Air Fryer Frozen Okra: Breaded, Crunchy, Healthy

Air fryer frozen breaded okra is a quick and easy way to enjoy this classic side dish. The air fryer eliminates the slimy texture that okra can sometimes have without the need for deep frying. The breaded coating adds an extra crunch to the soft interior, making it perfect for dipping in sauces such as ranch, marinara, or honey mustard.

Preparing frozen breaded okra in an air fryer is simple. First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the frozen okra in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Spritz or spray the okra lightly with cooking spray or oil, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil. Air fry the okra for 8-12 minutes at 400°F until it is golden brown and crispy. You can also add spices and seasonings to your okra for extra flavor.

How to make frozen breaded okra in an air fryer

Making frozen breaded okra in an air fryer is simple and a great way to enjoy this classic side dish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make it:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This is an important step to ensure your okra cooks evenly and efficiently.

Step 2: Prepare the Frozen Okra

Place the frozen breaded okra in the air fryer basket. Ensure you spread them out in a single layer, leaving some space between each piece. This will help the okra cook evenly and get crispy.

Step 3: Add Oil or Cooking Spray

Lightly spritz or spray the okra pieces with your choice of oil or cooking spray. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or any other cooking oil you prefer. This step will help the okra crisp up and give it a golden brown colour.

Step 4: Air Fry the Okra

Now, air fry the okra at 400°F for 8-12 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispness and colour. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't overcook. You may need to shake the basket or toss the okra halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the okra is golden brown and crispy, remove it from the air fryer, and it's ready to serve! You can enjoy it as a side dish, snack, or appetizer. It goes well with various dipping sauces, such as ranch dressing, marinara sauce, or honey mustard.

Tips and Variations:

• Before air frying, you can add extra spices and seasonings to the okra to create unique flavours. Experiment with different combinations to find your favourite!
• If you're making a large batch, you may need to adjust the cooking time by 1-2 minutes, depending on your air fryer's size and wattage.
• To prevent the okra from sticking together during cooking, spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray before adding the okra.
• You can also make your own breaded okra from scratch by dipping okra pods in flour, then whisked eggs, and finally, breadcrumbs before air frying.

How to make fresh okra in an air fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the okra by washing and drying it. Cut off the ends of each okra piece and slice them in half lengthwise. Place the okra in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with avocado or olive oil.

Next, add your chosen spices to the bowl and stir until the okra is evenly coated. You can use salt, garlic powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, paprika, and/or cayenne pepper. You will need around 2-3 tablespoons of arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or cornstarch to help the okra crisp up.

Now, transfer the okra to the air fryer basket or trays, ensuring it is arranged in a single layer. Spritz or spray the okra with oil and place it in the air fryer. Cook for around 15-20 minutes, shaking or rotating the basket halfway through. The okra is ready when it is crispy and golden brown.

Finally, remove the okra from the air fryer and serve. You can garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy as a side dish or with your favorite dipping sauce.

How to reheat frozen breaded okra in an air fryer

Reheating frozen breaded okra in an air fryer is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to ensure that your air fryer is preheated to the desired temperature before adding the okra, as this will help to ensure even cooking.

Next, place the frozen breaded okra in the air fryer basket. Make sure to spread the okra out in a single layer, ensuring that the pieces are not overlapping or piled on top of each other. This will help to ensure that the okra cooks evenly and that each piece becomes crispy.

Once the okra is in the air fryer, you can lightly spritz or spray it with cooking spray or oil. This step is optional, but it will help to give the okra a golden brown colour and make it crispier. You can use olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or any other cooking oil of your choice.

Now, it's time to air fry the okra. Cook the okra at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for around 14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through or after around 6-7 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the size of the okra pieces, so keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Finally, once the okra is golden brown and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and serve. You can enjoy it as a snack or side dish, and it goes great with dipping sauces like ranch, marinara, or honey mustard.

That's it! You can now enjoy your reheated frozen breaded okra, with a crispy texture and soft interior, just like it was freshly cooked.

How to store and reheat leftover okra

Okra is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in many ways, and it's essential to know how to store and reheat it properly to make the most of this delicious vegetable. Here's a guide to help you do just that!

Storing Leftover Okra:

Okra is best stored in an airtight container or freezer bag to maintain its freshness. If you plan to use it within a few days, store it in the refrigerator. Okra can be kept in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. However, if you want to store it for a more extended period, consider freezing it. Frozen okra can last up to 6 months in the freezer.

Reheating Leftover Okra:

There are several ways to reheat leftover okra, and the best method depends on whether your okra is frozen or not. Here are some options:

• Air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the frozen okra in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Cook for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the okra is golden brown and crispy.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or 425°F if your okra is frozen. Spread the okra on a baking sheet in a single layer and spray lightly with cooking spray or oil. Bake for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until heated through.
• Stovetop: Warm a small amount of oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Add the okra and fry for 4-5 minutes, turning frequently, until heated through.
• Microwave: While not the ideal option, you can wrap the okra in a slightly damp paper towel and microwave for 1-2 minutes. Be cautious not to overcook it, as it can become soggy.

Remember, when reheating, it's essential not to overcrowd the okra to ensure even heating and maintain its crispy texture. Additionally, you can sprinkle on some spices or seasonings, such as garlic powder, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika, to add extra flavor to your reheated okra.

Tips to make the best fried okra in the air fryer

Use a fork to dip and coat the okra

Using a fork to dip the okra into the flour, egg, and cornmeal mixture makes the process faster and easier. This ensures that all sides of the okra are evenly coated, resulting in a crispy and golden brown exterior.

Make a big batch and freeze leftovers

If you're going through the effort of breading and air-frying okra, you might as well make a large batch. After cooking, let the extra okra cool, then store it in an airtight container or bag in the freezer for up to three months. When you're craving fried okra again, simply reheat it in the air fryer straight from frozen.

Use a small bowl for the eggs

Using a small bowl for the eggs makes it easier and faster to coat the okra. You can dip a fork with an okra piece into the small bowl, ensuring an even coating without having to move it around too much.

Season generously

Don't be shy with the seasonings! Add a good pinch of sea salt and cayenne pepper to give your okra a flavorful kick. You can also experiment with other spices like garlic powder, paprika, or red pepper flakes to suit your taste preferences.

Spray with oil for that golden crisp

Don't skip the step of spraying the okra with a little oil before air-frying. This step gives the okra a beautiful golden brown color and makes it crispy. You can use olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or any other cooking oil you prefer.

Frequently asked questions