Original Article Published – 9/2/2021

My Take on A Classic Southern Dish: Fried Okra

This recipe is superb. Air Fryer Okra is my take on deep-fried okra; a classic southern dish. In my recipe, I skip the deep fryer and instead use my air fryer. The air fryer makes super crispy okra with far fewer fat and calories.

I batter up the okra halves which makes a crispy, dredged outer casing. I pair the Air Fryer Okra with a beautifully green, roasted poblano dipping sauce. Below I will review the air fryer okra batter ingredients, how to make this dish, and some information about the beautiful and southern veggie, okra. 

Batter Ingredients: Wet

Egg: The egg binds all the batter ingredients together.

Yogurt: Yogurt adds richness and moisture.

Heavy cream: Heavy cream adds fat and flavor. This adds some flavor back that is eliminated by air frying vs deep frying.

Hot Sauce: Hot sauce is totally optional! My Aunt and Uncle tested out this recipe and recommended a bit of spice! So, kick it up a notch with some hot sauce! Some of my tried and true hot sauce favorites include Tabasco, Yellowbird, Tapatio, Cholula, or Dave’s Original Insanity Hot Sauce. Furthermore, a little goes a long with Dave’s Original Insanity Hot Sauce… I recommend just a drop!

Salt & Pepper: It’s so important to the season! Don’t forget it or you will taste the difference.

Batter Ingredients: Dry

Panko: This dry ingredient dredged over the okra keeps the wet ingredients from falling off the okra and landing on the bottom of your air fryer.

Salt & Pepper: Yay! Be sure to season the panko, too!

How to Make

1. Cut the Okra length-wise.
2. Fill two plates or bowls with your wet and dry mixtures for the batter. Set out your two dishes side by side for battering. And, always remember to season!
3. Dredge the okra in a wet dish then transfer to dry, and coat.
4. Place the dredged okra in the air fryer. Note, do not overcrowd the okra. You can always make multiple batches if needed.
5. Air fry the okra at 350 deg F for 10min. Then, flip the okra and cook for another 10min at 350 degrees F.

Sharper Nutrition Fix: Okra

Okra Slime

Okra “slime” is the mucuousy substance that comes from the okra fruit. Yet, the mucilage contains soluble fiber, excellent for the bowels. During digestion, the soluble fiber in mucilage can help ease constipation and keeps you regular.

Okra in The Garden

Okra is a wonderful hot weather plant. Oftentimes, okra is the last remaining plant in the garden if temperatures get up in the 100s. Did you know, okra is drought tolerant and loves direct sunlight.

When harvesting okra, make sure to wear long sleeves or gloves because most okra varieties okra is covered in tiny spines that may irritate your skin.

For more information about Okra nutrition and horticulture check out this chapter from the book “Lost Crops of Africa: Volume II: Vegetables.”

Try Some of These Recipes

Try my Roasted Poblano Pepper Sauce as a dipping sauce for this air-fryer okra recipe.

Want more apps? Try making this with Cool Spinach Artichoke Dip and/or Feta Lemon Pasta Salad.

Air Fryer Okra

Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN

This Air Fryer Okra is my take on the Southern Classic Fried Okra! I dredge the okra in a yogurt based panko breadcrumb mixture.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• 2 bowls
• Tongs

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 cups fresh okra

Batter Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp heavy cream or avocado oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• Hot sauce to taste optional, your favorite hot sauce

Batter Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups Panko Breadcrumbs
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

 

• Slice Okra in half, lengthwise.
• Fill two bowls, one with wet batter ingredients and one with the dry batter ingredients.
• Dredge the okra halves in wet bowl then transfer to the dry bowl.
• Place dredged okra in the air fryer, try not to over crowd the pan. If needed make multiple batches.
• Set the Air Fryer settings to 350 degrees F and time for 10min. Flip Okra when done, then repeat cooking the okra at 350 degrees for 10min.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!