Air Fryer Okra: The Best Frozen Treat You Can Make

Air fryer okra is a tasty, spicy, and crunchy side dish that can be made with fresh or frozen okra. When cooking frozen okra in an air fryer, there is no need to defrost it beforehand. The cooking time will vary depending on the model of your air fryer, but on average, it takes around 14-15 minutes to cook frozen okra in an air fryer. The okra should be cooked in a single layer to ensure even cooking, and it is also recommended to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process.

How to cook frozen okra in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen okra
• Olive oil spray
• Salt
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Cornmeal (optional)
• Flour (optional)
• Eggs (optional)
• Breadcrumbs (optional)
• Spices (optional): paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, black pepper, etc.

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Mixing bowl
• Oil sprayer/mister
• Tongs

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, turn it on to 400°F and let it heat up for 3-4 minutes.
• Place the frozen okra pieces in a mixing bowl and add any spices, salt, and olive oil. Combine well.
• Transfer the okra to the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer.
• Spray the okra with a little oil.
• Cook the okra for 15 minutes. Halfway through, shake the basket or flip the okra with tongs.
• If you want extra crispy okra, add another light spray of oil before cooking.
• Serve immediately.

Tips

• Frozen okra will lose its crispiness as it cools, so it's best enjoyed straight away.
• You can use any type of flour or breadcrumbs to coat the okra.
• If you don't have frozen okra, you can use fresh okra. Just be sure to cut it into small, even pieces so that they cook evenly.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. For best results, cook the okra in a single layer.

How to reheat frozen okra in an air fryer

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal temperature for reheating fried okra, as it will ensure the dish is warmed through without becoming too crispy.

Step 2: Place the Okra in the Air Fryer

Next, place the leftover fried okra in the air fryer basket. Spread the okra out in a single layer, ensuring the pieces do not pile on top of each other. This will guarantee even cooking and prevent overcrowding.

Step 3: Reheat the Okra

Now, simply reheat the okra in the air fryer for about 2 to 3 minutes. This will warm the okra thoroughly without overcooking it.

Step 4: Serve

Once the okra is heated through, remove it from the air fryer, and it's ready to be enjoyed!

Tips:

• You can store leftover okra in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for a day or two.
• While reheating, ensure the okra is spread out in a single layer for even cooking.
• You can also add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for some extra heat and flavor.

How to make frozen okra crispy in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Frozen okra
• Olive oil spray or 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat button, turn it on to 400°F and let it heat up for 3-4 minutes.
• Arrange the frozen okra in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
• Spray the okra with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil.
• Mix your desired spices together in a small bowl and sprinkle over the frozen okra. Alternatively, you can use a brush to lightly rub the spices all over the okra.
• Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking.
• For extra crispy okra, air fry for an additional 5 minutes.
• Garnish with red pepper flakes and serve!

Tips:

• Don't skip spraying or drizzling the okra with oil before air frying, as this will help to achieve a crispy, golden brown texture.
• If you prefer fresh okra, air fry for 10 minutes first and then check if it's crispy enough.
• You can store leftover okra in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• To reheat okra, use your air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid microwaving frozen okra as it will become soft and lose its crispiness.

How to bread frozen okra for an air fryer

To bread frozen okra for an air fryer, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to ensure your air fryer is preheated to the correct temperature to achieve the best results.

Next, prepare your frozen okra by placing it in the air fryer basket. Make sure the okra is spread out in a single layer, with none of the pieces overlapping or piling on top of each other. This will ensure even cooking and help you achieve the desired crispiness.

Once your okra is in the air fryer, you can spray it with oil. You can use olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil. An oil spray or mister is ideal for ensuring an even coating.

Now, it's time to cook your okra. Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes. After this initial cook, remove the basket, shake it to prevent the okra from sticking, and then cook for another 7 to 8 minutes. The total cook time should be around 14 minutes, but you can adjust this depending on your desired level of crispiness.

Finally, remove the okra from the air fryer and serve warm. You can enjoy your crispy, golden brown okra as a delicious side dish or appetizer.

You can also reheat any leftover okra in the air fryer. Simply preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the leftover okra for about 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through.

How to prevent frozen okra from becoming slimy in an air fryer

Okra is a tricky ingredient to cook with, as it can easily become slimy and unappetising. However, using an air fryer is a great way to avoid this issue and achieve crispy, delicious results. Here are some tips to ensure your frozen okra doesn't become slimy:

Choose the Right Cooking Method

Air frying is an excellent way to cook okra without making it slimy. The high heat and quick cooking time help to eliminate slime. Deep-frying or grilling are also good options, but they can be messier and less healthy.

Prepare the Okra Properly

Before cooking, wash the okra thoroughly under cold running water and pat it dry with a paper towel. Let it air dry completely before slicing it into 1/2-inch pieces. It's important that the okra is dry, as it hates water and will become super slimy if it's wet.

Use the Right Tools

Most standard air fryers can only fit enough okra for 2-4 servings at a time. It's important not to overcrowd the basket, so you may need to cook in multiple batches. Place the okra in a single layer with gaps for air circulation.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually between 350-400°F (175-200°C). This is important because it ensures the okra starts cooking as soon as it goes into the air fryer, helping to prevent sliminess.

Don't Overcook It

Okra only needs a short cooking time in the air fryer. Depending on your air fryer and the desired level of crispiness, cook the okra for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. Be careful not to overcook it, as this can make it slimy.

Add Oil Sparingly

You don't need to use much oil when air frying okra. A light spray or a few teaspoons of oil are usually enough to help the okra get golden brown and crispy. You can use olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or your favourite cooking oil.

Bread the Okra

For an extra crispy texture, you can bread the okra before air frying. Dip the okra in a flour mixture, then an egg mixture, and finally a cornmeal mixture before placing it in the air fryer. This creates a delicious, crispy coating that helps to prevent slime.

Serve It Right Away

Okra is best served fresh and crispy. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-6 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving leftover okra, as it will become soft and lose its crisp texture.

Frequently asked questions