need a little oil and some soaking or scrubbing. Expect more cleanup than with nonstick, especially with cheese, marinades and breaded food.
What to look for
Materials listed for every food-contact part
Look for the basket, rack, tray and inner pot to be described individually. If the listing is unclear, check the manual online or contact the manufacturer and ask what each part is made of. Their material disclosures are more reliable than marketing badges.
Stainless steel grade and construction
Food-grade stainless steel is common. Look for a basket with welded rather than riveted seams where possible, and a mesh or perforated floor that lets air through.
Glass bowls and their limits
Glass-bowl air fryers let you watch food brown and are easy to clean. They’re usually heavier, and the bowl needs care with sudden temperature changes; follow the maker’s instructions.
Oven-style models with uncoated racks
Many air fryer toaster ovens come with stainless steel wire racks and mesh baskets, but their baking trays are often coated or enameled. You can use your own stainless steel or uncoated aluminum sheet pan if it fits and the manual allows it.
Capacity and cleanup
Because uncoated surfaces need more cleaning, a dishwasher-safe basket is a big help. Check the capacity you need: around 3 to 4 quarts for one or two people, and 5 quarts or more for families.
Accessories that keep it uncoated
Many add-on racks, cake pans and skewers sold for air fryers are nonstick coated too. If you’re building an uncoated setup, look for stainless steel racks and skewers, oven-safe glass or ceramic dishes that fit your basket, and perforated parchment for the messiest jobs.
Our picks
Best overall
Basket air fryer with stainless steel basket and rack
Works just like a standard basket air fryer, with stainless steel where food sits. Confirm the crisper plate is stainless too.
- Familiar basket design
- No coating to chip or wear
- Many baskets are dishwasher safe
- Food sticks more without a little oil
- Fewer models to choose from
- Some “stainless” models hide coated parts
Best for watching food
Glass-bowl air fryer with stainless steel rack
Cooks in a clear glass bowl, so food only touches glass and stainless steel, and you can see browning without opening anything.
- Easy to see food cooking
- Glass doesn’t stain or hold odors
- Simple to clean
- Heavier and more fragile
- Bowl can be awkward to store
- Follow temperature-change warnings
Best for families
Air fryer toaster oven with stainless steel racks and mesh basket
A wide flat interior holds more food in a single layer, and the wire racks and mesh basket are often stainless steel. Pair it with your own uncoated sheet pan if the included tray is coated.
- Large single-layer capacity
- Also toasts and bakes
- Easy to use your own uncoated pans
- Included trays are often coated
- Bigger footprint
- Interior walls may be coated
Best easy-clean compromise
Air fryer with ceramic-coated basket
Avoids PTFE while keeping a slick surface that’s easy to wipe. A middle ground for people who want simpler cleanup.
- Releases food easily when new
- Wide range of models
- Still a coating
- Ceramic coatings tend to lose slickness faster
- Avoid metal tools and harsh scrubbers
Cooking for one? Our guide to the best air fryer for one person covers sizing. If you’re replacing other coated appliances too, see the best rice cooker without nonstick coating, and for the stove, our guide to nonstick pans for eggs without Teflon.
Keeping food from sticking to stainless steel
- Preheat the empty basket for a few minutes if your manual allows it; food releases better from hot metal.
- Lightly oil the food rather than the basket, or brush the rack with a thin layer of oil.
- Let food cook undisturbed until it browns; it often releases on its own once a crust forms.
- Soak the basket in hot soapy water right after cooking, then use a soft brush.
- Use perforated parchment for very sticky foods, keeping it weighed down by food and away from the heating element.
Questions people ask
Are there air fryers with no coating at all?
Yes, though they’re less common. Look for stainless steel baskets and racks or a glass bowl, and confirm every food-contact part is uncoated.
Is a ceramic air fryer basket nonstick?
Yes, ceramic is a nonstick coating, just not a PTFE one. It’s slick when new but tends to wear faster than PTFE.
What does PFOA-free mean on an air fryer?
It usually means a PTFE nonstick coating made without PFOA. It doesn’t mean the basket is uncoated.
Does food stick in a stainless steel air fryer basket?
It can, especially breaded or marinated food. A light coat of oil on the food and letting it brown before moving it helps a lot.
How do I check what my air fryer basket is made of?
Look in the manual or the manufacturer’s website for the materials of each part, or contact customer service. Listings and box labels often leave out the crisper plate.