Air Fryer Crispy Okra Southern Comfort Guiltfree Crunch

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy some Southern comfort food without the guilt? Have you ever tried fried okra in air fryer ? Honestly, this air fryer okra recipe gives you that classic, crispy taste.

Plus, it's way healthier and super quick to make!

Brief Overview

Originally from the South, fried okra is soul food! This air fryer version is easy . It takes about 30 minutes to make, with minimal effort.

This recipe yields around 4 servings. Perfect for a side dish at your next barbie.

Main Benefits

Okra is packed with fibre! This air fryer fried okra healthy recipe offers a much lighter take on the traditional dish.

It's perfect for a summer barbecue. What makes it special? The amazing crispiness without all the grease, you know.

What You'll Need to Make Crispy Okra

Right then, let's gather our bits and bobs. This recipe is seriously straightforward, so don't fret! Here’s the list:

• 1 pound (450g) fresh okra
• 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (30g) yellow cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil spray

You'll also need your trusty air fryer. Oh, and a couple of mixing bowls. Sorted!

How to Cook Okra in Air Fryer

This is where the magic happens, mate! First, wash your okra. Get rid of the stems, and slice them into ½-inch rounds.

In a bowl, mix your flour, cornmeal, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne (if you're feeling brave), salt, and pepper. Honestly, the air fryer okra seasoning mix makes all the difference.

In another bowl, whisk your egg with the milk. Now, dip the okra into the wet mix. Then, dredge it in the dry mix.

Give it a good shake to get rid of the extra, right?

Spray your air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the coated okra in a single layer. Don't crowd them or they'll steam.

Spray the okra with a bit more oil. Then, air fry at 400° F ( 200° C) for 12- 15 minutes.

Flip them halfway through. You want them golden and crispy . Serve immediately and bask in the glory of your crispy air fryer okra .

Tips and Variations for the Best Air Fryer Okra

Alright, let's chinwag about some tricks to elevate your southern air fryer recipes . Don't overcrowd the basket! Dry okra sticks to the coating better.

And don't be shy with the oil spray, but don't drown them, you know? For a gluten-free version, use air fryer okra gluten-free flour and cornmeal.

And if you are feeling fancy, try adding some air fryer okra no cornmeal , just add breadcrumbs instead.

Alright, so you wanna whip up some crispy air fryer okra ? Ace! Let's talk ingredients. We're gonna keep it simple and straightforward, yeah? This air fryer okra recipe is proper lush!

Ingredients & Equipment

Let's get down to brass tacks. Here's what you'll need to make this air fryer fried okra healthy and damn tasty.

Main Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) fresh okra, cut into 1/2 inch rounds.
• 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour.
• 1/4 cup (30g) yellow cornmeal. Some may ask about air fryer okra no cornmeal options, but honestly, it adds such a great texture! If you must, try breadcrumbs.
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Look for a rich, vibrant colour.
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. For a bit of a kick, innit?
• 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
• 1 large egg. Free range if you can, yeah?
• 2 tablespoons milk.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil spray.

Seasoning Notes

For this air fryer okra seasoning , the paprika and garlic powder are your mates. They add a proper depth of flavour.

If you're feeling brave, a touch of cayenne pepper will wake things up. Want air fryer okra vegan ? Just skip the egg and milk, and use a splash of plant based milk and a tablespoon of cornstarch instead.

Boom!

Equipment Needed

Right, for this air fryer okra recipe , you only need a few things:

• An Air Fryer . Obviously! This is crucial for crispy air fryer okra .
• 2 medium sized mixing bowls . One for wet, one for dry. Easy peasy.

See? No need for fancy equipment. You can even use a large plastic bag instead of a bowl to coat the okra if you're short on washing up, cheeky! Now, let's get cooking this Southern air fryer recipes !

Air Fryer Crispy Okra: Southern Comfort, Guilt Free Crunch

Oh my gosh, I'm so excited to share this recipe with you! If you are looking to make your own air fryer okra recipe with amazing flavour, then look no further.

I'm talking about air fryer fried okra , you know, the one that tastes amazing? This recipe is easy and gives you that amazing Southern vibe, but with less oil, perfect for a healthy dinner.

Honestly, I've been experimenting with my air fryer lately, and this crispy air fryer okra is a revelation. It's the perfect way to get that southern air fryer recipes flavour without the guilt.

Let's get started!

Prep Steps: Your Okra Success Starts Here

Getting your prep done right makes all the difference. It helps to make sure that your air fryer okra gluten-free will taste amazing.

• Essential Mise en Place . First, wash and completely dry your okra. Cut it into ½-inch rounds. Trust me, it matters. I learned the hard way. If you do not dry it it won't be crispy .
• Time Saving Tip. Mix your dry ingredients. Put the flour, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Then mix the egg and milk in another bowl. Easy peasy!
• Safety Reminder. Make sure your hands are clean. We don't want any rogue germs joining our fried okra in air fryer party.

step-by-step: From Okra to Amazing

Alright, it's time to turn that okra into something special.

