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Author:
Franco Salzillo
Okra might just be the crunchiest veggie, and that’s why it has so many fans. Okra is also a southern staple in the United States and a symbol of southern cooking.
Interestingly, okra is not a veggie but the seed pod of a plant and could be considered a fruit, which explains its tubular shape and white seeds. Interesting, too, is okra’s origin — it is native to Ethiopia, Africa, and it is thought to be brought to America 500 years ago with the first colonists.
How to cook okra? There are many ways of cooking the green pods, but among our favorite methods there’s the air fryer. Fast, easy and with very little oil — isn’t that awesome?
To make air fryer okra, you’ll need whole okra pods and your favorite seasonings, including salt and pepper; we add garlic and onion powder too, but paprika and Old Bay seasoning will produce tasty results as well.
The secret behind seasoned air-fried okra is spraying the veggie with oil and tossing it with your preferred seasonings. Five-to-eight minutes in the air fryer at high temperatures are usually enough but check your appliance’s instruction manual.
Know that you can also slice the okra for a different presentation. The recipe below will also work for sliced okra, so try both ways and find your favorite.
Roasted okra is a beautiful snack. Serve it at all hours, mainly if you have friends coming over. Okra is a game-changer, especially who those who have never tried it. Air-fried okra is also an excellent partner at the table, ideally served with southern food, such as tomato pies, chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, hoppin’ john and other classics.
Fried okra is also compatible with other cuisines, especially if you adjust the seasoning. By adding paprika and dried oregano, for example, air-fried okra will pair nicely with Mediterranean dishes. Okra is compatible with all types of cuisines.
Place the whole okra in a mixing bowl, spray with cooking oil and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Transfer the okra into the air fryer basket.
Air fry for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Serve as a side dish or crispy snack before a hearty meal.
