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Crispy Okra Fries made in an air fryer (or oven) are a delicious, healthy side dish or appetizer that takes minutes to prep using frozen okra.
I'm going to show you an easy way to turn a package of whole okra from the freezer aisle into crispy delicious "fries" in about 20 minutes. It's as easy as cooking frozen french fries. Of course, you can use fresh pods from the farmer's market too!
This veggie (which is technically a fruit) is another one of our healthy alternatives to chips. It's low-carb and keto-friendly. But, "good for you" is not the first thing that will come to mind when you try this okra fries recipe.
You'll love the crispy texture. It's a twist on Kurkuri Bhindi, a popular Indian street food that's coated in spices and deep-fried.
What does okra taste like?
Okra has a mild, earthy taste, often described as similar to eggplant. It grows in a long, tubular form, filled with little white seeds, which earned it the nickname "lady fingers." Since it's native to hot, humid climates, you'll often find it in Southern, Caribbean, and Indian cuisine.
When you cut into okra, it releases viscous, slimy mucilage. It's great for thickening stews and the texture has it's admirers. And, it has some haters too.
The silkiness is minimized depending upon how you cook it. High heat is one way and that's what we do in this recipe!
If you read through okra's impressive nutrition and health benefits compiled by Healthline, you'll wonder why you don't eat it more often!
Ingredients and Preparation
Here's what you'll need:
- Okra - whole pods, fresh or frozen. You'll typically find whole baby okra in the freezer section of the grocery store. They are about 2 inches in size and don't need to be cut in half.
- From Frozen - No further prep is necessary and you don't need to defrost them either.
- From Fresh - Gently scrub the surface and pat dry. Trim the tip and stem end. If using large okra pods, cut them in half lengthwise to cut down on the cook time.
- Olive Oil is used to coat the outside.
- Seasoning - Salt and pepper or any spice blend can be used. We keep a low-salt spice mix to just shake out. For a spicier version, use a Cajun or Creole mix.
Air Fryer Directions
The basic process: Toss frozen (or fresh) okra pods with olive oil, sprinkle with seasoning, and roast at 390 °F for about 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
How to do it faster and with less mess:
- You don't need to preheat! You can, but it will come up to temperature quickly and is not necessary.
- Dump frozen okra directly into the basket (that is NOT hot.) The pods will overlap a little, but should basically be in an single layer so they easily char. This saves you a bowl at clean-up time.
- Use a mister filled with olive oil and lightly spritz the okra. Otherwise, drizzle with olive oil. Use your hands to coat each pod. They should be thoroughly coated, but NOT be dripping wet.
- Sprinkle with a spice blend. I love a good spice mix because it's just one ingredient. I use a low-salt version so I don't worry too much about how much I use. (I linked to my favorite in the recipe card.) Otherwise, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Shake about halfway through. Pull out the basket as often as necessary until you reach the perfect crispness. It's easy to check the cooking progress. The browning will generally occur on top, so redistributing will give each pod a good chance to crisp.
Disclaimer: Always follow the manufacturer instructions for your air fryer model. The results will vary depending upon the wattage for your machine and how it works.
Oven Directions
Until I bought an air fryer, I made baked okra fries! I also use this option for fresh pods that have been cut in half because they are so big. The basic process described above is the same. However, the cook time is a little longer or about 30 minutes.
The same easy prep tips apply too. Use a spritzer and prep the okra right in the pan. I don't line the pan with aluminum foil because it doesn't allow vegetables to crisp quite as nicely. But, you definitely can!
The part that touches the hot pan surface will char so be sure to flip over the pods so they brown on both sides.
How long does it cook?
Perfect okra fries are charred, crispy, and definitely not slimy. The exact cook time will vary depending upon the size of the pods, whether they are cooked from frozen, and what method is used.
We make this recipe in Cosori (5.8 quart) and Ninja (4 quart) Air Fryers. It takes about 20 minutes. In the oven it takes about 30 minutes.
Dipping Sauce Options
Dunking okra fries into a sauce is definitely optional. But, it really does give it a casual "fry" experience. Here are a few of our favorite options:
- Aioli - combine ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice and a pinch of paprika in a small bowl.
- Bang Bang Sauce - combine ¼ cup Greek yogurt, 1 ½ Tablespoons sweet chili sauce, ½ teaspoon seasoned rice vinegar, ¼ teaspoon sriracha sauce in a bowl.
- Ranch dressing!
More Veggie Fries and Chips
Would you like more easy, healthy, carb-conscious recipes?
📋 Recipe
Okra Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 15 ounces whole baby okra frozen or fresh; do not defrost. If using large okra, cut in half lengthwise.
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon spice blend or ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Toss or spritz whole frozen okra pods with olive oil. Use fingers to coat all sides of the pods with oil. Season with spice blend or salt and pepper.Note: You can do all of this in a cool air fryer basket or on a baking sheet
Air Fryer Directions
- Add okra to air fryer in a single layer.
- Cook at 390 °F for about 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through and checking periodically after that until browned.
Oven Directions
- Preheat oven to 390 °F.
- Place okra in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
- Cook for about 30 minutes, flipping okra halfway through. Monitor after turning to ensure that cooked to liking.
- Remove with tongs and enjoy hot, with or without a dipping sauce.
Notes
- Seasoning: Any spice blend may be used. We keep a low-salt spice mix to just shake out. For a spicier version, use a Cajun or Creole mix.
- Disclaimer: Always follow the manufacturer instructions for your air fryer model. The results will vary depending upon the wattage for your machine and how it works.
- Cooking time: Perfect okra fries are charred, crispy, and definitely not slimy. The exact cook time will vary depending upon the size of the pods, whether they are cooked from frozen, and what method is used.
- Aioli - combine ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice and a pinch of paprika in a small bowl.
- Bang Bang Sauce - combine ¼ cup Greek yogurt, 1 ½ Tablespoons sweet chili sauce, ½ teaspoon seasoned rice vinegar, ¼ teaspoon sriracha sauce in a bowl.
- Ranch dressing!
Liz says
I enjoyed testing this recipe very much. My prior experience was with breaded pieces of okra that were fried. These had a fresh taste that was not strong at all. I served them with ranch dressing. I used salt, pepper and garlic powder and cooked in the air fryer for 20 minutes. They were very nice, but not super crispy. We ate them all up with no leftovers. Will make again.