Add Preferred SourceCrisp alert! This Indian-style air fryer okra is so easy to make and is crunchy, light, and the perfect way to enjoy okra. Popularly called kurkuri bhindi, which literally translates to crispy okra, this Indian okra recipe will be your new favorite!
Made with everyday Indian pantry staples, this flavor-packed okra dish is ready in just 30 minutes, including prep time. Serve these okra fries as an appetizer, an easy side dish, or a crunchy tea-time snack with your favorite dip. Vegan and gluten-free.
Kurkuri Bhindi or Indian-style crispy okra is a popular Indian snack made from okra (bhindi) that is seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices and fried. The term "kurkuri" in Hindi roughly translates to "crispy" or "crunchy," and it is often used to describe snacks that have a crispy texture.
I love eating kurkuri bhindi, but I knew that deep frying wasn't the healthiest option. When I tried it in
Why you will love this recipe?
- Crispy texture: This
air fryer okra recipe ensures that the okra becomes wonderfully crispy and crunchy, which is a defining characteristic of kurkuri bhindi. - Quick and easy: Air frying is a quick and hassle-free cooking method. This recipe doesn't require a lot of prep time, and the cooking process is relatively speedy.
Ingredients
Okra/Bhindi: Select fresh and tender okra that are around 3-4 inches in length.
Spices: I am using garam masala, chaat masala, turmeric, and Kashmiri chili powder (paprika).
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
Spicy: Enhance the heat with a blend of red chili powder or cayenne pepper and a pinch of black pepper.
Garlic and onion: Incorporate garlic powder and onion powder for a savory kick.
Cajun seasoning: Use cajun seasoning instead of Indian spices. Serve with ranch dip, sour cream, or garlic aioli.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Rinse the okra well. Dry each okra individually with a paper towel, making sure there is no water content. Cut the crown and bottom part of the okra. Cut okra lengthwise into four parts (images 1 and 2).
Step 2: Place the okra in a large bowl. Add garam masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder, chaat masala, and salt to the okra. Squeeze in the lemon juice and add the oil. Give everything a good mix gently (images 3 and 4).
Step 3: Next, sprinkle the besan over the okra and toss them well. Make sure the okra is well coated with spices and besan (images 5 and 6).
Step 4: Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. The besan should form a coating on the okra (image 7).
Step 5: Lightly brush the
Step 6: Air fry okra at 350 F (180 C) for 12-15 minutes. Shake the basket once midway (image 9).
Expert Tips
Wash and thoroughly dry the okra before slicing it into thin strips. Ensure the okra is completely dry to avoid sogginess. Slice the okra uniformly to ensure even cooking. Thinly sliced okra will become crispier.
Arrange the okra in a single layer in the
You can replace besan with rice flour or cornstarch in this recipe. You can use a mix of these flours, too; however, make sure the quantity does not exceed the amount of flour mentioned in this recipe.
Serving Suggestion
This Indian-style
Appetizer: Serve kurkuri bhindi as an appetizer with a side of green chutney or a tangy tamarind chutney for dipping.
Side dish: This is a great side dish to pair with your favorite Indian main courses like dal, basmati rice, or roti. It adds a crispy and flavorful element to your meal.
Tea-time snack: Pair it with a hot cup of filter coffee, masala chai, or pumpkin chai latte for a spicy and satisfying tea-time snack.
Street food style: Convert kurkuri bhindi into a chaat and serve it street-food style by adding chaat masala, chopped onions, and a drizzle of lemon juice.
Recipe FAQs
To select the best okra for
To store leftover okra, let it cool completely first. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat the kurkuri bhindi, you can either air fry it at 350 F (175 C) for 5-7 minutes, or pan fry it over medium heat for a few minutes per side, or until heated through.
To prevent sogginess when air frying okra, ensure that the okra is completely dry before slicing and seasoning it. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so pat the okra thoroughly with a kitchen towel or paper towel after washing. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the
Yes, you can use frozen okra in this recipe, but keep in mind that frozen okra might release more moisture during cooking compared to fresh okra, which can affect the crispiness of the dish. To minimize this, thaw the frozen okra completely, pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, and then proceed with the recipe. It may require slightly longer cooking times in the
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Recipe card
Air Fryer Okra
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb okra
- ½ cup besan (chickpea flour)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder or paprika
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala
- ½ lemon (or lime)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust as per taste)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Prep and marinate the okra:
- Rinse the okra well. Dry each okra individually with a paper towel, making sure there is no water content.
- Cut the crown and bottom part of the okra. Cut the okra lengthwise into four parts (see step-by-step image above).
- Place the okra in a large mixing bowl. Add garam masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder, chaat masala, and salt to the okra.
- Squeeze in the lemon juice and add the oil. Give everything a good mix gently.
- Next, sprinkle the besan over the okra and toss them well. Make sure the okra is well coated with spices and besan.
- Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
Air Fry the okra:
- Lightly brush the air fryer basket with oil.
- Place the marinated okra in a single layer in the basket. Do not overcrowd the basket. Brush or spray oil on the okra.
- Air fry at 350 F (180 C) for 12-15 minutes. Shake the basket once midway.
- Serve hot.
Selvi says
Honestly I never like the way my mom would cook okras especially in deep frying. *Sorry mom* But I thought of giving it a try using the air fryer and served it with dhal and roti. The combination is unbeatable! So crispy and tasty!
Shilpa Kerur says
I am so glad you liked it, Selvi. This recipe gives you the same crispy texture minus the oil 🙂
- Shilpa
Seema says
Okra has always been part of my shopping list and this recipe is definitely our new favorite! I loved the idea of dipping it in a ranch dip or sour cream. Will surely recommend this to my family!
Shilpa Kerur says
That's lovely to hear. I hope you all enjoy it 🙂
- Shilpa