Easy Air Fried Okra (Gluten Free, Too!)

What’s better than munching on a handful of  crispy, golden, perfectly fried okra? Munching on several handfuls of savory, crisp okra without guilt because it’s air fried. 

Yep, we cracked the code on crispy, golden fried okra — in the air fryer!

If you love this crispy southern classic but don’t want the extra fat and calories from deep frying, this quick and easy air fried okra recipe is for you!

Grab this recipe, give us 20 minutes, and you’ll be munching on crispy, golden air fried okra in no time. Grab your Station 1923 Creole Smoke seasoning, and let’s get this healthy-ish party started!

Ingredients

• 1 bag (12oz) frozen cut okra 
• 1 cup fish fry of choice or cornmeal
• 1 egg
• Station 1923 Creole Smoke All-Purpose Seasoning
• Parsley to garnish (optional)

Things You’ll Need

• Air fryer
• Mixing bowl
• Food-safe gloves (optional)
• Cooking spray
• Cutting board or tray
• Ziploc-style bag
• Medium-sized dish or baking sheet
• Paper towels

Got your goods? Now let’s get started.

Step 1: Preheat 

Plug in and preheat your air fryer on 400 F for about 5 minutes. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat option, just turn it on and run it at 400 F for 5 minutes. If you cook with food-safe gloves while prepping and seasoning, now is the time to put them on.

Keep your okra in the freezer and gather the rest of your ingredients and tools. Okra is much easier to work with when still frozen.

Also, grab your Ziploc-style bag and pour in your fish fry or cornmeal. If using a plain fish fry or cornmeal, add Creole Smoke (and a little Brown Sugar Smoke for an extra bang of flavor) to the dry coating and shake gently to mix. Set aside.

Step 2: Okra Prep

While the air fryer warms up, dump your frozen (or fresh) cut okra into a mixing bowl. Sprinkle with Creole Smoke and toss. Directly into your mixing bowl, crack one egg.

Moving quickly, the egg around in the bowl of okra by hand. Break the yolk, squeeze, stir, and get up in there! You’ll notice that as the egg and okra mix, the egg begins to freeze as it adheres.

Don’t panic, that’s supposed to happen.

Step 3: Coat

Grab your Ziploc-style bag with fish fry or cornmeal, and by the handful, add the okra. One 12oz bag of cut okra will air fry up in about two batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. 

Once you’ve added enough okra, seal the bag and shake vigorously until all the okra is coated. Remove from the bag and set on a cutting board or tray.

Step 4: Air Fry

Once your air fryer is warmed up, coat the inside with a quick burst of cooking spray. Add your coated okra, leaving enough space to for the hot air to circulate. It’s okay if a few pieces of okra stick together, but you want to avoid huge piles or clumps because they’ll cook into a chunk and stay soggy.

If you have extra batches, refrigerate them while the rest cooks.

Grab the cooking spray and apply a generous coating across the top of the okra inside the air fryer tray. You don’t have to flood the okra, just spray for a second or two. 

Air fry your batch of okra on 400 F for 15-18 minutes, depending on your desired crispness. Halfway through the cook time, open and shake vigorously. Apply cooking spray to any areas that look like they may need it.

Step 5: Enjoy

While the okra fries, grab your medium-sized dish or baking sheet and line it with a few paper towels for draining. Once the okra is air fried to your desired crispness, remove from the air fryer and transfer to the paper towels.

There won’t be a lot of oil since they’re air fried, but it’s always a good idea to drain air fryer foods to help them retain their crispness.

If you have another batch that needs cooking, load it up and repeat step 4 until complete.

That’s it and that’s all! Easy, crispy, and delicious air fried okra goes from freezer to fresh and ready to eat in just 20 minutes!

Shop Creole Smoke

Shop Brown Sugar Smoke

If you give this recipe a try, don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @station1923!