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For a quick and delicious snack or side dish, try this Air Fryer Okra!
You only need 5 ingredients, and these okra fries take just 15 minutes to get browned and crispy in the air fryer. Serve them with ranch dressing or spicy Cajun remoulade sauce!
We often use okra to thicken gumbo like chicken and sausage gumbo or this seafood gumbo. And it shines as the main ingredient in this smothered okra recipe. It’s thick and delicious with tomatoes and plenty of Cajun flavor!
While these recipes slow cook okra for a tender texture, the air fryer yields crunchy okra!
This recipe doesn’t involve dipping the okra in egg or coating it in a messy breading. All you need is a few simple seasonings that are pantry staples!
Air fryer okra is a great way to change up your appetizers! For a fun snack night with friends, pair these okra fries with other Southern inspired appetizers like crispy Cajun crawfish egg rolls and crispy fried alligator bites.
Check out the air fryer okra story!
What is okra?
Okra is green with a long, slender shape and white seeds inside. You may also see it called lady fingers because of its shape. While it’s cooked and enjoyed as a vegetable, it’s actually a fruit, and has a mild, earthy flavor.
Okra contains mucilage, which is a natural thickener, so when it’s heated, okra acts as a thickener. This makes it a great addition to soups, stews and gumbos.
The typical season for okra is late spring, summer and early fall. To select the freshest okra, it should be bright green, firm and without blemishes.
Why this recipe works
- This recipe is a healthier version of crispy fried okra! You only need a tablespoon of oil to get crispy results in the air fryer.
- The mucilage can create a slimy texture when okra is heated. Since air frying cooks food quickly and at a high heat, the okra doesn’t get slimy!
- You only need 5 ingredients, and the okra is seasoned with basic pantry staples - salt, garlic powder and paprika. You can also change up the seasonings if you prefer!
What is an Air Fryer?
The Air Fryer is a healthier alternative to frying foods. It's basically a small, powerful convection oven that sits on your countertop.
It circulates hot air around the food you're cooking, which is what gives it that crisp texture that mimics fried food (without all the grease).
Read more about the health benefits of using an air fryer.
I personally use this Ninja MAX XL Air Fryer because it hold 5.5 quarts, which is more than most. It has worked great so far and we just love how easy it is to use!
Other air fryer recipes
Ingredients
For the full list of ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You’ll need 1 pound of fresh okra for this recipe. You’ll want to cut them in half lengthwise. This will expose the mucilage and help it cook quickly.
The okra is tossed with 1 tablespoon of avocado oil. You can also use olive oil, vegetable oil or canola oil.
For seasoning, you’ll need ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon of paprika.
I don’t recommend using fresh minced garlic as it can burn in the air fryer. The powder sticks well to the okra.
While I used traditional paprika in the seasoning, for a smoky flavor, you can substitute with smoked paprika.
Step by step instructions
Place the okra in a bowl and toss it with the avocado oil and seasonings.
Place it in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you'll need to cook in 2 batches).
Cook at 375F degrees for 10-15 minutes, until lightly browned and crisped at the edges.
Repeat with remaining okra.
Serve alone or with a dipping sauce like ranch dressing or Cajun remoulade.
Seasoning variations
For spicy okra, season with Cajun seasoning and/or a little cayenne pepper.
To add a smoky flavor, try smoked paprika, chili powder or cumin.
For a warm spice blend, use this homemade garam masala.
To keep things basic, just add salt and pepper.
And, for more savory okra fries, add some Italian seasoning or a mix of dried basil and oregano.
Expert tips
- Wash and dry the okra before cooking. To prevent it from getting slimy, wash it before you cut it and make sure it’s dried well. Drying the okra well will also ensure it gets crispy in the air fryer.
- While I don’t normally trim the ends and stems, you can do this if you prefer.
- If your air fryer model requires preheating, you should preheat it before adding the okra (at least for the first batch).
- If you don’t have a non-stick basket, you may want to spray your basket with oil. I recommend using a good quality spray oil. (Cooking sprays like PAM may damage your air fryer). I use this oil sprayer filled with my favorite oil.
- For even cooking, air fry the okra in a single layer. If the basket is overcrowded, the edges of the okra won’t get crispy.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will need to air fry the okra in at least 2 batches, possibly more if you have a small air fryer.
- Check on the okra mid-way through air frying and shake the basket to ensure even browning.
- Each air fryer cooks a little differently, so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
Common questions
I’ve found the ideal temperature is 375F degrees. This is high enough to cook the middle of the okra and get those crispy edges. If you set the temperature higher, the okra may brown too much on the outside before the middle is cooked.
At 375F degrees, it takes 10-15 minutes to cook each batch of okra. I suggest checking on it after 10 minutes, and if it isn’t browned or crispy enough for you, just keep air frying it.
I’ve only tested this recipe with fresh okra. If you only have access to frozen okra, I suggest defrosting it first. I also suggest using whole okra and slicing it lengthwise. Most frozen okra is cut into smaller rounds.
While I’ve heard of others doing this to help minimize okra’s sliminess, I haven’t tried this. I find rinsing the okra before it’s cut and drying it well helps prevent sliminess. Cooking okra at a high temperature, like in the air fryer, also helps it get crunchy.
Your air fried okra may turn out soggy or slimy if you didn’t dry it well enough before seasoning and air frying it. It may also be soggy if you didn’t air fry it long enough.
Storing and reheating leftovers
This air fryer okra is best served right away.
If you have leftovers, you can store them covered in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To reheat the okra, set the temperature of your air fryer to 375F degrees and cook for 5 minutes or until warmed through and crispy around the edges.
Other Southern inspired recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it turned out!
Air Fryer Okra
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh okra cut lengthwise
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Place the okra in a bowl and toss it with the avocado oil and seasonings.
- Place it in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you'll need to cook in 2 batches).
- Cook at 375F degrees for 10-15 minutes, until lightly browned and crisped at the edges.
- Repeat with remaining okra.
- Serve alone or with a dipping sauce like ranch dressing or Cajun remoulade.
Expert Tips:
- Wash and dry the okra before cooking. To prevent it from getting slimy, wash it before you cut it and make sure it’s dried well. Drying the okra well will also ensure it gets crispy in the air fryer.
- While I don’t normally trim the ends and stems, you can do this if you prefer.
- If your air fryer model requires preheating, you should preheat it before adding the okra (at least for the first batch).
- If you don’t have a non-stick basket, you may want to spray your basket with oil. I recommend using a good quality spray oil. (Cooking sprays like PAM may damage your air fryer). I use this oil sprayer filled with my favorite oil.
- For even cooking, air fry the okra in a single layer. If the basket is overcrowded, the edges of the okra won’t get crispy.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will need to air fry the okra in at least 2 batches, possibly more if you have a small air fryer.
- Check on the okra mid-way through air frying and shake the basket to ensure even browning.
- Each air fryer cooks a little differently, so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
Nutrition
abby
These were so good! My husband doesn't like okra and even he was eating these. So easy too - will definitely be making again!
Danielle
That's great to hear!