Air fryer fried okra is a beloved Southern comfort food that gives you all the crunch without the guilt! Forget about greasy messes and heavy batters – the air fryer makes it easy.
Okra is dipped in buttermilk and breaded with cornmeal for classic crispy golden-brown perfection, just with less oil. It’s the perfect blend of comfort food and healthy eating.
Not only is this version healthier than its deep-fried counterpart, but it’s also faster and easier to make. No more standing over a hot stove or dealing with splattering oil – just put the okra in the air fryer.
Okra isn’t something I ever thought my family would voluntarily eat, but it turns out all I have to do is make it into a crispy appetizer they can dip! Whether you’re hosting game day or simply craving a delicious appetizer, this air-fried okra is a fabulous choice.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to make your own air fryer fried okra at home, with all the tips and tricks you need for success.
Are you looking for more classic appetizers made easy in the air fryer? Try air fryer blooming onion, air fryer fried green tomatoes, and air fryer pickles.
🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Fresh okra: Look for firm, bright green pods free from blemishes or soft spots. If you can’t find fresh okra, frozen will work – just thaw it completely and pat it dry before breading.
- Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
- Egg
- Flour
- Cornmeal
- Seasonings: A simple blend of salt, pepper, and garlic powder is all you need.
🥣How to Make Air Fryer Fried Okra
- Wash the okra and slice it horizontally into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl or pie plate. In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg.
- Working in batches, dip the okra pieces into the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture, then toss them in the flour mixture again until they’re well-coated. Shake off any excess breading and place the okra on a plate or baking sheet.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, then add the breaded okra in a single layer.
- Spray the tops of the okra with a little more cooking spray, then air fry for 5 minutes. Give the basket a shake or use tongs to flip the okra over, then spray with a little more oil and air fry for another 4-5 minutes until the okra is golden brown and crispy.
🍴Serving Ideas
Now that you’ve got a batch of crispy, golden air fryer fried okra, it’s time to dig in! I like to serve it with ranch dressing, hot sauce, or garlic aioli for dipping. Here are some other suggestions:
- As a snack: Fried okra makes a great standalone snack, especially when served with a dipping sauce. It’s perfect for munching on during game day or movie night.
- As a side dish, Fried okra is a classic Southern side dish that pairs well with all sorts of main courses. Try serving it alongside fried catfish, chicken-fried steak, or a big bowl of gumbo.
- In a salad: Chop leftover fried okra and toss it into a salad for a crunchy, flavorful twist. It’s delicious in a classic Cobb salad.
No matter how you serve it, this air fryer fried okra will be a hit with your family and friends. It’s just so darn tasty and addictive – don’t be surprised if it disappears faster than you can make it!
💭How to Store
Once the okra is cool, place it in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. If you have a lot of okra, place a layer of paper towels between each layer to absorb any excess moisture. Fried okra will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, although it will start to lose its crispiness over time.
When you’re ready to eat your leftover fried okra, reheat it in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes or until it’s hot and crispy again. Avoid microwaving it, as this will make it soggy.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Cut the pieces into similar sizes to ensure that your okra cooks evenly. I find that 1/2-inch slices work best – they’re big enough to hold up to breading but small enough to cook quickly and get crispy.
- Soaking the okra in buttermilk helps to tenderize it and remove some of the sliminess that okra is known for. Plus, it makes the breading stick better, giving you a crispier, more flavorful result.
- Shake off any excess breading before placing it in the air fryer. This will help prevent the breading from falling off during cooking, resulting in a crispier texture.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the okra in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.
- To help the okra cook evenly and get crispy, preheat your air fryer before adding the okra. Most air fryers have a preheat setting, but if yours doesn’t, you can set it to the desired temperature and let it run for a few minutes before adding the food.
- You can use frozen okra in this recipe if fresh isn’t available. Just be sure to thaw the okra completely and pat it dry with paper towels before breading and air frying. Frozen okra may have a slightly softer texture than fresh.
- The okra is done cooking when it’s golden brown and crispy outside. This usually takes about 10 minutes in the air fryer, flipping halfway through.
- You can also bake the breaded okra in a hot oven (425°F) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
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Air Fryer Fried Okra Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound okra
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup cornmeal
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Wash the okra and cut into horizontal slices about half an inch wide.1 pound okra
- Mix flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in one bowl. Mix buttermilk and egg in another bowl.½ cup buttermilk, ½ cup flour, ½ cup cornmeal, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 egg
- Dip the okra pieces in the cornmeal mixture and buttermilk mixture, and then the cornmeal mixture again.
- Once the pieces are all coated, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes.
- Put breaded okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray lightly with oil. Air fry for 5 minutes,
- Toss the pieces and spray with oil again. Air fry for another 5 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
- I find that 1/2-inch slices work best – they’re big enough to hold up to breading but small enough to cook quickly and get crispy.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the okra in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.
- Preheat the air fryer for this recipe!
- You can use frozen okra in this recipe if fresh isn’t available. Just be sure to thaw the okra completely and pat it dry with paper towels before breading and air frying. Frozen okra may have a slightly softer texture than fresh.
- You can also bake the breaded okra in a hot oven (425°F) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
