Air fryer okra
This recipe demonstrates that okra is far more adaptable than you may imagine, with its crunchy polenta crumb coating. These air fryer morsels, when chopped into bite-sized pieces, are ideal for dipping into warmed napolitana sauce, white barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing. TIP: Cornflakes can be used in place of polenta!
This tasty, crispy snack or side dish will satisfy your palate and give your meal a nutritious twist. It’s a guilt-free treat since you can get that ideal crunch with the air fryer without using a lot of oil. Whether you’re a seasoned okra lover or discovering it for the first time, this tasty and nourishing delicacy will up your snack game.
Recipe By: Liz Macri
Ingredients:
- 90g, or half a cup 50g of polenta, or 1/3 cup lard
- One teaspoon of sweet paprika
One teaspoon of table salt - 312g packet of frozen chopped okra
- two eggs
Directions:
- In a shallow bowl, mix together 90g (1/2 cup) polenta, 50g (1/3 cup) plain flour, 1 tsp sweet paprika, and 1 tsp table salt. In a another shallow bowl, whisk together 2 eggs and 1 tablespoon of lukewarm water.
- For three minutes, preheat the air fryer to 200°C
- In the meanwhile, pour the egg mixture over half of the 312g packet of frozen chopped okra (save the remaining okra) and let the excess drop back into the bowl. Toss to coat after adding to the polenta mixture.
- Grease the air fryer basket. Place the okra in the basket. Apply oil with a spray. Cook okra for 10 minutes, flipping and misting with oil halfway through, or until brown and crisp.
- Continue with the remaining polenta mixture, egg mixture, and okra.
TIPS:
- Prepare the Okra: Give it a thorough wash and drying. To ensure equal cooking, cut off the stems and slice the okra into uniform pieces.
- Seasoning: Combine your preferred seasoning blend with the okra.
- Paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and Cajun spice combination are popular options. To ensure that the seasoning sticks to the okra and helps it crisp, lightly cover it with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Organise Equitablely: In the air fryer basket, arrange the seasoned okra in a single layer. Soggy okra and uneven frying are two consequences of overcrowding.
- Temperature and Cooking Time: Set your air fryer to approximately 400°F (200°C). To achieve consistent cooking, shake the basket midway during the 8 to 12 minutes when the okra is cooking. Towards the finish, keep an eye on them to avoid scorching.
- Verify the okra’s doneness by looking for an exterior that is crispy and golden brown but an interior that is still tender. Use a fork to pierce one to determine the ideal level of tenderness.
- Serve Right Away: Take pleasure in your air-fried okra right away for the finest flavour and consistency. It goes nicely with a tart yoghurt dip or a creamy garlic aioli as a dipping sauce.
- Try Different Seasonings and Dip Sauces: Don’t be scared to explore and discover your favourite flavour combo. For an added savoury kick, you may also try adding a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or grated Parmesan cheese.