Air Fryer Okra (Easy and Crispy Recipe)

Air fryer okra is a crunchy, delicious side dish you can feel good about serving your family.

In only 25 minutes, you get crispy, tender, golden-brown perfection without the excess grease from the deep fryer. 

Okra gets a bad rap for being slimy, but not when you use the air fryer!

This air fryer delivers crunchy, crave-worthy okra using almost no oil. Just batter it, toss it, and air fry it. 

It’s quick, convenient, and effortless. Believe me, even skeptics won’t be able to stop snacking on air fryer okra!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Okra 

The secret to making air fryer okra crunchy and addicting is in the batter. You need only a handful of ingredients, half of which are pantry staples. 

Here’s what this okra recipe calls for:

• Okra – Fresh okra will deliver the crispiest results. Frozen okra contains more moisture, so it won’t get as crunchy.

• Buttermilk – For helping the batter stick and adding more flavor.

• Egg – Mix it with the buttermilk to help the cornmeal stick. It aids in binding and creates a richer, thicker batter.

• Cornmeal – For that irresistible crunch! It acts as the breading, giving the okra a satisfying, crispy texture.

• All-Purpose Flour – A light coating will help the okra get crispy.

• Spices – Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper make the batter extra flavorful. 

• Olive Oil Spray – Spray the basket to prevent sticking. Also, lightly coat the okra for that golden brown crunch.

How To Make Air Fryer Okra 

Air frying okra is so much easier than deep frying. It’s less messy, too. You won’t have to clean up a bunch of grease when you’re done. 

Here’s how to make air fryer okra:

1. Prep the okra. Cut the okra into 1/2-inch pieces. In a bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg. Add the okra and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.

2. Preheat the air fryer. Set it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Mix the breading. In a separate bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

4. Coat the okra. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the okra into the flour mixture. Toss it to coat.

5. Air fry the okra. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Add the okra and lightly spray the top with the oil. Cook it for 10-15 minutes, shaking it halfway.

5. Cool and serve. Let it cool for a few minutes, and enjoy!

Tips for Success

Want crispy, crunchy, and perfectly golden brown okra? Then follow my tips for success:

• Fresh is best. Frozen okra contains excess water. So it may not crisp up nicely like fresh okra. 

• Kick up the crispiness. For extra crispiness, lightly spray the okra with more cooking spray after shaking the basket. 

• Give it some space. Work in batches if the okra won’t fit in a single layer. This will ensure each tempting tidbit crisps up nicely.

• Keep a watchful eye. Cooking times may vary between air fryer models. So check for doneness early, at about 8 minutes, to prevent burning. Then, you can gauge the time from there.

• Spice it up! Mix things up with spices! Cajun, Creole, Lawrey’s, curry powder, and cayenne are some tasty ideas.

• Dip to your heart’s content. I love dunking these poppable bites into a dipping sauce! Southern comeback sauce is one of my favorites. But choose any sauce you like.

How to Store

Air fryer okra is best enjoyed immediately. As it sits, it will lose its crunch. But it’s so addicting, I doubt you’ll have a bite left in sight!

If you do have leftover okra, it will last for a day or two. Just note the texture won’t be as crispy, but they’ll still be tasty! 

To Store: Place the leftover okra in an air-tight container. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 days.

To Reheat: Reheat it in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Can You Fry Frozen Okra?

Yes! You can totally use frozen okra in this recipe, but there’s a catch. Frozen okra contains more moisture than fresh. So it might not turn out as crispy and crunchy. 

Still, it means no washing and no chopping, so you can have this Southern favorite ready in a snap.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Appetizers
Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Desserts
Air Fryer Corn Dogs
Air Fryer Ribs