Crispy Air Fryer Okra is a healthier way to make crunchy southern fried okra without the excessive amount of oil. The flavorful crunchy coating is made with cornmeal, seasonings, and gluten-free flour. This crispy okra recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and incredibly delicious! (No Air Fryer, No Problem! Oven instructions are included below!)
Serve this crispy okra with homemade creamy chipotle sauce for the ultimate dish! If you’re looking for more okra recipes to try, check out my Garlic-Herb Roasted Okra.
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Making crispy okra in the air fryer is incredibly easy, and the taste is phenomenal! With each bite, you have a flavorful, crunchy outer layer, with tender, perfectly cooked okra in the middle. Serving it with creamy chipotle sauce makes them even more enjoyable!
The chipotle sauce is a creamy smokey sauce made from raw cashews and chipotle peppers. It is gluten-free, vegan, and ready in less than 5 minutes! I highly recommend serving this healthy air-fried okra with the creamy chipotle sauce!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Okra Recipe
- Way less greasy, easy prep, and even easier clean-up!
- Super flavorful with a smokey, crispy crust!
- Healthier than typical oil-fried okra, but same texture (and better flavor!)
- Completely Gluten-Free!
Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Air Fryer Crispy Okra
- Okra: Fresh okra works best for this recipe. You can leave the okra whole and make crispy okra fries, or you can slice the okra into 1-2″ pieces.
- Eggs: The eggs help to the coating stick to the okra.
- Crunchy Coating Mixture: Cornmeal, Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, Italian Seasoning, Smoked Parika, Garlic Powder, Cumin, Sea Salt. Here is the gluten-free flour I use: King Arthur All-Purpose Flour | Amazon. (NOTE: can sub gluten-free flour with regular flour)
How To Make Crispy Air Fryer Okra
- Rinse and dry the okra with a clean towel or paper towel.
- Combine the ingredients for the coating in a shallow bowl. Whisk the eggs and seasoning in a separate bowl.
- Dip the okra in the egg wash, then place it in the coating mixture. Use tongs or your fingers to move the okra in the mixture and make sure all sides are coated. If you slice the okra into bite-sized pieces, simply pour the egg wash over the cut okra and toss the okra until evenly coated.
- Place the breaded okra on a parchment-lined baking sheet. And repeat the previous step until all the okra is breaded.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
- Using tongs, place the breaded okra in a single layer in the air fryer and lightly spray the okra with cooking oil spray. Air fry the okra for 10 minutes. Then, gently flip the okra using tongs and lightly spray with cooking oil spray. Air fry the okra for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until it has reached your desired level of crispiness. Repeat this step if you have any more okra to cook. (Cook in batches. You may need to cook the okra in 2-3 batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.)
- Serve with Creamy Chipotle Sauce or your favorite sauce and enjoy!
How To Make Crispy Okra If You Do Not Have An Air Fryer
After coating the okra in the egg wash and breading mixture, place the okra on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake the okra in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy.
Tips To Make Crunchy Air Fryer Okra Perfectly
- Do Not Overcrowd the Air Fryer. Work in Batches
- Preheat the air fryer before using
- Only spray with oil before cooking in the air fryer and when it is time to flip the okra.
- After working in batches, to rewarm the okra, add all of the okra to the air fryer and ary fry for 1-2 minutes.
Which Air Fryer Do I Use?
I use the Yedi Total Package Air Fryer, 4 Quart. There is also the Yedi Total Package Air Fryer Oven XL, 12.7 Quart which has two racks, making it perfect for making this okra recipe even quicker!
I hope you enjoy this Crispy Airy Fryer Okra Recipe!
If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.
More Air Fryer Recipes!
- Cauliflower Tots | Air Fryer or Baked
- Air Fryer Shishito Peppers (Quick & Easy!)
- Crispy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Fish
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)
- The Best Air Fryer Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
- Air Fryer Lobster Tail with Lemon Garlic Butter
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash (Whole)
Crispy Air Fryer Okra
Ingredients
- 1 lb Okra
- Cooking Oil Spray
Egg Mixture
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Breading Mixture
- 1/3 cup Cornmeal
- 1/2 cup Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour (can sub regular flour)
- 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Cumin
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Rinse and dry the okra with a clean towel or paper towel.
- Combine the ingredients for the coating in a shallow bowl. Whisk the eggs and seasoning in a separate bowl.
- Dip the okra in the egg wash, then place it in the coating mixture. Use tongs or your fingers to move the okra in the mixture and make sure all sides are coated.(If you slice the okra into bite-sized pieces, simply pour the egg wash over the cut okra and toss the okra until evenly coated.)
- Place the breaded okra on a parchment-lined baking sheet. And repeat the previous step until all the okra is breaded.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
- Using tongs, place the breaded okra in a single layer in the air fryer and lightly spray the okra with cooking oil spray. Air fry the okra for 10 minutes. Then, gently flip the okra using tongs and lightly spray with cooking oil spray. Air fry the okra for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until it has reached your desired level of crispiness. Repeat this step if you have any more okra to cook. (Cook in batches. You may need to cook the okra in 2-3 batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.)
- Serve with creamy chipotle sauce or your favorite sauce. Enjoy!
How To Make Crispy Okra If You Do Not Have An Air Fryer
- After coating the okra in the egg wash and breading mixture, place the okra on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake the okra in the oven at preheated 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy.
- Serve with creamy chipotle sauce or your favorite sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Optional Add-in: Add 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese to the breading mixture
Tips To Make Crunchy Air Fryer Okra Perfectly
- Do Not Overcrowd the Air Fryer. Work in Batches
- Preheat the air fryer before using
- Only spray with oil before cooking in the air fryer and when it is time to flip the okra.
- After working in batches, to rewarm the okra, add all of the okra to the air fryer and ary fry for 1-2 minutes.
Nutrition
I don’t comment much, but I feel this method of cooking okra is a game changer.
I had gathered okra & wanted to cook. I usually take my iron skillets outside to the grill and fry. It’s a messy, involved process. Gave your recipe a try. WINNER‼️. Easier (I did have to make several batches,) I don’t think it took any longer.
Best part….Its delicious! It looked appealing, but not as pretty as yours, but nice enough to serve to guests or take to covered dish/cook out.
Thank You
I am so glad you liked the recipe! Thanks so much for leaving a comment 🙂
I am totally surprised to see this recipe. I was actually looking to get some good OKRA recipes but i am so happy to see how i can make them into my air fryer too. Thank you Capri for being so kind and sharing these with us. I’ll have to try this.
You’re welcome, Sarah! I hope you enjoy