Air Fryer Okra Recipe (Crispy & Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

FAQs

How long does okra need to be in the air fryer? ›

Place okra in the air fryer basket, spray with olive oil spray and sprinkle with salt. Place basket in the air fryer and cook on 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden. Serve with Vegetable Dip or Sour Cream.

Oven-warming for long-lasting crunch: To keep crispy dishes warm in the oven without compromising texture, place them on a wire rack and bake at 170 to 200 degrees. This method preserves the crunch for about 15 to 20 minutes, ensuring no crispness is lost when served.

Place the breaded okra in the air fryer and spritz them with a little oil, then cook for 7 to 8 minutes until golden brown on the outside. Remove the okra from the air fryer enjoy!

The short answer is no, you don't have to soak it before cooking, but some recipes suggest soaking the okra in a vinegar mixture to reduce sliminess. To soak okra, pour 125ml (1/2 cup) vinegar into a bowl. Add 500g okra (the ratio of vinegar to okra is 125ml vinegar to every 500g okra). Turn the okra to coat.

Be careful to not overcook the okra, as this will make it slimy and mushy.

For a hint of heat, add a pinch (or two) of cayenne pepper. Vegetable oil has a high smoke point, so it's perfect for frying okra to crispy perfection.

The moistened okra adheres to the breading during frying. Breading does not stick to dry okra. And in my opinion, buttermilk makes a breading which is too thick which also causes the breading to fall off.

The thing some people dislike about okra—the slime—is part of what makes it good for you, too. The gel-like substance is rich in soluble fiber, known for its potential to lower blood cholesterol and be fermented in the gut. This promotes the growth of healthy bacteria that helps break down food and synthesize vitamins.

Do you thaw frozen okra before frying? We prefer fresh okra for its texture and flavor, but if you're in a pinch, you can use frozen okra instead. Frozen okra needs to be thawed completely before cooking, but just be warned, the thawed okra will be wet (which can make it mushy).

Lemon juice, chopped tomatoes, vinegar, or a splash of wine will not only add depth to your recipe, but it will also lower your slime quotient. A vinegar bath also does wonders to reduce the slimy consistency. Before cooking, soak the pods in vinegar for 30 minutes to help break up and dissolve the slime.

How to make crispy in air fryer? ›

While we wish it were possible to fry without any oil, air fryers do need a little oil to make your food crispy (but you'll use a lot less than a traditional fryer). Toss your food with a small amount of oil (around a tablespoon or less) to coat it evenly, then add it to the air fryer basket.

It should work. The one exception might be if you like a very thick breading on your fried chicken. If you double dip your chicken in flour for the coating, it's going to be hard to hydrate all that flour in an air fryer, and you'll almost certainly end up with floury spots that haven't really cooked.

One popular way to reduce okra's sliminess is to "soak it in vinegar for 30 minutes [before cooking with it], which helps to break up and dissolve the slime," says food scientist, food industry consultant, and author Bryan Le.

Place okra in a saucepan; add enough water to cover the okra and salt to taste; bring the water to boil. Cover the pan and cook eight to 10 minutes or until the okra is tender. Drain well and, if desired, toss with a little butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

To cook fresh food in an air fryer, Jenny suggests subtracting 20°C from the typical oven temperature and reducing the oven cooking time by 20-25%. For example, if the oven instruction calls for cooking at 180°C for 25 minutes, set your air fryer to 160°C for 20 minutes.

Faster cooking: Air fryers cook food faster than traditional ovens, making it a time-efficient cooking method. Versatility: Air fryers can cook a variety of foods, including meat, vegetables, and even baked goods.