Crunchy, crispy Breaded Okra in an Air Fryer is a healthy and delicious way to take a less used veggie and turned it into a wonderful snack, sided dish, or appetizer.
Let's take okra mainstream with crispy, crunchy, easy-to-make Breaded okra in an air fryer! With just a few simple steps you can take okra from slimy to crunchy! On the outside, you get a crispy crunchy layer and a soft and tender inside.
These are perfect for a small family snack, a dinner, reception, party, or game day snack.
Serve these yummy, crunchy little guys with your favorite dipping sauce. I love dipping these in Lime and Garlic Aioli or how about this Creamy Carrot Sauce or a simple Mayo-Sriracha-Ketchup combo.
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Okra in Brazil
Okra grows in warmer climates, so it's in abundance here in Brazil. That's also why it's more popular in Southern states in the US. Here in Brazil, you can find it in some traditional stews, but my favorite way to eat it here is breaded and fried as a snack or appetizer. Okra is notoriously slimy in the inside, which can be a turn off. However, when added to stews, it can help thicken them and the okra cooks up beautifully. In the preparation in this recipe, it also has very little slime with it's crispy breaded coating.
Simple Ingredients and Substitutes
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- Fresh okra - If you are breading the okra from scratch, then fresh is best. You can find okra all year, but its prime season begins in June and July in the US. Okra pods are better when they are smaller, so look for the ones that are closer to 2-3 inches in length. I have not tried frozen okra in this recipe, but fear it would get slimy when it thaws.
- All-purpose flour - Okra can be notoriously slimy, so the flour really helps in this recipe to tone that slime-factor down and prime the okra for the egg and breadcrumbs for a beautifully crispy crust. You can use just about any flour, including gluten free for this coating.
- Large eggs - I used 2 eggs, but you may be able to use 1 extra large or 1 large if you add a tablespoon of water. To be safe and ensure you have enough coating, I recommend 2 large eggs.
- Bread crumbs - For breaded Okra, I really like the fine breadcrumbs so they stick in place and give it a nice crunchy crust. You can certainly use panko breadcrumbs or homemade breadcrumbs.
- Garlic Powder - Garlic powder works best for mixing thoroughly with the breadcrumbs for even distribution across all okra. If you don't have powder, only flakes, you can pulse the garlic flakes with the breadcrumbs in a food processor. You can substitute Garlic salt if you eliminate the salt or Onion powder. Feel free to add in other herbs and seasonings you love, such as oregano or cayenne pepper.
- Salt and Ground Black pepper - Don't go overboard with adding too much more salt. Remember these are small bites and likely you will want a dipping sauce.
- Cooking spray or oil - The beautiful thing about the air fryer is that it doesn't require oil. So, this ingredient is optional, but can add to the crispiness and taste if you want to add a little.
See recipe card for quantities.
Simple Equipment You'll Need with Options
For this recipe, you will need an Air Fryer. Of course, you can make these in your oven on a sheet pan (see FAQs section below for instructions).
You also need 3 shallow bowls for your dredging and breading stations.
You may want a strainer to shake off the excess four from the okra.
Tips for this Breaded Okra Recipe
Tip #1 - Do not cut the okra before you are ready to bread it. Okra contains a slimy consistency inside and the more it sits out, the more that slime will seep out.
Tip #2 - You can fry the okra whole, but again, the smaller the pieces, the more crispy you will get.
Tip #3 - Make extra and freeze breaded. You can put them directly into the air fryer frozen.
How to Make this Breaded Okra Recipe
Preheat your air fryer to 400 F degrees for about 5 minutes.
Rinse the okra under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Trim the stems off, as well as any really narrow ends from the other end.
Cut the okra into bite-sized pieces, about ½-inch thick.
Get 3 bowls for the flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. In one bowl, add the flour. The second bowl is for the beated the eggs. In the third bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Add the okra in manageable batches into the flour.
TIP! I find that I can add all of the okra to the flour and then shake the excess flour off in a strainer.
I set that aside as I move 4-5 pieces along to coat in the eggs, then let the excess egg drip off and move to the breadcrumbs to coat them. As you finish breading the okra, place on a plate until all are done.
Dip the floured okra into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off.
OPTIONAL: Lightly spray the breaded okra with cooking spray or olive oil.
