Air Fryer Okra: Fresh, Breaded, And Delicious!

Okra is a beloved vegetable, especially in the south, where it is often served as a side dish. Traditionally, it is deep-fried, but this method can be unhealthy. Air fryers offer a healthier alternative to frying, and they are also easy to use and heat up quickly. You can cook frozen or fresh okra in an air fryer, and it will turn out crispy and delicious. This method is also less messy and can be made vegan and gluten-free. You can bread the okra or cook it without any breading.

Cooking Fresh Breaded Okra in an Air Fryer

Pre-preparation: cleaning, cutting, and seasoning the okra

Okra is a slimy vegetable, and this is only exacerbated by the presence of water, so be sure to wash and thoroughly dry the fresh okra before you begin. Trim off the ends of each okra and cut it into 1/2-inch thick slices. If you want to reduce the slime further, you can soak the okra slices in egg for about ten minutes.

Once your okra is prepared, it's time to season. You can use a combination of flour, cornmeal, breadcrumbs, paprika, sea salt, and cayenne pepper. Alternatively, use a combination of all-purpose flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. If you want to keep the dish vegan and gluten-free, you can use a combination of avocado oil, salt, spices, and arrowroot powder. If you don't have avocado oil, you can use any other oil of your choice.

After seasoning, you can dip the okra in a mixture of whisked eggs, and then into a bowl of breadcrumbs to coat it. If you want to avoid the use of eggs, you can spritz the okra with oil before placing it in the air fryer.

Battering: coating the okra in flour, eggs, and cornmeal

Battering is an essential step in the process of breading okra for air frying. This step ensures that the okra is coated evenly and has a crispy texture after cooking. Here is a detailed guide to achieving the perfect batter for your air-fried okra:

Coating the Okra in Flour:

Start by placing the flour in a shallow dish or a gallon-sized ziplock bag. You can use all-purpose flour for this step. If you prefer a gluten-free option, you can substitute the flour with a gluten-free flour blend or a starch like cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Place the okra pieces in the flour and gently shake or toss to coat them evenly. Make sure to shake off any excess flour before proceeding to the next step.

Coating the Okra in Eggs:

In a separate shallow dish, whisk some eggs until well beaten. You can adjust the number of eggs used based on the quantity of okra you are preparing. Dip each floured okra piece into the egg mixture, ensuring that it is fully coated. Allow any excess egg to drip off before moving on to the next step. This egg coating will help the final breading adhere better to the okra.

Coating the Okra in Cornmeal:

The final step in the battering process is coating the okra in cornmeal. Cornmeal gives the okra a crispy texture and is a classic choice for Southern-style fried okra. You can use plain cornmeal or create a cornmeal mixture by adding additional ingredients like flour, breadcrumbs, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the cornmeal mixture in another shallow dish or bag and gently shake or toss the okra pieces until they are evenly coated. Again, shake off any excess cornmeal before placing the okra in the air fryer.

This three-step battering process of coating the okra in flour, eggs, and cornmeal ensures that your air-fried okra will have a delicious crispy exterior. The egg coating acts as a glue, holding the cornmeal coating in place and helping to create an even and consistent texture.

Once the okra is battered and coated, it is ready to be placed in the air fryer. You can spritz or spray the okra with a small amount of oil to enhance the crispness and browning during cooking. Follow the recommended cooking times and temperatures for air-fried okra, and enjoy your delicious and crispy treat!

Cooking time and temperature: 400°F for 7-8 minutes

Okra is a popular side dish, especially in Southern cuisine. It can be cooked in an air fryer, which is a healthier alternative to deep-frying. The air fryer uses less oil, reducing the fat and calories in the dish without compromising on taste and texture.

To cook fresh breaded okra in an air fryer, first, wash and dry the okra thoroughly. Trim off the ends and slice the okra lengthwise. You can also cut it into bite-sized pieces or circles, but slicing lengthwise is recommended for a crispier texture. Next, prepare a coating or batter for the okra. This could involve soaking the okra slices in egg for about 10 minutes to reduce slime and then coating them with breadcrumbs and cornmeal, or a mixture of avocado oil, salt, spices, and arrowroot powder. You can also add garlic powder, cumin, coriander, or turmeric for extra flavour.

Once the okra is coated, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spritz or spray the okra with oil, ensuring an even coating. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the okra for 7-8 minutes. For the best results, shake the basket or rotate the trays halfway through the cooking time. After 7-8 minutes, the okra should be golden brown and crispy. Remove the okra from the air fryer and serve immediately.

You can also reheat leftover fried okra in the air fryer. Place the leftovers in the air fryer and cook for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.

Post-cooking: shaking the basket and spritzing with oil

Shaking the basket of your air fryer during the cooking process is important to ensure that your okra cooks evenly on all sides. Shaking it up also helps to prevent the breading from falling off.

Some recipes suggest shaking the basket of your air fryer halfway through the cooking process. You can then spritz the okra with oil and continue cooking for the remaining time. Other recipes recommend shaking the basket, spritzing with oil, and returning to the air fryer for an additional 4-5 minutes.

If you are cooking frozen breaded okra, you may want to shake the basket after 5 minutes of cooking, spritz with oil, and then cook for another 5 minutes. This will result in crispy okra with lots of flavor.

For fresh okra, you can shake the basket and spritz with oil when the edges start to turn golden brown. This will ensure that your okra is crispy and cooked evenly.

Spritzing the okra with oil before returning it to the air fryer for a few more minutes of cooking will give it a crispy texture and enhance its flavor. The oil adds a little extra crunch to the dish.

Serving suggestions: garnishes, dips, and sides

Okra cooked in an air fryer can be served as a side dish or as fries with a dipping sauce. It can also be served with fresh parsley for garnish, or with ranch dressing for dipping.

For a more substantial meal, you can fill tacos with the fried okra, adding your favourite toppings, cheese, salsa, and dipping sauce.

If you want to add some extra vegetables to your dish, you can chop up some onion and tomatoes to mix with the fried okra. A squeeze of lime over the top will add a tangy flavour.

For a heartier meal, you could serve the okra with some roasted root vegetables, such as Oven Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, or Healthy Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

Frequently asked questions