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.
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.
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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.
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Air Fryer Okra
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh okra sliced into 1/2 inch slices
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/4 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.
Want more twists on Southern classics?
Smoked Mac N Cheese 
Pimento Cheese Biscuits 
Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bites 
Spicy Pickled Okra 
Shrimp & Grits 
Pimento Cheese Grits 
Southern Appetizer Board 
Sweet Potato Cornbread 
Muffaletta Shot Apps
I am always looking for new ways to use my air fryer, and making okra in it sounds amazing.
Just in time for this year’s fresh okra!
Classic fried okra for summer gets an air fryer makeover? Yes, please! They come out crispy and delicious without the oil.
Exactly! Thanks, Sharon.
I’ve never seen okra done this way before – it looks so crunchy and yummy!
It’s really good! Thanks, Helen.
Another great recipe to try in my air fryer! Love that it is lower in fat too!
Hope you enjoy!
This is such a delicious way to cook okra! I even got my picky husband to eat them! Thanks!
Yay! So glad to hear that.