1. Dip the okra in the egg and milk mix. Make sure they're fully coated.
2. Dredge in the flour and cornmeal mixture. Press lightly, coating evenly.
3. Spray your air fryer basket. Don't skip this . Arrange okra in a single layer.
4. Spray okra lightly with oil. Do not overdo it.
5. Air fry at 400° F ( 200° C) for 12- 15 minutes .
6. Flip halfway through. We want even crispiness. Look for that golden brown colour.
7. Serve immediately.

Pro Tips: Secrets to the Best Air Fryer Okra

Here are a few tricks I learned the hard way. You know?

• Don't overcrowd! It steams, not fries. Work in batches for that glorious crisp.
• Common mistake alert! Not drying the okra first. This leads to soggy coating. Ew!
• If you want it air fryer okra no cornmeal just add breadcrumbs.
• If you want it air fryer okra vegan substitute the egg with plant based milk.
• If you want to find the best way on how to cook okra in air fryer the secret is to follow the instructions.
• Also the correct air fryer okra seasoning can elevate the final result.

Now get out there and make some air fryer fried okra healthy goodness! You'll feel like you transported to the Deep South.

Recipe Notes for the Best Air Fryer Okra Ever

Alright, mate, let's dive into the nitty gritty. You know, the bits that'll take your air fryer okra recipe from "meh" to "oh my gosh, is there any more?".

Honestly, these air fryer okra tips are gold, I tell ya.

Serving Suggestions: Get Your Grub On!

Plating? Sorted. For a southern air fryer recipes vibe, pile that crispy air fryer okra high on a plate. Think rustic charm.

A sprig of parsley never hurt anyone. For sides, I reckon a good slaw or some creamy mash is a winner.

Wash it down with some iced tea or maybe even a cheeky G&T if you're feeling fancy. Dipping sauces? Ranch, aioli, or even a bit of sweet chilli sauce is banging.

Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh

Right, so you've made loads of this air fryer fried okra healthy treat. Now what? Pop it in the fridge in an airtight container.

It'll keep for about 3 days. Freezing? Not really recommended. It'll lose that lovely crisp. Reheating is easy. Just whack it back in the air fryer for a few minutes.

About 3- 4 minutes at 350° F ( 175° C) should do the trick.

Variations: Fancy a Change?

If you want to make your air fryer okra gluten-free , just swap out the plain flour for a gluten-free blend.

Easy peasy. For a vegan option, ditch the egg and milk. Use plant milk and a bit of cornstarch. Seasonally, air fryer okra no cornmeal ? Use almond flour instead.

During summer's peak, using the freshest okra possible really elevates the flavour, trust me. The air fryer okra seasoning with a dash of lemon pepper in the winter months brings a surprising twist to the dish.

Nutrition Basics: Good for the Soul (and Body)

Each serving of this fried okra in air fryer has about 180 calories. You also get 6g of protein, 8g of fat, and 5g of fibre.

Okra is good for you, full of vitamins and minerals. And air frying means less oil.

So there you have it! How to cook okra in air fryer made simple. Give it a go, you won't regret it.

The crispiness is incredible, and it's so much healthier than the deep fried version. Go on, get your crispy air fryer okra on!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen okra for fried okra in air fryer, or does it have to be fresh?

While fresh okra yields the best texture for air fryer fried okra, frozen okra can be used in a pinch! Just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will help the coating adhere better and prevent the okra from becoming soggy.

Think of it like trying to paint a wet wall the drier, the better!

How do I stop my air fryer fried okra from being slimy?

Slimy okra is a common concern, but fear not! The key is to ensure your okra is thoroughly dry before coating. Also, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as this will steam the okra instead of frying it. Cooking in batches ensures each piece gets crispy, just like fish and chips down the local chippy.

What's the best way to store leftover air fryer fried okra, and how do I reheat it?

Leftover air fryer fried okra is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop it back in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and crispy again.

Microwaving will make it soggy, which is about as appealing as a soggy biscuit with your cuppa!

Can I adapt this fried okra in air fryer recipe if I don't have cornmeal?

Absolutely! If you're out of cornmeal, you can substitute it with breadcrumbs, crushed crackers (like Ritz!), or even finely ground almond flour for a gluten-free option. Each will give a slightly different texture, but all will provide that essential crispness you're after.

It's all about making do, like mum used to say when she whipped up a masterpiece with whatever was left in the cupboard!

Is air fryer fried okra actually healthier than traditional deep fried okra?

You bet your bottom dollar it is! Air frying uses significantly less oil than deep frying, which means fewer calories and less fat. While it still has that satisfying crispness and flavor, you're ditching a good portion of the unhealthy grease.

It's a win-win you get your Southern comfort food fix without feeling like you've completely blown your diet, a bit like having your cake and eating it!