Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and cooking oil fumes (COF) are considered as the potential dangerous contributing factors. This study, a meta-analysis was conducted to analyse the correlation between exposure to COF and risk of lung cancer. Literature from 1980 to 2020 were searched and 29 studies were selected for analysis. Results showed that population exposed to COF had significant differences in lung cancer prevalence (P < 0.05). The odds ratio (OR) values of different periods (before 2000, 2000–2010 and 2010–2020) were significantly different. Using ventilation equipment had the OR of 0.54. Liao cuisine, Fujian cuisine, Shanghai cuisine, Jingdong cuisine and Shaanxi cuisine had the ORs (95% confidence interval) of 1.91 (1.62, 2.25), 2.38 (1.80, 3.16), 1.56 (1.29, 1.89), 2.58 (1.63, 4.09) and 1.57 (1.16, 2.11), respectively. These results revealed that exposure to COF could increase the risk of lung cancer, but the risk was gradually reduced with the changes of the times and the use of ventilation equipment. Different cooking methods in different regions caused different risks of lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer caused by COF mainly produced by deep-frying, quick-frying, stir-frying and pan-frying is higher than in other methods.