Air Fryer Dried Okra: A Quick, Easy, Healthy Treat

Air fryer okra is a great way to enjoy the vegetable without the slimy texture that often puts people off. The air fryer transforms okra into a crispy, crunchy snack that can be seasoned to your liking. This method is also vegan, gluten-free, and lower in calories and carbs than traditional fried okra. Here's a simple recipe to get you started.

How to cut okra for air fryer

Preparing okra for an air fryer is simple. First, wash the okra and trim off the ends. Then, cut the okra into pieces. The size of the pieces will depend on your preference. Some recipes suggest cutting the okra into rounds about 1/2-inch thick, while others suggest slicing the okra lengthwise to create "fries." Regardless of the shape, it is important to ensure that the pieces are evenly sized so that they cook evenly in the air fryer.

Once the okra is cut, you can proceed with the rest of the recipe, which typically involves coating the okra with a breading or spice mixture and then air frying until crispy.

• If you are making a breaded okra recipe, you may want to slice the okra a bit thicker (about 1/4-inch thick) so that it can better withstand the breading process.
• For recipes that call for frozen okra, it is best to use pre-sliced frozen okra that is already cut into circles. This will help ensure even cooking.
• If you want to reduce the slime factor, you can soak the sliced okra in egg for about 10 minutes before breading and frying.

Air fryer temperature and time

The temperature and time for air-frying okra depend on the type of okra used and whether you want to include a second round of frying.

Fresh Okra

If you are using fresh okra, you should air fry it at 350°F (175°C) or 400°F for 10 minutes, tossing halfway through. If you want to include a second round of frying, toss the breaded okra in oil and air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Frozen Okra

If you are using frozen okra, you can air fry it straight from frozen. The cooking time will be longer, around 12 to 15 minutes at 400°F. If you are using frozen okra and want to include a second round of frying, fry for an additional 5 minutes.

How to make okra crispy in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Okra
• Cornmeal
• Flour
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or cornstarch
• Egg (optional)
• Cooking spray (optional)

Steps:

• Wash and dry the okra.
• Trim off the woody ends of the okra.
• Cut the okra into 1/2-inch thick rounds or lengthwise to resemble fries.
• Place the okra in a large mixing bowl.
• Drizzle oil over the okra and toss to combine.
• Add salt, garlic powder, paprika, pepper, and arrowroot powder to the bowl. Stir until all pieces of okra are evenly coated.
• Transfer the okra to the air fryer trays or basket, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F.
• Air fry the okra for 12-20 minutes, rotating or shaking the trays/basket halfway through cooking.
• Once the okra is crispy and golden brown, remove it from the air fryer.
• Serve immediately with your choice of sauce.

Tips:

• If you prefer a breaded texture, create a breading mixture with cornmeal and flour, and a simple egg wash with beaten egg and water. Dip the okra in the egg wash, let the excess drip off, then transfer to the cornmeal mixture.
• For extra crispiness, spritz the okra with cooking spray halfway through the frying process.

Okra breading for air fryer

Ingredients

• Okra
• Cornmeal
• Flour
• Breadcrumbs
• Olive oil
• Avocado oil
• Egg
• Water
• Spices (e.g. garlic powder, paprika, salt, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder)
• Arrowroot powder/tapioca starch/cornstarch

Method

• Wash and dry the okra, trim the ends, and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices or halves.
• Prepare the breading mixture by combining cornmeal, flour, and spices in a shallow dish.
• Make an egg wash by whisking together egg and water in a separate bowl.
• Dip the okra into the egg wash, letting any excess drip off, then transfer to the cornmeal mixture and coat all sides.
• Place the breaded okra into the air fryer basket in a single layer, and spritz with oil.
• Air fry at 380-400°F for 7-8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Tips:

• For vegan and gluten-free okra, omit the egg and use arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or cornstarch instead of flour.
• For extra crispiness, cut the okra into halves lengthwise to expose the slimy middle to the air fryer.
• You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicier dish.

Okra seasoning for air fryer

Okra is often referred to as a slimy vegetable, but air frying it can turn it into a crispy, crunchy delight. Here are some tips and tricks for seasoning okra in an air fryer:

Seasoning Options:

• Salt and pepper: A simple sprinkle of salt and pepper can enhance the natural flavour of okra.
• Garlic powder: A crowd-pleaser, garlic powder can add a punch of flavour to your okra.
• Cumin, coriander, and turmeric: These spices give the okra an Indian flair, inspired by the dish "kurkuri bhindi".
• Cayenne pepper: If you like it hot, cayenne pepper will add a kick to your okra.
• Paprika: A mild spice that can add a touch of heat and colour to your okra.
• Hot pepper flakes: Spice up your okra with some hot pepper flakes for an extra kick.
• Sriracha salt: For those who like their food savoury and spicy, sriracha salt is a great option.
• "Everything" seasoning: This versatile blend can add a burst of flavour to your okra.

Preparation:

• Wash and dry the okra thoroughly before cutting off the ends.
• Cut the okra in half lengthwise to expose the "slimy" middle to the air fryer, resulting in a crispier texture.
• Drizzle avocado oil or olive oil over the okra slices and toss to combine.
• Add your chosen seasonings and arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or cornstarch to the bowl. Stir until all pieces of okra are evenly coated.
• Arrange the okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket or trays.
• Air fry at 400°F for 20 minutes, rotating the trays or shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
• Keep an eye on the okra from the 15-minute mark to prevent burning.
• Once the okra is crispy and golden brown around the edges, remove it from the air fryer and serve.

Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and spices to find your perfect flavour combination!

Frequently asked questions