Meet your new favorite healthy snack! Air-Fryer Okra is crispy, tasty, and quick to prepare.
Okra is a polarizing vegetable, if there ever was one. First of all, it’s actually a fruit, not a vegetable. Second, it’s a bit slimy. Even those of us who love it are somewhat intrigued by it here and there due to its strange “mucilage” (that is actually the proper word for okra’s slime). As a native of south Louisiana, I grew up alongside the tall stalks of okra plants in my dad’s garden, marveling at their unexpectedly beautiful yellow-and-maroon flowers and eating okra fried, stewed, and baked. I’m firmly in the “love it” category of okra opinions.
If it’s cooked right, the gooey stuff isn’t overwhelming and can even be pleasant. The best way to do that is to bake it. Or, in the time of modern conveniences, I’d rather air fry it. And if you’re not ultimately going to add it to gumbo, stew it with tomatoes, or batter and fry it, let it cook a few extra minutes on the air fryer. You’ll eventually have an incredibly healthy snack!
This recipe for air fryer okra yields a well-spiced, tasty bite that will quickly be the hit of any party snack spread. I like to make them in batches and bring them to work, where I stash them in the fridge to nibble on all week. Nothing beats a crispy veggie (sorry, fruit) to get you through a case of the Mondays!
Is Air-Fryer Okra Healthy?
Okra on its own is very healthy. It contains a long list of vitamins, including A, B6, C, and K, along with minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and iron. If that weren’t enough, it’s also high in fiber and even contains a small dose of protein per serving. Thanks to the air fryer, we don’t need to cook the okra in a lot of oil—and the oil we do use is avocado oil, which contains healthy fats. The turmeric in the seasoning blend gives some anti-inflammatory goodness, too.
Overall, this recipe is low-calorie, and it’s suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets, as well as gluten-free and low-carb/keto diets (just don’t overdo it with the arrowroot powder, keto dieters).
Seasoning Blend Options For Air-Fryer Okra
This recipe for air fryer okra is seasoned with warming spices, such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric, and it turns out quite tasty! But feel free to tweak the seasoning blend to your preferences. Okra is great with tons of different spices. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
- Cajun seasoning blends: It’s only fair to try your okra with a little bit of Southern signature flavor! Sprinkle your favorite Cajun seasoning blend for a spicy treat.
- Za’atar: Za’atar is a sumac-based Middle Eastern spice blend that also contains oregano, marjoram, thyme, toasted sesame seeds, and salt. It’s lovely on many different foods, and I love it on my okra!
- Curry powder: Plenty of Indian regions use okra in their cuisine, so it only makes sense to experiment with curry flavors on this crunchy snack. If you go this route, check your curry powder. Some don’t contain salt, so you may need to add it.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Let the okra cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months if you store it in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag or container. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge, then use the air fryer to reheat them to your desired level of crispiness.
Serving Suggestions
I love these alone as a snack, but you can also serve them as an appetizer, perhaps with some Lemon Aioli on the side for dipping. You can add them to this delicious Vegetarian Succotash, or serve them as a side dish alongside tasty main dishes like this Paleo Cajun Cauliflower Casserole or Indian Chicken Kebabs.
Ingredients
- 1 pound okra washed, dried, and cut in half lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 2½ tablespoons arrowroot powder
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the halved okra with avocado oil, ensuring each piece is lightly coated.
- Season the okra with kosher salt, garlic powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder, then sprinkle with arrowroot powder to coat evenly.
- Arrange the okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlapping pieces for even cooking.
- Air fry at 400°F for 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Once the okra is golden brown, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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