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    Home » Air Fryer Recipes

    Air Fryer Kurkuri Bhindi | Crispy Okra

    Published: Mar 29, 2021 · Modified: May 21, 2021 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 12 Comments

    2620 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Using the Air Fryer for Kurkuri Bhindi means you can enjoy this favorite appetizer, side dish, and snack any time you want! The finger-licking light and ultra crispy coating is Gluten Free and packed with protein from a combination of rice and gram flours. The firm juicy okra is the perfect texture for coating and air frying.

    kurkuri bhindi served with ketchup
    Jump to:
    • Okra Health Benefits
    • Okra Tips
    • How To Make Fried Okra in The Air Fryer
    • What To Serve With Kurkuri Bhindi
    • Storing
    • Frequently Asked Questions About Air Frying Okra
    • Recipe

    Kurkuri Bhindi or Crispy okra is vegan, gluten-free, and full of nutrients from the star—okra. Bhindi/Okra is a favorite ingredient in Indian cuisine as it holds up to a variety of flavors and cooking methods from stewing, to frying, sautéing, and stuffing. Okra, technically a fruit but treated as a vegetable, is jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber so it ups the nutritious quality of many dishes.

    For fans of okra, this dish celebrates a loved ingredient. And for those who are not familiar or don’t think they like okra—Kurkuri Bhindi is the dish to try. Air frying the okra results in a delightful texture. The complex combination of turmeric, chili, garam masala, carom/ajwain seeds, and lemon will have you coming back for more!

    Okra Health Benefits

    Not only does this air fryer recipe taste amazing but it is really good for you too! It is packed with polyphenols - which are antioxidants that help protect your cells from the damage of free radicals. These antioxidants may help protect your brain from symptoms of aging and even improve your memory.

    Studies also show that it might help lower your cholesterol, so it's really good for your heart health.

    Plus, okra is really high in both vitamin C and vitamins K and B6 - all very important for your overall health and energy levels. Vitamin C boosts your immune system and vitamin K is really good for healthy bones. Vitamin B6 is really important for a healthy metabolism.

    Okra Tips

    • Buy tender long okra from Indian grocery stores, about 25 okra. The okra from regular US grocery stores is light green and thick - if using those cut each okra lengthwise into 6 pieces.
    • Wash the okra first, and then dry them really well before you start cutting. 
    • Use a clean dry cutting board and knife. The knife may get sticky while cutting, notice the knife getting sticky, wipe it dry with a paper towel.
    • If the okra is long, cut it into half after making the vertical slits so they cook evenly without losing the shape in the air fryer.
    • If you have a smaller air fryer cook the okra in 2 batches.

    How To Make Fried Okra in The Air Fryer

    • Rinse and drain the okra and completely dry each one with a kitchen towel (photo 1).
    • Cut the top and bottoms off of the okra. Then cut each okra into 4 quarters lengthwise. If the okra is thick you can also cut it into 6 pieces lengthwise (photos 2, 3, and 4).
    cut okra for air frying
    • Place the cut okra in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala, salt, gram flour rice flour, and ajwain seeds. Mix well (photos 5 and 6).
    • Add lemon juice and water. Mix well coating all the ingredients well to the okra. Add the oil and mix well again (photos 7 and 8).
    okra coated with spices and flours
    • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Evenly place the okra in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Having slightly layered okra is ok but spread out as much as possible within the basket (photos 9 and 10).
    • Cook at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Shake the basket, lightly spray the okra with oil and then cook for an additional 2 minutes at 370 ° F (photos 11 and 12).
    okra in air fryer basket

    What To Serve With Kurkuri Bhindi

    You can serve this bhindi dish as a meal with hot roti, parathas, or my favorite way to enjoy it is with kadhi & khichdi. To serve as an appetizer pair it with your favorite dip or ketchup!

    kurkuri bhindi served with ketchup

    Eating spicy foods always puts me in the mood for something sweet. These are my favorite desserts to eat after a savory meal.

    • Mango Shrikhand
    • Kalakand
    • Badam Burfi

    Storing

    Kurkuri bhindi tastes the best fresh out of the air fryer. Eat them right away. If you want to store them for later, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will become softer the longer you keep them, so eat them soon.

    To enjoy them later, just reheat them for a few minutes in the air fryer.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Air Frying Okra

    Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

    No, preheating the air fryer is not necessary. If you are not preheating the air fryer you may need to cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes. 

    How do you reheat fried okra if you want to eat it later?

    The best way to reheat leftover fried okra is in the air fryer. Reheat it for 1-2 minutes at 350°F. 

    How do you make this in the oven?

