Some men are swapping sports cars for air fryer upgrades in a new ‘mid-life FRYsis’ trend

According to new research by Philips, more than a third of Brits believe they have already ‘outgrown’ their current air fryer, while almost half say they would upgrade for more cooking capacity

Blokes reaching middle age are no longer splashing the cash on flashy motors or dashing off to Turkey for hair transplants. Instead, countless are upgrading something far closer to home: their air fryer.

Air fryer pioneers Philips have dubbed this phenomenon a “mid-life FRYsis” following fresh research which showed more than a third (36%) of Brits reckon they’ve already “outgrown” their existing air fryer, while nearly half (44%) would upgrade for greater cooking capacity.

And for three in ten (30%), the breaking point arrives when grub stops cooking evenly, indicating it might be time for a trade-up. It’s worlds apart from the conventional notion of a midlife crisis, where chaps once splurged on showy vehicles or drastic lifestyle overhauls.

Yet according to psychologist Dr Eleanor Bryant from the University of Bradford, today’s midlife transformation is increasingly focused on making wiser, healthier and more sensible decisions within the home.

“Mid-life is no longer a crisis, but a period of recalibration,” says Dr Eleanor.

“At mid-life, we start to experience a change of perspective, embrace healthier lifestyles, try new things to prioritise ourselves more.

“Cooking is a big part of this,” explains Dr Eleanor. “Reaching mid-life means looking to reduce your cognitive load, so finding quicker and healthier ways to cook becomes increasingly important.” Utilising an air fryer can provide a faster and more nutritious alternative to conventional cooking techniques, while simultaneously cutting down on the creation of dangerous compounds called AGEs (advanced glycation end products), which can negatively affect heart health and lead to premature skin ageing.

Preparing food with an air fryer has been proven to decrease AGE production, making it a progressively attractive choice for individuals seeking to adopt healthier habits during middle age.

Steaming represents another method for limiting AGE formation in meals.

The Philips Dual Basket Steam Airfryer enables users to steam and air fry simultaneously, permitting them to prepare well-balanced dishes in a single session, from steamed vegetables to crispy carbohydrates and protein, all finished at once.

Dr Eleanor concludes: “There is a psychological benefit to what we used to call the ‘mid-life crisis’. It is a developmental period, one of intense self-reflection and reassessment. It is a positive phase, and one where we make better life choices.”

Philips Dual Basket Steam Airfryer is available at John Lewis and Currys for £169.99.

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