Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Okra Recipe

Crispy, Delicious, and Healthy - A Super Easy Air Fryer Recipe for Breaded Okra

Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Okra is a scrumptious and guilt-free snack or a great side dish made with a few simple ingredients.

It's incredibly easy to whip up and quite possibly the best way to enjoy this nutritious vegetable.

Jump to:

• What is Okra?
• Why This Recipe Works?
• Selecting the Perfect Okra
• Ingredients You'll Need
• How to Make Breaded Okra in Air Fryer?
• Top Tips From the Chef
• What to Serve with Breaded Okra in Air Fryer?
• Storage and Reheating Instructions
• Recipe FAQs
• Related Recipes
• Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Okra Recipe

The air fryer works its magic by using hot air circulation to create perfectly crispy and evenly cooked results, all without drowning your food in excess oil.

This rapid cooking process not only locks in those delicious flavors but also delivers that extra crunchy perfect crispy snack we are after.

What is Okra?

Okra, also known as lady's finger or gumbo, is a vibrant green vegetable with a distinct shape and texture. It's like nature's little treasure!

You can find it in various cuisines from around the world, adding its own special touch to dishes.

Okra has a mild and pleasant flavor that plays well with other ingredients, especially tomatoes and lemon juice.

When cooked, it becomes tender and slightly crunchy, creating a delightful and unique texture.

If you want to explore different ways of cooking this incredible vegetable, have a look at my Bamya - Turkish Okra Stew recipe.

Why This Recipe Works?

• The combination of breading the okra and air frying it creates a delightfully crispy exterior while maintaining a tender interior. It's the perfect balance of texture.

• By using the air fryer, you can achieve that coveted crispiness without excessive oil. It's a healthier alternative to deep-frying, reducing unnecessary calories and saturated fats.

• The hot air circulation in the air fryer ensures that the okra cooks evenly from all sides. No more worrying about unevenly cooked or soggy pieces.

• This crispy air fryer okra recipe is incredibly simple and doesn't require much time or effort. It's a great option for a quick snack or an easy side dish.

• You can enjoy this crispy breaded okra on its own as a snack with a dipping sauce or serve it as a tasty side dish. It also pairs well with various dips (try it with Tartar Sauce with Capers) or sauces.

If you're looking for additional air fryer recipes, you'll definitely want to try these effortless recipes for Homemade Tater Tots in Air Fryer, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, and Easy Air Fryer Asparagus.

Selecting the Perfect Okra

To create the ultimate crispy breaded okra, selecting the right ingredients is crucial.

Look for fresh, vibrant okra pods that are firm and free from blemishes.

The stem of the okra pod should be fresh and green. If it appears dry or brown, the okra may be old or past its prime.

Okra is in season during the summer months, from June to September, so this is the best time to buy fresh, locally-grown okra.

Opt for medium-sized pods as they tend to be less fibrous, ensuring a more tender and enjoyable texture.

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

• Okra - When choosing okra pods, opt for fresh ones that are of the same size to ensure even cooking. Prior to cooking, give the okra a good wash and make sure to dry it thoroughly.

• Crispy breading mixture - The key to an exceptional crispy breaded okra is the combination of flour and cornmeal flavored with paprika, garlic powder, freshly ground pepper, and salt.

• Egg+milk - The mixture of an egg and a small amount of milk helps the coating adhere to the okra.

• Cooking spray - Lightly coat breaded okra pods with cooking spray, olive oil, or avocado oil for extra crispness.

How to Make Breaded Okra in Air Fryer?

Cooking okra in an air fryer is very easy and to achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:

Preheat your air fryer to 195° C (380° F).

Rinse the okra and pat it dry with a paper towel. Trim the ends and cut okra into rounds about 1 ½ cm (½ ") thick.

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and milk along with half of the paprika, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.

In another small bowl, mix the cornmeal and flour along with the other half of the paprika, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Dip sliced okra pods into the egg mixture.

Remove okra with a slotted spoon allowing any excess to drip off, then coat it thoroughly with the seasoned cornmeal mixture.

Place the coated okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do it in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the okra pods.

Lightly spray the okra with oil for added crispiness.

Cook the okra in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Once the okra is golden brown and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Top Tips From the Chef

• Choose Fresh Okra - Select fresh and vibrant okra pods for the best flavor and texture. Look for pods that are firm, bright green, and free from any blemishes or soft spots.

• Pat Dry the Okra - Before breading the okra, make sure to thoroughly pat it dry with a paper towel. This helps remove any excess moisture, ensuring a crispier end result.

• Uniform Slicing - Slice the okra into even-sized pieces for consistent cooking. This ensures that all the okra pieces cook evenly and reach the desired level of crispiness.

• Shake the Basket - While cooking in the air fryer, give the basket a shake halfway through the cooking time. This helps to ensure that the okra cooks evenly on all sides.

• Serve Immediately - For the best texture and flavor, enjoy the crispy breaded okra immediately after cooking. The longer it sits, the more it may lose its crispiness.

What to Serve with Breaded Okra in Air Fryer?

Air-fried okra makes a wonderfully healthy great side dish!

Here are some delicious options to serve alongside your crispy okra:

Prepare some flavorful dipping sauces to complement the okra.

Consider classic options like Tartar Sauce with Capers, fiery Thai Style Tomato Chili Jam, tangy barbecue sauce, spicy aioli, or a zesty tomato-based dip.

Add the crispy breaded okra as a tasty topping to Air Fryer Hamburgers for an extra crunch and texture.

Toss the crispy okra on top of a fresh salad such as Orzo Pasta Salad or Lebanese Fattoush Salad for added flavor and crunch.

Serve the crispy okra as part of an appetizer platter alongside other finger foods like Crispy Duck Spring Rolls, Sticky and Spicy Baked Chicken Wings, or Mucver (Turkish Zucchini Fritters).

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Allow the cooked okra to cool completely, place it in an airtight container, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

To reheat the leftover okra, preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F), place them in a single layer in the air-fryer basket, and reheat for about 5-7 minutes or until heated through.

This will help maintain the crispiness of the coating.

While it may not retain the same level of crispiness, you can also use the microwave for reheating convenience.

Place the okra on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high in 30-second intervals until it reaches the desired temperature.

Recipe FAQs

Related Recipes

For more delicious Air Fryer recipes why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this super easy, healthy, and delicious Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Okra Recipe as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

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