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Hesitant about okra? You need to give this air fryer okra a try! Cooking okra in the air fryer makes it nice and crunchy (not slimy), yet the ingredients are common and simple — much like air fryer broccoli! Best of all, it’s flexible. Use fresh okra if you have it, or make this air fryer frozen okra instead.
If you love making entire meals in the air fryer (who doesn’t?!), be sure to try my air fryer pork chops, air fryer salmon, air fryer steak, air fryer sausage, or air fryer chicken breasts to serve alongside the okra — or browse my other air fryer recipes. You can also serve these crispy okras as a crunchy snack.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Okra Recipe
- Crispy, crunchy texture
- Simple seasonings with loads of flavor
- No breading needed
- Ready in 15 minutes
- Naturally low carb, keto, paleo, whole30, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan
What Is Okra?
Okra, sometimes called ladies’ fingers, gumbo, or ochro, is a fuzzy green vegetable that grows in hot, humid weather. It can have an offputting slimy texture if not cooked correctly, but that’s not an issue with this crispy air fryer okra recipe. This texture is also the reason that it’s often used in stews, such as gumbo, for thickening.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for air fryer frozen okra, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Okra – Use fresh or frozen okra that is cut into 1-inch slices.
- Olive Oil – Or avocado oil.
- Spices – Garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and cayenne pepper.
How To Cook Okra In The Air Fryer
This section shows how to cook okra in air fryer with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Prep air fryer. Spray the air fryer basket with oil spray. Preheat the air fryer.
- Season okra. In a medium bowl, combine okra, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and cayenne pepper. Toss to coat.
- Air fry. Place okra in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook, tossing half way through.
TIP: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer.
Cook okra in batches if necessary to let air fully circulate around the okra and help it get crisp.
How Long To Cook Okra In The Air Fryer?
The okra cooking time will depend on if you use fresh or frozen okra:
- Fresh – Air fry for 10 minutes, tossing half way through.
- Frozen – Air fry for 15 minutes, tossing half way through.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep air fryer okra in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer or hot oven, at 350 degrees F.
- Freeze: Freeze air fried okra in an airtight container for 2-3 months. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer to crisp up.
More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
If you like this recipe, you might also like some of these other air fryer vegetable recipes:
Tools To Make Air Fryer Okra Recipe
- Air Fryer – This one is my favorite because the appliance is compact but the basket is roomy.
- Snack Trays – These fun snack trays have room for a dipping sauce and are the perfect way to serve this okra recipe.
Air Fryer Okra Recipe
Air Fryer Okra Recipe (Crispy & Easy!)
This easy air fryer okra recipe is made with just 5 common ingredients! Cooking okra in the air fryer (fresh or frozen!) gets them super crunchy.
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
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Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C).
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In a medium bowl, combine the okra, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix to coat. (If using frozen okra, no need to thaw.)
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Place the okra in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd, as air needs to circulate for best results. You might need to air fry in 2 or 3 batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
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Fresh: Cook fresh okra in the air fryer for 10 minutes, tossing halfway through.
Frozen: Cook frozen okra in the air fryer for 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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26 Comments
Linda Monforte-Ritter
0What if you don’t have an air fryer?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Linda, You could probably use an oven but they might not be as crispy.
pinky
0WOW! These were delicious. I cooked for an extra 2-3 minutes at 400 degrees at the end in my air fryer to help crisp them up but either way they were still delicious. Thanks for the recipe!
Tracy
0Hi, I’d love to try this but don’t have an air fryer, can I bake them in the oven?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Tracy, That should work, but they might not be as crispy.
GS
0Fantastic! I love okra, and this is a fast, easy, delicious way to make it. We have a stainless tray-style air fryer and a regular bag of okra fit on two trays perfectly. I air fried it a little over 15 minutes to make it a little crispier in our particular air fryer. Will definitely be making this again!
MacKenzie
0Can’t wait to make this air fryer okra. It’s such a great way to add crispiness without the oil.
Traci
0I made this awhile ago and it was so good! Loved the crispy outside texture of the okra. Delicious!
Jenn
0Love love love okra! This recipe was so good and so easy! What a winner!
Shelby
0Such an underutilized veggie! I love the simple seasoning on this okra!
Erin
0This okra was so quick and easy to make! Will make again soon, thanks!
Betty
0This sounds so delicious. I’ll be making it tomorrow.
jessica
0I havent had an airfryer for very long but figured most vegetables could be cooked in it so I decided to go recipe hunting and found this. My family loves okra when its cooked well and I had a feeling it would be good. I was right! We were out of cayanne but they still turned out very tasty. I used frozen okra and they still turned out perfectly crispy with the extra 5 minutes of cook time. Thank you!
Heidy
0This okra recipe came out perfect. This recipe is a keeper in my book. Our family loves it. Looking forward to more great recipes from your blog.
Anna
0We just got an air fryer so this recipe will come very handy! I’m really looking forward to trying this, as I’m a huge fan of okra!
Tracy
0This was such a delicious okra recipe! My family loved it, even my kids who said they didn’t like okra!
Lauren Michael Harris
0I never think to buy and make okra, but I’ve been trying to use my air fryer more AND expand our veggie intake. Definitely giving this a go this week!
Tristin
0Mmm, bring on all of the okra recipes! This was so good, made a great side dish.
Erin
0This was so good! Will make again soon. My first time making okra!
Mikayla
0I believe I have found a new favorite snack. So easy to make and really good as a crispy snack. SO much better for you too!
Lisa
0I make this okra and eat it like candy! The air fryer is the best way to cook it!
Deb
0I never tried okra in the air fryer until now. It was really easy and so good.
Deb
0I never tried okra in the air fryer but since I just got one and had some frozen I made for lunch. Excellent!
Rose
0I grew up in New Orleans so while I’m very familiar with okra, living in California now for 20 years, I haven’t had it in a while. I tried this recipe yesterday (with frozen okra) and it was delicious!! I had to air fry for an extra 5 minutes (perhaps since it was frozen?) to get the crispness I desired but it was very flavorful and I’ll definitely make this again. Thanks!!
Jen
0Didn’t work with my air fryer. Followed instructions exactly. Okra was WAY too salty & not crispy at all – very soggy. Was very hopeful, but unfortunately will not use this recipe again.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Jen, Sorry this recipe didn’t meet your expectations. What type of air fryer did you use?