Air Fryer Okra is a spicy Southern side dish favorite breaded with cornmeal and breadcrumbs.
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Roasted fried okra in the air fryer is one of my favorite side dishes to make.
While the breading process takes longer to prep than say, Air Fryer Corn on the Cob, it’s such a nice refreshing crispy change up.
It’s tender, yet crispy, and is full of flavor. If you’ve never had okra before, I recommend running out to the grocery store and grabbing some to try it out.
I’ve even converted my husband to love okra using this recipe!
In this post, I will teach you:
- Where you can find okra and when it’s in season
- When okra is in season and where you can buy it
- How to make okra in the air fryer
- How to make frozen okra in the air fryer
- How to reheat okra in the air fryer – breaded or with no breading
- Tips to make the best crispy air fryer okra you’ve ever had
Where Can I Find Okra?
You can find okra right in the produce department of your grocery store. It’s available mainly from May to September.
You can also find it at a local farmer’s market depending on the time of year as well.
How to Make Air Fryer Okra
STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees.
STEP TWO: Clean and cut the fresh okra into 1/2 -inch thick slices, removing the top and bottom of each okra piece.
STEP THREE: Place the flour in one bowl, the eggs, whisked, in a second bowl, and the cornmeal, breadcrumbs, paprika, sea salt, and cayenne pepper (if using) in a third bowl.
I like to use a smaller bowl for the eggs as it allows me to dip the okra pieces into the egg to coat it more easily.
STEP FOUR: Dip the okra into the flour mixture, then the egg, and lastly the cornmeal mixture coating it on all sides each time. Repeat with all okra pieces
You can use a fork to pick up and dip each okra piece to make it easier.
STEP FIVE: Place the breaded okra into the air fryer and spritz them with some oil then cook for 7 to 8 minutes.
I’ve tested a few oil misters and love the EVO Oil Sprayer the most as just 1 to 2 sprays will cover the entire bottom of the air fryer.
STEP SIX: Remove the fried okra from the air fryer and enjoy!
How to Cook Frozen Breaded Okra in the Air Fryer
We love to pick up a bag of Pictsweet frozen breaded okra and cook it in the air fryer. You can even pick up a bag at Walmart.
Here are some directions to ensure you get the crispiest air fryer frozen breaded okra.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Place frozen okra in the air fryer. Cooking in one single layer will get the best results.
- Cook the frozen okra for about 14 minutes, lightly shaking the basket halfway through.
- Remove the roasted okra from the air fryer and enjoy!
How to Reheat Okra in the Air Fryer
I love to reheat leftover okra in the fridge. Whether you have leftovers from this air fryer okra recipe or brought some home from Cracker Barrel, reheating it up in the air fryer is the best way to heat them!
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
- Place the leftover fried okra in the air fryer and cook for about 3 minutes until warmed thoroughly.
- Remove the okra from the air fryer and enjoy!
Tips to Make the Best Fried Okra in the Air Fryer
- Use a fork to dip the okra into each bowl. It goes faster.
- Make extras and freeze the rest for later. Use the frozen okra directions above to heat them back up straight from frozen
- Use a small bowl for the eggs. It lets you dip a fork with a piece of okra inside of it much faster without trying to move it around and coat all sides.
- Add a good pinch of sea salt and cayenne pepper for a flavorful and spicy recipe
Other Air Fryer Recipes You Will Love:
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Air Fryer Okra (Fresh and Frozen Breaded)
Ingredients
- 12 ounces okra cut into 1/2-inch slices and tops and bottoms removed
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup cornmeal
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- sea salt or table salt to taste
Optional
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees.
- Set out 2 medium bowls and 1 small bowl. Fill a medium bowl with flour, the small bowl with the eggs, and the remaining medium bowl with the cornmeal, breadcrumbs, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Take turns dipping each piece of okra into the flour mixture, then the eggs, then the cornmeal mixture coating it on all sides each time. I use a fork to bread them faster.
- Place the breaded okra in the air fryer and spritz them with a little oil, then cook for 7 to 8 minutes until golden brown on the outside.
- Remove the okra from the air fryer enjoy!
Why hadn’t I thought of this before, okra was perfect in the air fryer, Thanks for this recipe!
Fried Okra reminds me of my grandmother in west Texas. I never make it because I hate deep frying. This was the perfect way to get that nostalgic flavor without all the mess! Thank you!
This recipe is such a keeper. I love fried okra but I never fry so I love that I can do it with my air fryer instead!
The okra was so easy to make and a delicious healthy appetizer idea!
I’m trying the air fryer frozen okra. I was going to read the reviews to see the suggestions from other people that have tried this, but when I clicked on the reviews, nothing happened? Are the reviews fake? I’ve never had this happen before on other recipe reviews on different sites.
Hi DJ, every review that comes in is legitimate. My recipe card used to allow people to leave a review without any comments, but I have recently changed that to make sure each review is left with a comment for that very purpose.