Air-Frying Okra: A Healthy, Crispy Treat?

Okra is a vegetable that is often associated with a slimy texture, but air frying it can turn it into a crispy, crunchy delight. Air-frying okra is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as it requires only a fraction of the oil, resulting in a less fatty dish. The preparation is simple: after washing and cutting the okra, coat it with a breading mixture of cornmeal and flour, dip it in an egg wash, and then air fry it for around 10-20 minutes. The result is a delicious side dish that can be served with various sauces and dips.

Okra preparation

Once your okra is prepared, you will need to bread it. To do this, set up a breading station with three bowls. The first bowl should contain flour, the second bowl a beaten egg, and the final bowl a mixture of cornmeal and breadcrumbs. You can also add spices to the cornmeal mixture, such as garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, or salt, to add extra flavour. Dip each piece of okra into the flour, then the egg, and finally, the cornmeal mixture, ensuring it is coated evenly.

After your okra is breaded, it is time to air fry! Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F. Place the okra in the air fryer basket in a single layer and spritz with cooking spray or oil. Air fry for 12-20 minutes, depending on the recipe you are following, tossing or shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Your crispy, golden brown okra is now ready to be served! Air fryer okra is best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for a day or two and reheat in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes.

Air fryer settings

To cook okra in an air fryer, you will need to preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 400°F. The exact temperature will depend on your model of air fryer and personal preference, but 400°F is a good standard temperature to aim for.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you will need to add the okra. It is important to ensure that the okra is in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. This will allow the hot air to circulate around each piece of okra and ensure even cooking.

The cooking time for okra in an air fryer can vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, as well as the thickness of your okra slices. A good starting point is to cook the okra for 10 minutes, tossing or rotating the basket halfway through. Then, continue to cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the okra is crispy and golden brown.

It is also important to note that some recipes recommend coating the okra with cooking spray or oil before air frying. This can help to ensure a crispy texture and even browning. Additionally, some recipes call for a second round of air frying after tossing the okra in a small amount of oil.

Overall, air frying okra is a quick and easy way to enjoy this vegetable with a crispy texture and without the oily mess of traditional frying methods.

Breading methods

Cornmeal and Flour

Wash the okra and cut off the ends. Slice the okra into pieces about 1/2 inch thick. In a bowl, combine cornmeal and flour. In a separate bowl, whisk an egg and add a small amount of water. Dip the okra slices first in the egg mixture, then in the cornmeal and flour mixture. Toss until nicely coated on all sides.

Cornmeal, Flour, and Breadcrumbs

Follow the same steps as above, but add breadcrumbs to the cornmeal and flour mixture.

Breadcrumbs

Follow the same steps as the cornmeal and flour method, but substitute breadcrumbs for the cornmeal and flour.

Cornmeal, Flour, and Spices

Follow the same steps as the cornmeal and flour method, but add spices such as garlic powder, paprika, salt, cayenne pepper, or black pepper to the cornmeal and flour mixture.

Cooking times

The cooking time for air-fried okra depends on the specific recipe and the desired level of crispiness. Here is a detailed breakdown of the cooking times mentioned in various recipes:

Most recipes involve a two-step process: coating the okra and then air-frying it. For the coating, you can experiment with different combinations of flour, cornmeal, breadcrumbs, and spices. Some recipes also include an egg wash, where the okra is dipped in a mixture of beaten egg and water before being coated. This egg wash helps the coating adhere better to the okra.

Once the okra is coated, it's time to air-fry! Cooking times can vary, but on average, it takes around 10 to 20 minutes to achieve the desired crispiness. Here are some specific examples:

• One recipe suggests preheating the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cooking the okra for 10 minutes, tossing the basket halfway through. Then, continue cooking for about 2 more minutes until the okra is crispy.
• Another recipe recommends preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the coated okra in the basket, spritz with cooking spray, and cook for 4 minutes. Shake the basket and mist the okra with cooking spray again, then cook for an additional 4 minutes. Finally, shake the basket one last time and cook for 2 more minutes.
• A third recipe suggests air-frying at 356 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes, followed by tossing the breaded okra in oil and air-frying for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
• For frozen breaded okra, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen okra in a single layer and cook for about 14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• To reheat leftover fried okra, preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on the okra during the cooking process to ensure it doesn't burn. Additionally, some recipes recommend rotating the trays or shaking the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Dipping sauces

Air-fried okra is a tasty, healthier alternative to traditional frying. It's a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or side. The okra is best served fresh and crispy, accompanied by a sauce of your choice. Here are some ideas for delicious dipping sauces to serve with your air-fried okra:

Alabama White Barbecue Sauce

A classic Southern sauce that pairs perfectly with the crispy, golden brown okra. It can be made from scratch or bought pre-made.

Comeback Sauce

A tangy and creamy sauce that will complement the okra's flavour.

Honey Barbecue Sauce

A sweet and savoury option to add a touch of honeyed flavour to the okra.

Texas-Style Barbecue Sauce

A tangy and bold barbecue sauce to add a kick to the okra.

Sriracha Mayo Dip

A spicy and creamy sauce made by mixing sriracha with mayonnaise.

Ketchup

A classic condiment that can be paired with the okra for a simple, sweet and tangy flavour.

Ranch

A cool and creamy dipping sauce that will balance out the crispiness of the okra.

Old Bay Dipping Sauce

A creamy sauce with a kick, made by combining mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, and optional red cayenne pepper.

Frequently asked questions