Bhindi, also known as okra or lady finger, is a beloved vegetable in Indian cuisine. Whether you're an okra lover or trying it for the first time, this frozen bhindi in air fryer recipe is a game-changer. Air frying ensures a healthier life by using less oil while retaining the vegetable's unique flavor. With Indian spices like garam masala, red chili powder, and turmeric powder, you can create a perfect side dish or main dish that pairs wonderfully with plain rice, jeera rice, basmati rice, dal tadka, or warm rotis.
Cooking frozen bhindi in an air fryer eliminates the slimy texture often associated with okra, making it the right way for even picky eaters to enjoy this nutritious vegetable. If you want to make fresh okra or fresh bhindi in airfryer , refer to our recipe for air fryer bhindi .
Ingredients
To make this flavorful bhindi masala recipe, you'll need:
- Frozen okra pieces (pre-cut from Indian grocery stores or an Indian store nearby)
- oil (Since we are cooking at a low tempreture, you can use any kind of oil here )
- Spice powders: turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, coriander powder, dry mango pepper
- Salt
Frozen bhindi in airfryer | air fryer okra fry recipe
Equipment
- frying pan
- or air fryer for low oil version
Ingredients
- 500 gm okra chopped
- 3 tablespoon oil any vegetable oil
Spices
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon garam masala adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon amchur dry mango powder,optional
- Salt as per taste
Instructions
Prepare the Bhindi:
- Place the frozen okra in a big bowl and pour in room-temperature water.
- Let it soak for 2 minutes, then drain off any extra water.
- Do this again to make it less slimy.
Toss with Oil & airfry
- Toss the drained bhindi with 1 tablespoon oil to coat evenly.
- Pre-heat your air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for a 5 minutes.
- Arrange the bhindi in a single layer within the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking the basket after midway. If necessary, use a small amount of oil to spray.
Continue Cooking & add spices
- Cook the bhindi for 10 minutes,shaking midway once again.
- Combine coriander powder, turmeric, red chili powder, amchur, and salt in a small bowl.
- Toss the partly cooked bhindi with the spice mix and a bit more oil to coat.
Final Air Frying & serve
- Continue air frying the spiced bhindi for 5 to 10 more minutes until they are crispy and golden.
- Expect the dish to take approximately 30 to 35 minutes to cook.
- Take the bhindi out of the air fryer and serve it hot as a side dish or a snack.
Video
Step by step pictures
Frozen okra or frozen bhindi has to be cooked little differently in comparision to the fresh okra.
- Take the frozen bhindi in a bowl.
- Add water in the bowl at room tempreture
- Drain the excess water , repeat this step again
- Toss oil with the drained bhindi
5. Cook in a preheated airfryer @160C|320F for 15 mins, spray oil .
6. Cook for further 10 min
7. Add oil and spices
8.Cook for further 5-10 minutes , total cooktime of 30 - 35 minutes.Cook time depends on the quality of the okra used.
FAQ
Do not soak the frozen okra for long in water.
Yes! Fresh okra works great.
Pair it with plain rice, dal tadka, jeera rice, or warm rotis. It’s a perfect side dish for Indian cuisine staples.
You can adjust the spice level by reducing red chili powder and cayenne pepper.
30-35 minutes at a low temperature is the ideal time.
Variations & Substitutions
- Bhindi Fry: make air fryer bhindi with fresh okra
- Crispy breaded Okra Fry : Toss in bread crumbs for a crispy southen style okra
- Okra potato Sabzi: You can make aloo bhindi in airfryer.
- Avocado oil can be swapped with regular cooking oil, but avocado oil provides a healthier option.
- Spices - Adjust spices as per your taste. You can use curry powder with salt and that is good enough.
Conclusion
This frozen bhindi in air fryer recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to incorporate Indian spices into everyday cooking. It’s a healthier life choice with low carbs and minimal oil, making it ideal for health-conscious home cooks. Whether you’re enjoying it as a side with dal tadka or jeera rice, or creating a bhindi masala curry for warm rotis, this dish is sure to become your personal favorite. So, why not try it today and elevate your cooking experiences with this delicious okra recipe?
anu says
This was an excellent recipe. Thanks for sharing with the correct steps.