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HomeCooking MethodAir Fryer

Air Fryer Okra

Cheryl Malik
Cheryl Malik Posted: 07/08/21 Updated: 11/08/21
5
/5
7 Comments
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GF Gluten Free DF Dairy Free V Vegetarian
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Pin graphic for air fryer okra
Pin graphic for air fryer okra
Pin graphic for air fryer okra
Pin graphic for air fryer okra
Pin graphic for air fryer okra
Pin graphic for air fryer okra
Pin graphic for air fryer okra

Easy air fryer fried okra is a lighter version of a classic Southern side dish. Fresh okra is battered in a seasoned cornmeal mixture then air fried until golden and crispy for a perfect quick snack or side that’ll please any crowd.

Air fryer okra in a bowl next to a small bowl of lemon garlic aioli

What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • Fried okra is a Southern staple! This air fryer version is every bit as good as the deep fried classic, but without the actual deep frying. The okra comes out light, crispy, and delicious.
  • The breading is perfectly seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, and a little cayenne pepper to add the right amount of flavor to every bite.
  • It’s such an easy recipe! Once you’ve got the hang of breading the okra, everything goes really quickly. Whip this up whenever you want a healthier crunchy snack or an easy side dish for BBQ chicken or pulled pork.

Key Ingredients

Okra – Use fresh okra and cut away the stems and tips, then slice the remaining okra into ½-to-1-inch-thick slices. You can also use frozen cut okra – just make sure to thaw it first, then pat it completely dry before breading it. Too much moisture will keep the batter from sticking, and the okra will be slimy.

Cornmeal – If you don’t have cornmeal, you can use just flour, but the cornmeal adds a texture and crispiness you won’t get from the flour alone.

Cayenne Pepper – If you’re not a fan of anything spicy, you can leave the cayenne pepper out of the breading. I really love the flavor boost it adds, though! You could also use smoked paprika instead of or with the cayenne pepper.

Chef’s Tips

  • Be sure to use a cooking spray that’s safe for air fryers! Anything aerosolized (like PAM) contains harsh ingredients that can damage the coating on your air fryer basket. Avocado oil and light olive oil have a high smoke point that makes them perfect for the air fryer.
  • For even crispier air fryer okra, lightly spray the okra with cooking spray twice – once before you put them in the air fryer, then again when you shake the basket after the first 6 minutes. Depending on your air fryer and your preferences, one spray may be perfect for you.
  • This method works for frozen breaded okra, too. Since it’s already battered, just skip all those steps and go straight to the air fryer! 400°F for 15 minutes, shaking once halfway through, will give you even easier air fryer frozen okra.
Air fryer okra in a bowl of lemon garlic aioli

More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

  • Air Fryer Empanadas
  • Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
  • Frozen Burritos in the Air Fryer
  • Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
  • Air Fryer Steak with Easy Herb Butter
  • Sausage in the Air Fryer

I hope you love this recipe as much as we did! Be sure to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, too!

 

For more delicious, nutritious recipes, head over to our sister site, 40 Aprons.

Air fryer okra in a bowl next to a small bowl of lemon garlic aioli
5 from 3 votes

Air Fryer Okra

Prep:15 minutes
Cook:15 minutes
Total:30 minutes
Easy air fryer fried okra is a lighter version of a classic Southern side dish. Fresh okra is battered in a seasoned cornmeal mixture then air fried until golden and crispy for a perfect quick snack or side that'll please any crowd.
Print Save Saved!
4

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup cornmeal
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ⅓ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 pound fresh okra cut into ½-to-1-inch-thick slices and patted dry
  • air-fryer-safe cooking spray

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Medium bowls (2)

Instructions 

  • Preheat air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit.
  • Mix together cornmeal, all-purpose flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in medium bowl.
    Cornmeal mixture in large glass bowl
  • Dip okra slices in beaten eggs, coating both sides. Let excess egg drip off okra back into bowl, then dredge okra in cornmeal mixture, coating both sides. Tap okra against side of bowl to remove excess cornmeal. Repeat until all okra slices are battered.
    Okra in cornmeal mixture in large glass bowl
  • Place battered okra in air fryer basket in one even layer, being careful not to overcrowd basket. Work in batches as needed. Spray okra liberally with air-fryer-safe cooking spray, then place basket in air fryer.
    Okra in air fryer basket
  • Cook 6 minutes, then gently shake basket and cook additional 6 minutes, or until okra is golden brown and crispy. Transfer to plate and cook remaining okra slices. Serve with lemon-garlic aioli, if desired.
    Okra in air fryer basket

Notes

  • Work in batches as needed to avoid overcrowding air fryer basket.
  • Make it Gluten Free: Use gluten free all-purpose flour. Make sure your cornmeal is labelled “gluten free” to avoid cross-contamination.

 

For the Lemon-Garlic Aioli (optional)

Ingredients
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
  • Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to smooth.
 
 
Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 4, using the ingredients listed. Nutritional values do not include information for lemon-garlic aioli. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by 4. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 4ounces, Calories: 226kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 82mg, Sodium: 332mg, Potassium: 494mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 1000IU, Vitamin C: 26mg, Calcium: 112mg, Iron: 3mg, Net Carbs: 32g

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

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Recipe Rating




  1. AvatarTiana says

    Posted on 7/28/22 at 9:37 pm

    5 stars
    Works perfect

    Reply
    • Grace McCreaveGrace McCreave says

      Posted on 7/29/22 at 12:28 pm

      SO happy to hear! Thanks for sharing ♥

      Reply
  2. AvatarSharon S. says

    Posted on 3/12/22 at 11:06 pm

    5 stars
    Wonderful recipe. My Okra was very crispy and delicious.

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | Easy Healthy Recipes TeamAnna Claire | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      Posted on 3/23/22 at 9:13 pm

      5 stars
      Glad to hear it!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Cheryl! I've been developing healthy, family-friendly recipes at 40 Aprons for over 10 years. I believe food should be delicious and healthy eating doesn't have to be complicated!

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