Air Fryer Okra {Truly Crispy}

My air fryer okra recipe features cornmeal-seasoned okra that is crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle. I promise you, it will convert okra haters!

Craving more air-fried vegetable recipes? Try my air fryer Brussels sprouts, air fryer carrots, and air fryer cauliflower next. 

Confession time: the first time I had okra, I hated it. But because I’m a foodie, I kept trying different recipes until I eventually fell in love with them. 

My favorite way to cook okra is, by far, using my air fryer. It needs minimal oil, and you still get crackling, crispy okra smothered in a gorgeous cornmeal breading. 

Why I love this recipe

• Healthier than deep frying. A spritz of cooking spray is all the oil you need, and you still get that satisfying crunch as if it’s deep-fried.
• There’s no slime! Okra has a bad rap for having a gummy or slimy texture, but I’ve found that it all comes down to the preparation. By air frying it, you don’t get that at all. 
• Easy to customize. Depending on what you have on hand, you can substitute any of the seasonings I listed below.
• Air-fried in 10 minutes. Even compared to deep frying, that’s WAY faster. 

Ingredients needed

• Okra. I tried frozen and fresh okra, and both turned out equally good, so use whichever you prefer. 
• Cornmeal. For a crunchy breading. I used white cornmeal flour, but yellow cornmeal works too. 
• All-purpose flour. For the breading. Use gluten-free all-purpose flour if needed. 
• Kosher salt. To taste. 
• Seasonings. I used garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. 
• Large egg. To dredge the okra. 
• Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk, but any dairy or dairy-free milk works. 
• Cooking spray. To grease the air fryer basket. 

How to cook okra in the air fryer

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Prep the ingredients, preheat your air fryer to 200C/400F, and lightly grease the air fryer basket.

Step 2- Assemble the batter. In one shallow dish, stir the cornmeal, flour, salt, and seasonings to combine. In a second bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. 

Step 3- Dredge. Dip each okra slice into the egg mixture, then the cornmeal mixture. Press lightly to ensure the coating sticks. 

Step 4- Air fry. Transfer the breaded okra slices to the greased air fryer basket. Air fry for 10 minutes, stopping to toss the basket midway through. 

Arman’s recipe tips

• Don’t crowd the basket. My #1 tip for anything air-fried is to keep everything in a single layer. That way, there’s no overlapping, and each piece of okra develops a crispy texture. 
• Switch up the spices. Try taco seasoning, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, or cayenne pepper for a little heat. 
• Serve it with a dipping sauce. Okra loves big flavors, so don’t hesitate to pair it with all sorts of dipping sauces! I’m partial to ranch dressing, cottage cheese dip, or spicy mayo. 

Storage instructions

To store: Leftover air-fried okra can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 

To freeze: Allow the remaining okra to cool completely, then freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to three months. 

Reheating: Reheat okra in an air fryer or oven until warm. 

Frequently asked questions

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