Air fryers, the countertop appliances that cook food using a powerful current of hot air rather than oil, have become one of the most common kitchen gadgets in French homes, and the newest models are now correcting many of the flaws that have dogged earlier versions, according to technology journalist Anicet Mbida.
Speaking on "Bonjour ! La Matinale TF1", the morning programme on French broadcaster TF1, Mbida said the latest generation of air fryers has introduced practical changes that resolve the two biggest complaints about the appliances: the amount of counter space they take up and the limited range of cooking methods they offer.
An air fryer works by circulating hot air rapidly around food, producing dishes that are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside while using very little or no fat. Despite their popularity, the appliances have long been criticised for taking up too much space and for offering only one style of cooking.
Modular trays create more space
Some of the newest air fryers now come fitted with modular cooking baskets, allowing two small trays to be combined into a single, larger compartment. Mbida said the tray can be made large enough to fit a whole roast or a chicken, or split in two so that meat cooks on one side while vegetables cook on the other. Each side of the divided tray can also be set to a different cooking time, so both types of food finish cooking at exactly the right moment.
The one downside of this system, Mbida said, is that the appliances themselves have become bulkier, which is a problem for many households with tight kitchen space. Manufacturers have addressed this by stacking the cooking baskets vertically instead of placing them side by side. The resulting appliance is taller but narrower, saving valuable room on the worktop.
Glass trays replace Teflon baskets
Many people remain reluctant to buy an air fryer because the vast majority of models use Teflon-coated cooking baskets, a non-stick material that contains PFAS, chemicals often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment. PFAS are a large family of synthetic compounds also found in non-stick cookware, waterproof fabrics and firefighting foam, and they have drawn growing regulatory scrutiny in Europe over their persistence and possible health effects. To avoid exposure to these substances, some air fryers are now fitted with glass trays instead.
Mbida described this as a major advantage. Because glass is a natural material, he said, the tray can be taken straight from the appliance to the table once the food is ready. Any leftovers can then simply be covered with a lid and placed directly in the fridge.
Steam joins hot-air cooking
The final and most significant change concerns the cooking process itself. Older air fryer models could only roast or grill using hot air, but the newest appliances are now able to cook with steam as well.
Mbida said combining air cooking with steam cooking makes salmon more tender on the inside and allows users to cook dishes such as Asian-style steamed dumplings known as baos, producing a texture that is very soft and moist.
