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Home » Hot Side Dishes

Published: May 25, 2021 · Modified: Jan 28, 2024 by Sara

Air Fryer Okra

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Air fryer okra

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 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.

Jump to:
  • Do I need an air fryer?
  • How to Make Air Fryer Okra
  • How long do I cook okra in the air fryer?
  • What type of oil spray/mist is best?
  • More okra recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Want more twists on Southern classics?

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.

Air fryer okra

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.

Air fryer okra

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?

Air fryer okra

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 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.

📖 Recipe

okra cooked in air fryer.

Air Fryer Okra

Sara
Air Fryer Okra is a classic Southern side, lightened up by using an air fryer instead of cooking it in all that oil!
5 from 10 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 173 kcal

Equipment

  • air fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb fresh okra sliced into ½ inch slices
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoon 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

Calories: 173kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 7gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 29mgPotassium: 390mgFiber: 6gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1770IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 2mg
Keyword air fryer, okra
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dannii says

    May 25, 2021 at 11:03 am

    5 stars
    I am always looking for new ways to use my air fryer, and making okra in it sounds amazing.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      May 25, 2021 at 11:42 am

      Just in time for this year's fresh okra!

      Reply
  2. Sharon says

    May 25, 2021 at 11:18 am

    5 stars
    Classic fried okra for summer gets an air fryer makeover? Yes, please! They come out crispy and delicious without the oil.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      May 25, 2021 at 11:42 am

      Exactly! Thanks, Sharon.

      Reply
  3. Helen says

    May 25, 2021 at 11:19 am

    5 stars
    I've never seen okra done this way before - it looks so crunchy and yummy!

    Reply
    • Pam says

      May 25, 2021 at 11:41 am

      It's really good! Thanks, Helen.

      Reply
  4. Beth Sachs says

    May 25, 2021 at 11:21 am

    5 stars
    Another great recipe to try in my air fryer! Love that it is lower in fat too!

    Reply
    • Pam says

      May 25, 2021 at 11:41 am

      Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Beth says

    May 25, 2021 at 11:46 am

    5 stars
    This is such a delicious way to cook okra! I even got my picky husband to eat them! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Pam says

      May 25, 2021 at 12:03 pm

      Yay! So glad to hear that.

      Reply
  6. Heather Johnson says

    July 15, 2021 at 9:13 pm

    5 stars
    yum - air fryer okra is the way i could finally eat it - love this!

    Reply
    • Pam says

      July 16, 2021 at 6:11 pm

      Hope you'll love it Heather!

      Reply
  7. Denay DeGuzman says

    July 15, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      July 16, 2021 at 6:10 pm

      Great idea to serve it as a party snack. Maybe with an interesting dip?

      Reply
  8. Lima Ekram says

    July 15, 2021 at 10:45 pm

    5 stars
    I love okra but never tried it in my air fryer! Looks super delicious - cant wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Pam says

      July 16, 2021 at 6:10 pm

      It's a great way to cook it.

      Reply
  9. Maria says

    July 15, 2021 at 10:51 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a healthy treat! A great way to make okra easier to eat especially for the kids.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      July 16, 2021 at 6:10 pm

      Hope they love it.

      Reply
  10. Biana says

    July 15, 2021 at 11:15 pm

    5 stars
    What a great way to cook okra in the air fryer! A great side dish to serve with chicken.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      July 16, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      Yes! Perfect with chicken. Thank you, Biana.

      Reply
  11. Rosemary says

    July 16, 2021 at 10:29 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      July 16, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      Hope you love it like we do Rosemary.

      Reply
  12. Stephanie MyerS says

    December 31, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      January 02, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      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.

      Reply
  13. Linda says

    December 31, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      January 02, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      Thanks so much for letting us know Linda. Happy New Year!

      Reply
5 from 10 votes

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