Okra is called 'Bhindi' in Hindi (native Indian language) .Bhindi masala or bhindi fry is one of the easiest Indian curries. bhindi or bendakaya is commonly known as okra ladies finger in India. It might look slimy to some but it has beautiful yellow flowers just before the vegetable starts to grow. You may fry it to make your kurkuri bhindi, air fry it or have it pan fried. However, frying okra takes lot of hot oil. Air fried okra recipe helps you avoid the oil yet enjoy one of your most favorite recipes.
Crispy fried okras make any meal better. The outside is crunchy and the inside is tender - you won't even remember the slimy okra you had before. This air fryer okra dish is simple and speedy to whip up, plus it uses little oil than the deep-fried version. You can also cook it with potatoes to make aloo bhindi.
If you are looking for new recipes, there are many simple recipes you can cook for bhindi lovers.Learn to make many air fryer okra curry recipe here. Make aloo bhindi in air fryer. You can also make this crispy okra where we coat sliced okra with cornmeal mixture. We make a Sindhi okra curry or bharwa bhindi in a pan with okra whole with slits in between, potatoes and tomatoes. You can also coat tender okra with gram flour / chickpea flour (besan) and cook it with some peanuts, shredded coconut Mangalorean style.
Ingredients
- Okra / Bhindi - I prefer using fresh okra (thin and dark green color is the best)
- Oil - I prefer to use an oil with high smoking point, sesame oil,avocado oil, macadamia oil are good options if using cold press oil. If you are using a refined oil,then you may use any oil such as sunflower oil, rice bran oil.
- red chili powder / paprika - Use as per your liking
- Coriander powder - Used for flavoring
- garam masala / pav bhaji masala or any masala spice mix - Use if you like it spicy.
- salt as per taste
refer to recipe card for details
Instructions for air fryer bhindi
Air-fried okra is easy recipe for those who are looking for a healthier version of the classic deep-fried okra. To get crispy air fryer okra, start by washing and drying the fresh okra pods .Chop the into okra slices, Then, toss them in olive oil or vegetable oil in a small bowl.
Put the okra in the air fryer in a single layer, heat it up, and let it cook until it's golden and crunchy. Make sure to flip the okra pieces halfway through the cooking time for even browning. Refer to detailed steps below.
Wash and dry the fresh okra.
Cut it down in small pieces. (ignore the tops)
Toss the okra with 1/1.5 tablespoon oil
In a preheated airfryer (10 mins at 170 C| 340 F) and place the okra in the basket without overlap. Air fry it for 10 mins at 170 C| 340 F.
In a mixing bowl, add the semi air fried okra spices and 1 tablespoon oil.
Now, further air fry the okra/bhindi 7-9 mins at 170 degrees C | 340 degrees F.
Cook more if you like it more crispy, serve with roti.
It tastes great with jeera rice, dal makhani or yellow dal tadka too.
air fried bhindi masala | air fryer okra recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 500 gm okra use fresh bhindi or frozen bhindi.
- 2-3 tbsp. oil
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder or pav bhaji masala or any masala mix
- ½ tbsp. red chilli powder /paprika
- salt as per taste
Instructions
- Wash and dry the fresh okra, then cut it into small pieces. Finally, toss the okra with 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of oil.
- Set the air fryer to 170°C (340°F) and preheat for 5 minutes. Put the vegetables in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook it in an air fryer at 170 C| 340 F for 10 minutes.
- Combine the semi air fried okra spices and 1 tablespoon more oil in a mixing bowl. Then, transfer the mixture to the air fryer basket.
- Next, air fry the okra/bhindi for an additional 7-9 minutes at 170°C | 340°F.
- Serve hot with rice or roti.
Notes
What veg can be cooked in air fryer?
Okra is an easy veggie but it gets a bad rap if it is not cooked well. It can feel slimy, in that case you need to cook it longer. After washing , its best to cut raw okra after drying with paper towels. You can always buy it frozen okra if raw is not available in season. It cooks fast and most kids like it. You can pair it with rice or roti for a quick meal. However for crispy and kurkuri air fried bhindi. The best results for this air fryer recipe when cooked with fresh and young okra.
There are many air fryer vegetable recipes that you can make. Surprised? It is not just for frozen fries and pizzas.
I love making air fryer brussel sprouts, air fryer potatoes, air fryer asparagus, air fryer corn, air fryer zucchini , air fryer yellow squash in it. There is a huge range of recipes you can make.
Other Variations
You can also add some amchur or dry mango powder or lemon juice for more tangy air fryer roasted okra recipe.
You can air-fry leftover okra for a quick snack or side. Put the okra in the air fryer in one layer so they cook evenly. Have fun experimenting with different seasonings and spices to make okra in the air fryer.
You can also combine cornmeal with okra to make this southern style air fried okra.
Storage
Store this gluten free cut okra curry for 2-4 days in refrigerator. Store leftover cooked okra in airtight container. It tastes great the next day too.
FAQ
It is a good source of folates and very beneficial for pregnant women.
It aids digestion as it has a lot of fiber in it. Helps relieve constipation, bloating.
It is good for digestive system
Rich in vitamins A , K and vitamin C
Good source of Magnesium
Another important okra benefits are high fiber and lowering of heart related risks like strokes and obesity.
Conclusion
All in all, air-fried okra is the easiest and healthiest way to get crunchy okra fries. This is a healthier version of the classic deep fryer okra and it's super easy to make at home. All the ingredients for this recipe are available at your local grocery store. Try this recipe and savor the crunchiest air fryer fried okra as a delightful and healthy snack or great side dish.
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