Quick & Easy Air Fryer Okra

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, this air fryer okra is one of the best vegetables you can make. It's a great side that is quick, easy, delicious, and super healthy! And, if you've never made okra air fryer "style", well, after you do, you might never make it another way again. It's that good!

The Best Air Fryer Okra 

Okra - also known as ladies' fingers - is a vegetable that is an abundant source of vitamins C, K, A, B6, folate, and magnesium. 

If you've never heard of it before, it's an edible seed pod that comes from the tropical plant Abelmoscheus. And while eating okra raw is not very appetizing, cooking okra in the air fryer - or really any other way - is actually really tasty!

With that said, what I really love about making this recipe is that it only takes about 10 minutes total to make. And the entire time is pretty much passive cooking, so you can make this blackened chicken while the okra is frying for a completely healthy meal.

Ingredients 

Ok, so you only need a couple of ingredients for this recipe. And if you pick up some fresh okra from your local farmers market or the grocery store, I can almost guarantee you have the three other ingredients. 

Here's everything you will need:

• 2 cups Okra (about 16 individual pieces)
• 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

Pretty basic ingredients list, eh?!

And if you have the oil, salt, and pepper, you have almost everything you need to make these air fryer potato wedges next.

Oh, and what's great about this recipe is you can make as much okra or as little as you want! Just adjust the amount of oil, salt, and pepper you use. By the way, if you have extra okra, you have to make my pickled okra next!

How To Make Air Fryer Okra

Step 1: Preparing the Okra

First, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200ºC). 

Then, if you're using fresh okra, wash and dry all of them thoroughly. 

Next, if desired, trim the ends of the okra, and you can cut them in half if they fit better in your air fryer. 

Step 2: Cooking and Serving

Now, arrange the okra in the air fryer basket and drizzle olive oil on top of them.

Then sprinkle salt and pepper on the okra, and give the air fryer a shake to coat them. Alternatively, you can put the okra in a bowl, pour the olive oil on top, and toss them in salt and pepper.

Next, cook for 8 minutes, and flip it halfway through the cooking time to make sure all pieces are nice and crispy on both sides. 

Once cooked and all golden and crispy, remove the okra from the air fryer using tongs.

Serve with anything you want and enjoy!

What can I eat with air fryer okra?

This is a great healthy snack eaten alone or dipped in a sauce like ranch. But it's also an excellent side dish that goes with more foods than you could imagine. 

Here are some ideas of what you can eat it with:

• Chicken Meatloaf
• Chicken Tempura
• Lamb Breast
• Instant Pot Polenta
• Instant Pot Risotto

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Air Fryer Okra Taste Like?

Okra has a very unique flavor profile which is one of the reasons why many people don't enjoy eating it. The taste of okra can be described as sweet and grassy. But the flavor of this vegetable largely depends on the cooking method you use to prepare it - making air fried okra gives it a more neutral flavor. 

Can You Use Frozen Okra for This Recipe?

Okra is a seasonal vegetable and if you don't have access to fresh okra, using frozen okra is a great option! You can make this air fryer frozen okra recipe the same way as explained above - just add some more cooking time.

How do you Store Leftover Okra?

It's best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can keep them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How do you reheat okra?

I like to reheat it in the air fryer at 325°F (160°C) for about 5-10 minutes. I don't recommend reheating it in the microwave as it will make it soggy. 

My Final Thoughts

Even if you are not a huge okra fan - or have never heard of it - I highly recommend giving this recipe a try! It's a fun change-up from traditional vegetables, and it's so quick and easy to prepare. 

Anyway, if you make this recipe, don't forget to let us know in the comments how you liked it!

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