Are you on the lookout for vegan snacks? If so, try making fried okra in an air fryer. This air fryer okra can be eaten as a snack or as a side dish.

All About Okra

If you’re not a fan of okra, this air-fried version will persuade you otherwise. If you used to enjoy a particular type of snack before becoming vegan, a batch of this vegan fried okra could instantly satisfy your appetite!

fresh okra for air frying

More air fryer vegetables:

Air Fryer Cauliflower

Air Fryer Green Beans

Okra in the air fryer is crispy and flavorful. You can’t stop eating them once you start, and you won’t be able to stop until you’ve finished them all. Believe me; you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the end result.

I had my first taste of Southern air-fried okra at a friend’s party. It sounded amazing, so I had to give it a try.

Air fryer slices in a colander draining

Air fryer okra

I don’t use my air fryer every night, but I always enjoy it when I do. I am a big fan of air-fried French fries. They are, without a doubt, the best. And I’m happy to say that, while air-fried okra takes a little longer to cook than French fries (it’s still simple!), it’s quite delicious.

Although I prefer fresh okra, if you don’t have any on hand, you may use frozen okra instead. And I like to make my air-fried okra with basic ingredients. But you can add your favorite one; it’s entirely up to you.

I always like those recipes that I can make quickly and easily at home and taste great than restaurant meals. It makes me happy to know that I’d served my close friends and family nutritious food that also tastes great. To be honest, this air fryer okra is rather tempting.

Using an air fryer rather than a deep fryer, your meal will have no fat. Without using any oil, you can obtain the same delicious crispiness in all of your foods. It’s completely changed my life. If you haven’t already, try this. You will like these crispy air fryer okra.

What does okra taste like?

Okra-It’s also known as “lady’s finger.”

I’d say it has a particular flavor. If you’ve ever tried gumbo, you’ll know that it’s normally served inside, sliced. It has a light, almost grassy flavor to it, in my opinion.

Some people compare it to eggplant or green beans, but it’s a lot stronger. When cooked rapidly, the texture is crispy, but when cooked slowly, the texture is quite tender. In an air fryer, it would be between these two; okra would be somewhat crispy and somewhat tender.

Okra benefits:

Magnesium, folate, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins C, K1, and A are all abundant in okra. Is okra healthy for arthritis? Yes, it is claimed to reduce swelling in the digestive system as well as other body parts such as blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and joints.

More okra recipes:

Okra Curry

Vegan Stewed Tomatoes and Okra

Jamaican Vegan Saltfish and Okra

Why you’ll love this air fryer okra:

I’m sure you’ll love this air fryer okra recipe for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Less greasy, simple to prepare, and even easier to clean up!
  • Flavorful with a smoky, crispy crust!
  • It’s healthier than traditional oil-fried okra, but the texture (and flavor!) is the same.
  • Vegan and Gluten-free!
  • You can serve it as a nutritious side dish or as a main course; it’s delicious.
  • Vitamins and minerals abound.
  • Highly versatile!

My favorite air fryers:

There are so many amazing options for air fryers, with many different features. Here is a couple I like:

NuWave Brio 15.5 Qt Large Capacity Air Fryer & Grill – great for families!

NuWave Brio 8 Qt 6-in-1 Digital Air Fryer – amazing for smaller households and air fryer newbies

battered okra in a bowl

Air fryer okra recipe:

It is quite simple and easy to fry okra in an air fryer. You just need the following simple ingredients and steps to follow:

How to cook okra in an Air fryer:

  1. Trim okra on both ends and wash. Dry with a clean dish towel or paper towel. Cut the okra into circles about ½ inch in size and place it into a bowl.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine cornmeal, gluten-free flour, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, basil, cayenne pepper, and salt, and mix well.
  3. Toss the mixture with the okra slices until they are coated completely.
  4. Spread the okra in an air fryer basket or tray in a single layer and cook at 350℉ for 10 minutes, turning halfway.
Air fryer okra on tray

Serving suggestions:

You can serve okra plain with your favorite sauce or a dipping sauce.

The following are some of my favorite pairing dishes with air-fried okra:

Storing and reheating method:

The leftover okra can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Before storing them, let them cool completely.

To reheat:

Preheat the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 180°C/350°F.

Reheat the leftover okra for 4-5 minutes or until well warmed.

Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy.

I wouldn’t reheat this in the microwave because it would go mushy.

Recipe tips:

Give a few more minutes to read these useful tips:

  • Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
  • Cook in a single layer, for better results, give some space in between them. Cook in batches if necessary.
  • To rewarm the okra, add it all to the air fryer and air fry for 1-2 minutes after working in batches.
  • Dry the okra completely before cutting to stop the natural gel from becoming slimy. This will help the okra become crispier over time.
  • Spry the basket with oil for an extra crispy texture before adding okra.
close up okra

If you like and enjoy this air fryer Okra recipe, don’t forget to share your feedback in the comment section below!

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Categories

Nutrition

(Per serving)
  • Energy: 182 kcal / 761 kJ
  • Fat: 1.4 g
  • Protein: 5.5 g
  • Carbs: 37.8 g

Cook Time

  • Preparation: 10 min
  • Cooking: 10 min
  • Ready in: 20 min
  • For: 4 Servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Trim okra on both ends and wash. Dry with a clean dish towel or paper towel. Cut the okra into circles about ½ inch in size and place into a bowl.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine cornmeal, gluten-free flour, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, basil, cayenne pepper, and salt, and mix well.
  3. Toss mixture with the okra slices until they are coated completely.
  4. Spread the okra in an air fryer basket or tray in a single layer and cook at 350℉ for 10 minutes, turning halfway.
Recipe author's Gravatar image

Michelle Blackwood, RN

Hi, I’m Michelle, I’m the voice, content creator and photographer behind Healthier Steps. I share vegan and gluten-free recipes because of past health issues. My goal is to help you make healthier choices and show you how healthy eating is easy and delicious.