Air-Fried Okra: A Healthy, Tasty Treat

Okra is a versatile vegetable that can be boiled, roasted, pickled, or fried. It is often used in gumbos and other soups, but can also be eaten alone as a snack. One popular way to cook okra is by using an air fryer, which makes the vegetable crispy and golden brown. Air-frying okra is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as it requires significantly less oil. It is also a time-saving method, as it cooks okra much faster than an oven or stovetop.

Air fryer okra recipe

Air fryer okra is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook this vegetable. It is a great veggie to snack on before dinner or serve as a side with your main entrees. Here is a simple recipe to make crispy and delicious okra in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Okra
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Turmeric
• Chili powder
• Arrowroot powder

Steps:

First, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is heating up, prepare the okra by washing it and cutting off the woody ends. You can cut the okra into 1/2-inch slices or leave them whole. If you want to reduce the slime, you can soak the okra slices in an egg wash for about 10 minutes.

Next, place the okra in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil or avocado oil. Ensure each piece is lightly coated. Sprinkle with your desired seasonings and toss to coat evenly. Arrange the okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding and overlap for optimal airflow and even cooking.

Cook the okra in the preheated air fryer for 10-20 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. Remember to shake or toss the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness. Once the okra is golden brown and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Tips:

• Okra can be served with various dipping sauces, such as spicy aioli, soy ginger sauce, or white barbecue sauce.
• If using frozen okra, let it thaw first and pat it dry with a paper towel to absorb moisture. This will help prevent sogginess.
• For a breaded option, dip the okra in an egg wash and then coat with a mixture of flour, cornmeal, and seasonings before air frying.

Okra preparation

Okra is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including boiling, roasting, pickling, and air frying. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare delicious, crispy air-fried okra:

Step 1: Wash and Cut the Okra

Start by washing the okra thoroughly. You can then choose to cut off the woody ends and slice the okra into 1/2-inch pieces, or leave them whole. Cutting the okra will give the air fryer more surface area to crisp up, but leaving them whole will also work.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading (Optional)

If you want to add a breading to your okra, you can do so by creating a mixture of flour, cornmeal, and your desired spices. You can also add garlic powder, paprika, and salt to the mixture for extra flavor. Stir the ingredients together in a shallow dish.

Step 3: Create an Egg Wash (Optional)

In a separate bowl, whisk together an egg and a small amount of water to create an egg wash. This step is optional but will help the breading stick to the okra.

Step 4: Coat the Okra

If you are using the breading, dip the okra into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off, and then transfer it to the breading mixture. Toss the okra until it is nicely coated on all sides. Repeat this process for all the okra, placing the coated pieces on a plate as you go.

Step 5: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 400-425 degrees Fahrenheit. While it is heating up, prepare a cooking spray or olive oil spray to coat the air fryer basket.

Step 6: Air Fry the Okra

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the okra in the basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Spray the okra with cooking spray or olive oil, and add any desired seasonings, such as salt, pepper, or garlic powder. Air fry for 10-20 minutes, shaking or rotating the basket halfway through for even cooking and crispiness. The okra is ready when it is golden brown and crispy.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the okra from the air fryer and serve immediately for the best texture and taste. You can enjoy it as a snack or side dish, pairing it with various dipping sauces such as spicy aioli, soy ginger sauce, or ranch dressing.

Air-fried okra is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare this nutritious vegetable, resulting in a crispy and delicious treat.

Air fryer settings

Okra can be cooked in an air fryer in a variety of ways, with different settings and ingredients used to achieve the desired result. Here is a comprehensive guide to the various air fryer settings and methods for cooking okra:

• Preheating: It is recommended to preheat your air fryer before cooking okra. The ideal temperature for preheating varies, with some sources suggesting 425 degrees Fahrenheit, while others suggest 380 or 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cooking Time: The cooking time for okra in the air fryer depends on the desired level of crispiness. For crispy okra, cook for 14-20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For a faster option, cook frozen breaded okra for about 7 to 8 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Batch Cooking: When cooking a large quantity of okra, it is advisable to cook in batches. Repeat the process of coating the okra in the egg mixture and cornmeal, then frying in batches until all the okra is cooked.
• Single Layer Arrangement: For optimal cooking results, arrange the okra in a single layer on the air fryer trays or basket. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcrowding.
• Rotation and Shaking: To ensure even cooking and browning, it is important to rotate the trays or shake the basket halfway through the cooking process. This helps to prevent burning and promotes even crisping.
• Spritzing with Oil: For extra crispiness, spritz the okra with cooking spray or oil during the frying process. This adds to the crispy texture and enhances the flavour.
• Monitoring and Adjusting: Keep a close eye on the okra during the final minutes of cooking to prevent burning. Adjust the cooking time as needed, and remove the okra from the air fryer once it reaches the desired level of doneness.

Air Fryer Methods:

There are several methods and variations for cooking okra in an air fryer:

• Breading and Cornmeal: One popular method is to bread the okra and coat it with cornmeal before air frying. This gives the okra a crispy texture and a traditional "fried okra" taste.
• Eggs and Flour: Another technique involves dipping the okra in an egg wash and then coating it with flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. This creates a crispy, golden brown exterior.
• Oil and Seasonings: For a simpler approach, toss the okra with olive oil, salt, and pepper before air frying. This method produces crispy okra with a basic seasoning that can be customised to your taste.
• Freezing and Reheating: Cooked okra can be frozen and reheated in the air fryer. Freeze leftover fried okra and reheat in the air fryer for about 3 minutes until thoroughly warmed.

Cooking time

The cooking time for air-fried okra depends on the recipe you are following.

If you are cooking the okra without any breading, you can cook it for 15 minutes, or until crispy. Some recipes suggest cooking the okra for 10 minutes, tossing the basket, and then cooking for a further 2 minutes. If you are cooking the okra without breading, it is important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking.

If you are cooking the okra with breading, you should cook it for 4-5 minutes, shake the basket, and then cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until the okra is golden and crispy. Other recipes suggest cooking the okra for 12-14 minutes, spritzing with cooking spray halfway through.

If you are cooking frozen okra, you can cook it straight from frozen, but it is important to fry it in a single layer to prevent it from becoming soggy.

Serving suggestions

Okra is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or a snack. It is a classic Southern side dish, often served with barbecue sauce or ranch dressing for dipping. It can also be served with Alabama White Sauce, Comeback Sauce, or Honey Barbecue Sauce.

If you are serving it as a snack, you can cut the okra into “bites" or little circles, or you can cut them lengthwise to resemble fries. You can also serve it with your favourite dipping sauce.

For a vegan option, you can skip the egg and breading and simply season the okra with salt, pepper, and spices. This will give it a crispy texture without the need for breading.

You can also freeze leftover okra and reheat it in the air fryer for a quick and easy snack or side dish.

Frequently asked questions