Air fryer okra is a fail-proof way to get crispy okra with charred edges! Okra is sliced in half and boldly seasoned before being air fried to perfection.
Ellen’s Notes
Okra’s one of my favorite veggies to eat. It’s crazy to me that it’s not more popular! When you cook it just right, it’s never slimy. Instead, it’s extra crispy with tender centers. Plus, it has such a mild flavor, it really adapts well to any seasoning you sprinkle on it.
Every time I make this okra, my family comes running. I’m not joking! They fight over it before we have even served dinner. The okra soaks up the spices beautifully, delivering a punch of flavor alongside the charred edges.
Simple ingredients, fast cook time, and seriously crispy, what more could you want? This air fryer okra has it all!
Key Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Okra: Use fresh okra for this recipe, not pickled or frozen. For the best texture, go for smaller, tender okra pods, about 3 to 4 inches long without any bruising or browning. Larger okra tends to be fibrous and tough.
- Avocado Oil: I recommend using avocado oil (or another oil with a high smoke point) as we are air frying the okra at 400°F.
- Seasonings: I like to use a combination of garlic salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper. However, there’s plenty of room for creativity here! I often will use our favorite Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or even a sprinkle of parmesan works great here too. Okra is very versatile!
Tips For Making Air Fryer Okra
This air fryer okra delivers that irresistible crunch in record time. Below are a few helpful tips, scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full instructions!
Make sure the okra is dry. After washing, pat the okra thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Any leftover water turns to steam in the air fryer, which softens the coating and prevents browning.
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Cut your okra in half, lengthwise, for maximum crispiness. You can slice it into rounds, but I prefer the crispy edges you get when they are cut into long strips. Then you can also enjoy them like okra fries and dip them into a sauce!
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. In order for all of the okra to cook evenly and crisp up, it’s important to place them in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed.
Every air fryer is different, so the cook time can vary slightly. I recommend checking on your okra in the air fryer around the 10-minute mark. I personally found the sweet spot to be around 13 minutes of total cook time. If you are using a basket style air fryer, I recommend shaking the basket halfway through so everything crisps evenly.
How To Serve Air Fryer Okra
We gobble it up straight off the pan! You can serve it alongside any protein, but we often serve it with our favorite cast iron steak or blackened shrimp.
While this okra is great all by itself, it’s also fun to dip in condiments like remoulade sauce, creamy Tajin sauce, and bang bang sauce. Even regular ketchup is tasty too!
Can I Make It Ahead?
It’s best to serve air fryer okra right away while it’s got the maximum amount of crisp.
If you do have leftovers, wait for them to fully cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, just pop them right back in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through.
Air Fryer Okra
Ingredients
- 1 lb okra, stem removed and sliced in half
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil, use a high burn oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
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Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with avocado spray or use non-stick spray.
- Toss the okra with the oil and seasonings. Spread the okra evenly over the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes. Check for doneness at 10 minutes, shaking the basket when you check on it for more even cooking.
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Nutrition
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
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