This air fryer frozen okra is ready in minutes. No need to thaw—just toss it in your favorite seasonings and a bit of olive oil, set the timer, and you’re good to go. It’s quick, easy, and makes a perfect side dish, appetizer, or snack.
Air fryers are fantastic for cooking frozen foods. We have a huge chest freezer with all kinds of frozen foods, which I usually forget to thaw. With an air fryer, it is not a problem, because it can cook everything from frozen.
Try our air fryer frozen asparagus, air fryer frozen butternut squash, air fryer frozen chicken breasts, air fryer frozen fish fillets, air fryer frozen wings, and air fryer frozen shrimp.
While it is not always easy to find fresh okra, you can always find frozen okra at any grocery store. It is already washed, trimmed, and often sold cut, whole, and sometimes breaded.
Frozen okra is ready to cook and air frying does the best job in preparing okra from frozen. Air-fried okra comes out perfectly tender inside with crispy edges.
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Ingredients
You can find the ingredients quantities in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Frozen okra: I used already cut frozen okra. You can also air fry whole frozen okra.
- Oil: Use olive oil or avocado oil. You can also use cooking oil spray.
- Seasonings: I used salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Corn starch (optional): it makes okra crispier and helps eliminate the slimy texture that okra often has.
How to air fry frozen okra
Keep frozen okra frozen until ready to cook. You can air fry cut or whole frozen okra. For best results preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes to 400 degrees f.
In a large bowl, add frozen okra pieces, a little bit of olive oil, cornstarch, salt, and the rest of the seasonings. Toss it very well to make sure the okra is well coated.
Transfer seasoned okra into the air fryer basket and arrange it in a single layer.
Air fry at 400 400 degrees f for 12 minutes, shaking it 2-3 times during the cooking process. Okra is ready when it develops a golden brown color and tender inside.
Nataliia's recipe tips
- Do not thaw okra before air frying.
- Make sure to toss it really well in oil and seasonings.
- Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Okra is known to be mucilaginous (slimy inside when cooked). Adding cornstarch before cooking can help eliminate it.
- If the okra looks dry halfway through the cooking time, spray it with a little cooking spray or drizzle some extra oil on it.
Serving ideas
As a side dish, you can serve okra with so many dishes.
- Protein: baked chicken legs, air fryer thin pork chops, baked salmon, lamb chops, roasted turkey legs.
- Grains: barley risotto, buckwheat kasha, Mediterranean rice.
- Potatoes and pasta: roasted sweet potato slices, pasta with lentils, air fryer baked russet potatoes, roasted herb potatoes and green beans.
Seasonings ideas
Okra has a mild, earthy flavor. It tastes slightly sweet and somewhat grassy, similar to green beans and asparagus. That's why you can enjoy okra in a lot of styles by using different seasonings - from Indian to Southern. Below are a few ideas for you to try:
- Cajun seasoning (Southern): paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano.
- Garam masala (Indian): coriander powder, cumin, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper.
- Italian seasoning (European): basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, lavender
- Harissa (African): chili peppers, garlic, coriander, caraway, cumin, olive oil.
- Adobo seasoning (Latin): garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, turmeric.
- Teriyaki (Asian): soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic.
Additional ingredients
- Fresh lemon juice and zest: for a fresh and tangy flavor.
- Parmesan cheese: sprinkle some after cooking for a savory finish.
- Soy sauce: adds umami flavor.
- Blue cheese or ranch: perfect for dipping okra
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: add some on top for creaminess.
Recipe FAQ
No, you do not need to thaw frozen okra before air frying. It’s better to air fry okra from frozen for the best results.
Store leftover air-fried okra in an airtight container for about 2-3 days. You can reheat it in the microwave, but better to use the air fryer to okra crisps back.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Okra
Equipment
- 1 large bowl
- 1 Air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen cut okra , or whole frozen okra
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon corn starch , optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes. In a large bowl add 2 cups frozen cut okra, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon corn starch, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon sweet paprika , ½ teaspoon garlic powder , ¼ teaspoon onion powder , ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Toss well to coat each piece.
- Arrange seasoned okra in air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in bathes if needed.
- Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket 2-3 times throughout the cooking time. The okra is ready when browned on the outside and tender inside.
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