One of many best advantages of okra, nonetheless, is available in its distinctive skill to assist your intestine microbiome. “Okra is particularly good for the intestine,” Zibdeh says. “Okra can tackle a slippery texture; this substance truly helps coat the liner of the intestine whenever you eat it.” It is tremendous vital that the liner of your intestine stays intact, as a result of in accordance with Zibdeh, a leaky intestine could permit dangerous pathogens could make their method into the bloodstream. (And don’t fear, when okra is correctly cooked, the slippery texture evaporates. It additionally goes away when cooked with any acid like tomatoes, lemon juice, or vinegar.)
Why is air fryer okra so scrumptious?
Talking of correct cooking strategies. There are many ways to prepare okra—you’ll be able to boil, bake, grill, sauté, roast, and fry it. You’ll be able to even pickle okra, or dehydrate or ferment it if you wish to get pleasure from it over time. Relying on the dish, okra could be minimize into coin-shaped items or cooked complete with the tops trimmed off. However in case you’re in search of that irresistibly crispy, salty, and free-from-slimy textural perfection, air fryer okra is the way in which to go.
Air frying has gained reputation over time as a result of it’s a more healthy various to deep frying and it’s extraordinarily straightforward to organize virtually something, from kale chips and sweet potato fries to hard-boiled eggs and avocado fries. Okra is, in fact, no exception. Good for an appetizer, snack, or perhaps a facet dish, air fryer okra is bursting with taste and is particularly scrumptious when paired with a dipping sauce like creamy garlic, hummus, spicy chili sauce, or this tangy cilantro lime dressing.
Air fryer okra recipes
There are numerous methods to air fry okra—all of it depends upon your taste and textural preferences, in addition to what components you’ve got available.
1. 2-ingredient air fryer okra
The simplest solution to make scrumptious, with out query, is by merely tossing okra rounds with a few tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper like Mary Ellen Phipps, RDN, founding father of Milk and Honey Nutrition, does in this fuss-free recipe. Merely air fry the okra at 400°F for roughly quarter-hour, tossing midway between.
2. Vegan, gluten-free okra fries
Gina Matsoukas, the meals blogger and recipe developer behind Running to the Kitchen, has an ideal recipe for vegan and gluten free okra “fries”—and chances are high, you have already got a lot of the components in your pantry. Matsoukas begins by slicing them lengthwise in order that they tackle a standard French fry form, then makes use of a spice mix of garlic powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder to make them flavorful with a refined kick. Gina additionally makes use of arrowroot starch, however she mentions that tapioca starch or cornstarch could possibly be used as a substitute, too.
3. Crispy cornmeal-breaded okra
For extra of a Southern tackle air fried okra, Julia Foerster of Plated Cravings makes her air fryer okra with egg, milk, flour, and cornmeal to attain the last word crispiness. You’ll be able to nonetheless make this recipe with out cornmeal, however in accordance with Foerster, “including it offers the okra extra texture and taste.” Swapping buttermilk instead of the egg and milk will work effectively for this recipe, too. And to verify the okra doesn’t burn, Julia recommends utilizing a excessive smoke level spray oil like avocado oil, olive oil, or coconut oil. “And do not forget: Fried okra tastes greatest when served instantly with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt,” provides Foerster, so that you’ll wish to get pleasure from these as quickly as they’re prepared.
Remember that as a result of each air fryer is completely different, it’s a good suggestion to verify on the okra after seven to eight minutes, but it surely ought to take about 10 minutes within the fryer basket to succeed in peak crispiness. Additionally, it might appear to be you’re cooking a number of okra—do not panic. Due to their excessive water content material, they have a tendency to shrink as they prepare dinner, so don’t be stunned in case your batch is a bit smaller than anticipated. (As in case you may ever have an excessive amount of of an excellent factor anyway.)
Relying on the place you’re situated, it might be tough to search out contemporary okra within the grocery store. The excellent news is which you could air fry frozen okra simply in addition to contemporary (it additionally eliminates all of the slicing and chopping work—simply saying). Frozen okra often comes breaded or plain, and could be cooked the identical method. Simply seize your favourite cooking oil, air fry for about 10 minutes at round 400°F, and season with a bit salt, pepper, and every other spices that strike your fancy after they’re finished.
Oh hello! You seem like somebody who loves free exercises, reductions for cutting-edge wellness manufacturers, and unique Properly+Good content material. Join Properly+, our on-line neighborhood of wellness insiders, and unlock your rewards immediately.
Our editors independently choose these merchandise. Making a purchase order via our hyperlinks could earn Properly+Good a fee.