Frying Frozen Okra: Air Fryer Tips And Tricks

Frying frozen breaded okra in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook this vegetable. It is also a low-mess option that does not require any thawing. The air fryer gives the okra a crispy texture and cooks it evenly. This method of cooking frozen breaded okra is also healthier than deep-frying, as it involves using less oil.

How to cook frozen breaded okra in an air fryer

Frozen breaded okra is a great option for a quick and easy meal or snack. It can be cooked straight from frozen, with no need to defrost, making it a convenient choice when you're short on time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen breaded okra in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Most air fryers will take around 5 minutes to preheat. While the air fryer is heating up, you can take the frozen breaded okra out of its packaging and set it aside.

Step 2: Arrange the Okra in the Air Fryer Basket

Once the air fryer has preheated, it's time to arrange the okra in the air fryer basket. Place the okra in a single layer, ensuring that the pieces are not overlapping. This arrangement allows for even cooking and crispiness. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and soggy okra.

Step 3: Apply Oil or Cooking Spray (Optional)

Although not mandatory, applying a light coating of oil or cooking spray to the okra can enhance the crispiness and browning of the final product. You can use an oil spray or lightly brush the okra with olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. This step is especially recommended if you want a golden-brown color and extra crunch.

Step 4: Air Fry the Okra

Now, it's time to air fry the okra! Place the basket in the air fryer and set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the desired level of crispiness. On average, cook the okra for about 12-15 minutes.

For best results, shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to toss the okra and ensure even browning. You can also spray the okra with additional cooking oil at this point if desired.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the cooking time is complete, remove the okra from the air fryer and serve immediately. Frozen breaded okra is best enjoyed while it's still hot and crispy. You can serve it as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. It goes well with dipping sauces like ranch or French onion.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Spraying the okra with oil is optional but recommended for a golden-brown color and extra crunch.
• Check your okra halfway through the cooking process and adjust the timing as needed, as different air fryers may vary.
• For a tender texture, reduce the cooking time by 2-3 minutes.

How to serve air fryer okra

Air fryer okra makes a great side dish or snack and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some tips on how to serve air fryer okra:

Serving Suggestions:

• Air fryer okra can be served as a side dish or as "fries" with your favourite dipping sauce. Some sauce options include ranch, French onion, Alabama White Barbecue Sauce, Comeback Sauce, or Honey Barbecue Sauce.
• It can be served as a snack on its own or as a party appetiser with other light bites.
• Air fryer okra also works well as a side for dinner. Some southern-inspired main course ideas include air fryer boneless skinless chicken breasts, BBQ chicken legs, black-eyed peas, collard greens, or cornbread.

Presentation Ideas:

• For a restaurant-style feel, serve the okra in a paper cone or holder.
• For a heartier meal, layer fried okra with peas or beans and boiled okra on a plate, and top with a grilled pork chop and cornbread.

Storage and Reheating:

• Air fryer okra is best served fresh and crispy straight from the fryer. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
• To reheat, pop the okra back into the air fryer at 400°F for three to four minutes to revive the crispiness. Alternatively, you can microwave them for one to two minutes, but they may not be as crunchy.

Customisation:

• You can customise your air fryer okra by experimenting with different seasonings. For a spicier kick, add cayenne pepper, black pepper, or red chilli powder.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or cornmeal.
• If you prefer your okra less crispy, you can oven-bake or grill them instead of air-frying.

Remember, air fryer okra is a versatile dish that can be tailored to your taste preferences and serving needs. Enjoy experimenting with different serving styles and combinations!

How to store and reheat air fryer okra

Storing and reheating air fryer okra is simple and will ensure your fried okra stays tasty and crispy.

Storing Air Fryer Okra

Okra can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. If you want to keep it for longer, you can store it in the freezer for up to six months.

Reheating Air Fryer Okra

There are a few different methods you can use to reheat your okra. You can use an air fryer, oven, stovetop, or microwave.

Air Fryer

If you want to use an air fryer to reheat your okra, preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the leftover okra in the air fryer and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through.

Oven

To reheat your okra in the oven, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Spread the okra on the baking sheet and spray with a light layer of non-stick cooking spray. Bake for about 10 minutes, flipping the okra halfway through. If your okra is frozen, it may need an additional 2-4 minutes.

Stovetop

To reheat okra on the stovetop, warm a small amount of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the okra to the hot oil and fry for about 4-5 minutes, turning frequently.

Microwave

Although not the ideal option, you can also reheat okra in the microwave. Wrap the okra in a slightly damp paper towel and place it in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, being careful not to overcook.

Tips for Reheating

• It is best to reheat okra without defrosting it first.
• Reheated okra may not be as crispy as freshly cooked okra. To make it crispier, you can spritz or spray it with a small amount of oil before reheating.
• If you are reheating a large batch of okra, it is best to reheat it in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
• If you are reheating frozen okra, it may need a little more time to warm through thoroughly.

How to cook plain cut okra in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Okra
• Olive oil
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Optional: garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, or other seasonings

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350–400°F.
• Clean and cut the okra into 1/4–1/2-inch thick slices, removing the tops and bottoms of each piece.
• Place the okra, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Stir gently to coat the okra.
• Arrange the okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Cook in the preheated air fryer for 10 minutes, tossing the basket halfway through.
• Toss the basket once more, then continue to cook for about 2 minutes, or until crispy.
• Serve immediately.

Tips:

• For extra crispiness, spritz the okra with cooking spray or olive oil before cooking.
• You can also bread the okra with flour, egg, and cornmeal or breadcrumbs for a crispier texture.
• If you're using frozen okra, there's no need to defrost it first. Simply increase the cooking time by a few minutes.

How to cook frozen fried okra in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 bag of frozen breaded okra
• 2 teaspoons of avocado oil or cooking spray
• Salt, freshly crushed black pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C.
• Remove the breaded okra from its packaging and place it in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure the okra isn't overlapping, as this will ensure even cooking.
• Spray the okra with avocado oil or cooking spray. This step is optional, but it will help the okra get golden and crispy.
• Air fry at 400°F/200°C for 12-14 minutes.
• After 6-8 minutes, remove the basket and shake to toss the okra. Spray with additional oil or cooking spray.
• Return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking.
• Once the okra is golden brown and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Tips

• You can serve the okra as a snack, a party appetizer, or a side dish.
• For a traditional Southern side, serve the okra with BBQ or fried chicken.
• If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• To reheat, put the okra back in the air fryer at 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes, or microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Frequently asked questions