Remove the preheated air fryer basket and spray the basket with oil (optional).
Place the breaded okra in a single layer in the basket, trying not to overcrowd.
If needed, you cook them in batches. Cook the okra in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
Carefully transfer the breaded okra from the air fryer to a serving plate. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Variations
Giving the visitor ideas on how they can change this recipe to better suit their dinner guests, or their cultural cuisine, is a great way to increase the chances they make the recipe
- Spicy - You can either add a pinch of cayenne powder to the breading. Or make a spicy dipping sauce! I love the sauce idea. I add a ½ cup of mayo, 1 tablespoon ketchup, and as much sriracha as you like!
- Deluxe - Turn into a loaded nacho version by adding cheese sauce, guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, scallions, cilantro or anything else you love!
- Bacon Breadcrumbs - Add crispy bacon to a food processor with the breadcrumbs and voila, you have bacon breadcrumbs!
- Top a Casserole! Instead of tater tots on top of a casserole, as these air fried okra.
Breaded Okra in Air Fryer FAQs
Of course, you can definitely bake these in the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 F degrees. Spray the pan with olive oil. Place the breaded okra in a single layer and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
You can absolutely freeze these breaded okra. I recommend breading them and then flash freezing them on a sheet pan for 1-2 hours in the freezer. You can then transfer then to a freezer safe airtight container or bag. To cook, place the frozen breaded okra right into the preheated air fryer. Check on them at 10-12 minutes and if they are still cold in the center, add another 3-4 minutes.
I have never met a dipping sauce that I don't like, lol. My favorite is a simple Sriracha Mayo. I add a ½ cup of mayo, 1 tablespoon ketchup, and as much sriracha as you like, starting the a teaspoon and keeping adding until it meets your spice level! I also like this Lime Aioli - Molho de Limão e Alho. You can also use your favorite marinara sauce or Dijon mustard.
More Snack or Appetizer Recipes!
If you are like me, I could graze on snacks and appetizers all day! Here some more ideas for you :).
Crispy Breaded Okra in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound Fresh Okra
- 1 cup Fine Bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- ½ cup All-purpose Flour
- 2 Large eggs
- Cooking spray or Spray Olive oil (OPTIONAL)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 F degrees for about 5 minutes.
- Rinse the okra under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Trim the stems off, as well as any really narrow ends from the other end. Cut the okra into bite-sized pieces, about ½-inch thick.
- Get 3 bowls for the flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. In one bowl, add the flour. In a second bowl, beat the eggs. In the third bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the okra in manageable batches into the flour. I find that I can add all of the okra to the flour and then shake the excess flour off in a strainer. I set that aside as I move 4-5 pieces along to coat in the eggs, then let the excess egg drip off and move to the breadcrumbs to coat them. As you finish breading the okra, place on a plate until all are done.
- Dip the floured okra into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off.
- OPTIONAL: Lightly spray the breaded okra with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Remove the preheated air fryer basket and spray the basket with oil (optional). Place the breaded okra in a single layer in the basket, making sure to not overcrowd them (ideally there is a little space between each). If needed, you cook them in batches. Cook the okra in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
- Carefully transfer the breaded okra from the air fryer to a serving plate. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Notes
-
Can I bake these Breaded Okra in the Oven?
Of course, you can definitely bake these in the oven. Freeheat the oven to 375 F degrees. Spray the pan with olive oil. Place the breaded okra in a single layer and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. -
Can I freeze these breaded okra?
You can absolutely freeze these breaded okra. I recommend breading them and then flash freezing them on a sheet pan for 1-2 hours in the freezer. You can then transfer then to a freezer safe airtight container or bag. To cook, place the frozen breaded okra right into the preheated air fryer. Check on them at 10-12 minutes and if they are still cold in the center, add another 3-4 minutes. -
What are the best dipping sauces for these okra bites?
I have never met a dipping sauce that I don't like, lol. My favorite is a simple Sriracha Mayo. I add a ½ cup of mayo, 1 tablespoon ketchup, and as much sriracha as you like, starting the a teaspoon and keeping adding until it meets your spice level! I also like this Lime Aioli - Molho de Limão e Alho. You can also use your favorite marinara sauce or Dijon mustard.
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