Air Fryer Okra is a classic Southern side, lightened up by using an air fryer instead of cooking it in all that oil!
Air fryer okra? Air fried okra? Whatever you want to call it, this is fried okra cooked in an air fryer and if you’re a Southerner (or a wannabe) who loves this crunchy goodness, you’re going to freak out over the guilt-free version.
Do I need an air fryer?
I’m so glad you asked! By now I’m sure you know that air fryers are the easy little appliance that magically fries food with little or no oil, which means much less calories when you’re craving something that is typically greasy like fried okra.
We also love to make Air Fryer Catfish Fillets, which make you think of an old school fish fry – but without the grease. And Air Fryer Lobster tails are hands-down the best way to cook these special treats (but easy enough for a weeknight).
Lots of fish fries would include shrimp, and yep, we’ve got Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp for you too! All you need is a bowl of cocktail sauce and you’ve got it made in the shade! Air Fryer Asparagus Parmesan is a super quick and easy side that can be dressed up for a fancy dinner. Air Fryer Home Fries is another perfect side, but they’re also a rustic breakfast classic.
Sure, there are baked version of our favorite foods out there, but let’s be honest: you don’t get the same crunch and sometimes you just don’t want the hassle (or the warmth!) of heating up that whole oven for a side dish. With an air fryer, those problems are totally eliminated.
Haven’t bought an air fryer yet? Here are some of our favorites! And when you do get yours, be sure to check out our Greek lemon chicken skewers… I promise you’ll be hooked.
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How to Make Air Fryer Okra
Ok, enough jibber-jabber. Let’s talk okra! When you’re frying okra the old fashioned way you would typically never see the okra dipped in egg first, so don’t be thrown off by that!
That egg is the perfect binder for the batter to make sure none of it comes off while you’re cooking and will keep the okra nice and moist inside its crunchy shell.
As for the batter, y’all know us… we love a Cajun/Creole flair to all things. If you don’t believe me you can check out our take on Fried Green Tomatoes or even Beef Tenderloin. Our air fryer okra has that same Creole taste thanks to Tony Chachere, but you can use whatever Cajun or Creole taste you want to spice it up.
Any Southerner will tell you that fried veggies or even fried shrimp are best with the crunch that comes from cornmeal so we used a combination of cornmeal and flour along with the Creole seasoning.
After you dip your okra in the egg, toss them in a zipper bag with all the dry ingredients, seal it up, and give it a shake- a perfect way to avoid a mess while you’re making air fryer okra!
How long do I cook okra in the air fryer?
It’s going to vary just a little bit based on how crunchy you want it and how much okra you have in there, but my general rule for air fryer okra is to spray it down with spray oil and then cook it for 5 minutes on 400.
Then, toss it, spray it again, and cook for another 5 minutes. After that, check it! It may be good then, but if not, just toss, spray, and repeat for another 3-5 minutes. Easy peasy!
What type of oil spray/mist is best?
We’ve tried the refillable type oil misters and don’t recommend them. Your goal is to get a really fine mist of oil. That way you use the least amount of oil while still giving the okra (or whatever you’re cooking). We found the refillable type tend to spray vs. misting.
Traditional cooking sprays like we use to keep food from sticking to pans isn’t recommended either. They have additives that tend to scorch or burn in the air fryer.
Our favorites are the type that have no propellant, but are non-refillable. This one is an avocado oil and our other favorite is a canola oil mister.
More okra recipes
If you love okra and love all of the great health benefits of including it in your diet you’ll want to try these too:
- Southern Style Vegetable Beef Soup
- Quick and Easy Spicy Pickled Okra
- Gumbo (a Cajun/Creole classic)
- Southern Style Vegetable Chicken Soup
If you make this or any of our recipes we’d love for you to leave us a comment and star rating. If you’re into sharing your creations, snap a photo and tag us when you post it to Facebook or Instagram.
Air Fryer Okra
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh okra sliced into ½ inch slices
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
- black pepper to taste
- 2 eggs
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400.
- Combine cornmeal, flour, Cajun seasoning, and black pepper in a gallon-sized zipper bag. Shake to mix well.
- Beat the egg in a medium-sized bowl. Add cut okra and stir to coat.
- Let excess egg drip off okra as you transfer it to the bag. Reseal and shake to coat okra completely.
- Spray the inside of the air fryer basket and transfer okra to the basket. Spray with cooking spray, toss, and spray again. Let cook 5 minutes.
- Toss okra, spray with more cooking spray, and cook 5 more minutes.
- Check for crispiness. Depending on your air fryer, your okra may be done now. If not, toss the okra, spray again, and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
Nutrition
Want more twists on Southern classics?
Dannii says
I am always looking for new ways to use my air fryer, and making okra in it sounds amazing.
Pam says
Just in time for this year’s fresh okra!
Sharon says
Classic fried okra for summer gets an air fryer makeover? Yes, please! They come out crispy and delicious without the oil.
Pam says
Exactly! Thanks, Sharon.
Helen says
I’ve never seen okra done this way before – it looks so crunchy and yummy!
Pam says
It’s really good! Thanks, Helen.
Beth Sachs says
Another great recipe to try in my air fryer! Love that it is lower in fat too!
Pam says
Hope you enjoy!
Beth says
This is such a delicious way to cook okra! I even got my picky husband to eat them! Thanks!
Pam says
Yay! So glad to hear that.
Heather Johnson says
yum – air fryer okra is the way i could finally eat it – love this!
Pam says
Hope you’ll love it Heather!
Denay DeGuzman says
This fabulous okra recipe is easy and delicious! A perfect appetizer for game day. I love that I used my air fryer to make this yummy party snack.
Pam says
Great idea to serve it as a party snack. Maybe with an interesting dip?
Lima Ekram says
I love okra but never tried it in my air fryer! Looks super delicious – cant wait to try it!
Pam says
It’s a great way to cook it.
Maria says
This is such a healthy treat! A great way to make okra easier to eat especially for the kids.
Pam says
Hope they love it.
Biana says
What a great way to cook okra in the air fryer! A great side dish to serve with chicken.
Pam says
Yes! Perfect with chicken. Thank you, Biana.
Rosemary says
I don’t eat okra much even though I see it quite a bit at the markets. It’s mostly because I don’t know how to cook it at home. This recipe is super simple and healthy. I’ll pick some up this weekend and make some okra at home. Thanks for the easy-to-follow recipe.
Pam says
Hope you love it like we do Rosemary.
Stephanie MyerS says
I have cut frozen okra from my summer garden. Would I cook the same way? The egg wash and breading on frozen okra? Perhaps cooking longer? Please advise. Thank you.
Pam says
Hi Stephanie, We haven’t tested it with frozen okra. However, another reader writes that she has and it works fine. She said a total of 14-16 minutes, so I would just start checking after about 10-12 minutes just like you do with fresh okra.
Linda says
When fresh okra are out of season, I use frozen cut up okra. I bread them frozen, same as you, spray with olive oil, cook 14-16 minutes in preheated fryer at 400 degrees. So, so good. Happy New Year to you.
Pam says
Thanks so much for letting us know Linda. Happy New Year!