Seattle, Washington – Researchers at the University of Washington unveiled a new study last week linking air fryer ownership to compulsive boasting, sparking chuckles across social media and kitchen appliance circles.
The study, led by Dr. Elena Fryman, a 42-year-old behavioral psychologist who admits to hiding her own air fryer in the garage, surveyed 500 households and found that 87% of owners mentioned their device unprompted within the first five minutes of any conversation. “It’s like they’ve discovered fire all over again,” Fryman quipped during a press conference, holding up a chart showing spikes in air fryer mentions at dinner parties and PTA meetings. One participant, 35-year-old barista Tim Hargrove, confessed, “I got mine six months ago, and now every time someone asks about my weekend, I launch into how my air-fried zucchini fries beat any restaurant’s—it’s involuntary, like sneezing.”
Critics, however, question the methodology, with appliance retailer Sarah Kline, 28, rolling her eyes at the findings. “Sure, I tell my friends about my Ninja AF101, but only because it crisps up chicken wings without the guilt—it’s not bragging, it’s evangelism,” she insisted, waving a bag of frozen fries as evidence. The study also noted a 23% uptick in air fryer-related Instagram posts since the pandemic, correlating with owners’ increased home cooking time.
Looking ahead, Fryman plans a follow-up study on whether air fryer evangelists can be rehabilitated through group therapy or mandatory mute buttons on kitchen gadgets, potentially revolutionizing small talk at family gatherings.