    If you want to make this in the oven, preheat the oven to 390 degrees F. Follow the same steps in the recipe card, just bake it in the oven for 20 minutes, turning the okra halfway through cooking.

    Why is my okra sticky?

    Make sure you are rinsing it really well and drying it completely with a kitchen towel. Then, slice it really thin. This will give you non-slimy okra.

    Can I cut the okra into round slices?

    Yes, lots of people enjoy round bhindi too. Make sure you are still slicing it very thinly, that way they will become crispy in the air fryer.

    Did you enjoy this easy Air Fryer Appetizer? Here are some more recipes to try:

    • Crispy Cauliflower Bites
    • Buffalo Chicken Wings
    • Tandoori Chicken
    • Chilli Chicken
    • Paneer Tikka
    • Fish Sticks

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    kurkuri bhindi served with ketchup
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    4.80 from 10 votes

    Air fryer Kurkuri Bhindi

    Indian Spiced Crispy okra cooked in an Airfryer
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time12 mins
    Total Time32 mins
    Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 94kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • ½ pound okra **
    • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
    • ¼ teaspoon garam masala
    • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 tablespoons gram flour besan
    • 2 tablespoons rice flour
    • 1 teaspoon carom seeds ajwain seeds
    • ½ lemon juiced
    • 1 tablespoon water
    • 1 tablespoons oil
    • ½ lemon cut into wedges for serving

    Instructions

    • Rinse and drain the okra. Completely dry each okra individually with a kitchen towel or paper towels.
    • Cut the top and bottoms off of the okra. Then cut each okra into 4 quarters lengthwise. If the okra is thick you can also cut it into 6 pieces lengthwise.
    • Preheat the air fryer at 400° F for 5 minutes.
    • Place the cut okra in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala, salt, gram flour rice flour, and ajwain seeds. Mix well. Add lemon juice and water. Mix well coating all the ingredients well to the okra. Add the oil and mix well again.
    • Lightly spray the air fyer basket with cooking oil. Evenly place the okra in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Having slightly layered okra is ok but spread out as much as possible within the basket. Cook in 2 batches if you have a smaller air fryer.
    • Cook at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Shake the basket, lightly spray the okra with oil and then cook for an additional 2 minutes at 370 ° F.
    • Serve immediately with lemon wedges and ketchup.

    Video

    Notes

    • Buy tender long okra from Indian grocery stores, about 25 okra. The okra from regular US grocery stores is light green and thick. If using those cut each okra lengthwise into 6 pieces.
    • If you have a smaller air fryer cook the okra in 2 batches.
    • Depending on the size of your air fryer the okra may be less or more time to cook. Check the okra after about 6 minutes and adjust the cooking time
    • Preheating the air fryer is not necessary. If you are no preheating the air fryer you may need to cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes. 
    • When making okra ahead of time, simply reheat it in the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes at 350°F 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 451mg | Potassium: 254mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 562IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    1. Ramya says

      April 10, 2021 at 10:18 am

      will be making this soon am indian too but am in Singapore i just told my mom to buy an air fryer perfect for my after office snacks will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya

      Reply
    2. Maya says

      April 10, 2021 at 4:44 pm

      Can we use frozen okra?5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 13, 2021 at 9:38 am

        If it's the small round cut yes!

        Reply
    3. Medha Rajamanur says

      April 14, 2021 at 10:01 am

      Hello ministryofcurry fans, followers and food lovers, don't miss on trying this modern way of bhindi making. I served it with spinach daal and rice. It is a great accompaniment with daal.

      Thanks for the recipe Archana. Another super easy recipe that does not disappoint.

      Reply
    4. Keerthi says

      November 12, 2021 at 2:14 pm

      Why to preheat at 400 and when have to cook at 350?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        November 14, 2021 at 11:19 pm

        I always preheat at 400, by the time you open the basket and add the food it cools down rapidly. So better to preheat extra.

        Reply
    5. Pam Stephens says

      November 28, 2021 at 11:49 am

      What oil spray do you use in the air fryer?5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        November 28, 2021 at 5:41 pm

        I use avocado oil, which I fill in refillable oil spray bottles.

        Reply
    6. Shruti says

      July 05, 2022 at 2:15 pm

      Hi Archana, first of all I am a big follower of your recipes and my family’s most favorite is the malai kofta one with meatless balls
      I want to try this recipe next but don’t have rice flour. Is there any substitute that I can use instead?

      Thanks

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 06, 2022 at 10:46 am

        Hi Shruti! You can use corn starch or arrowroot powder

        Reply
    7. Rekha says

      September 01, 2022 at 11:13 am

      Hi! Love all your recipes, can’t wait to try this one!

      Can you substitute fennel seeds or anything for carom seeds??

      Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        September 01, 2022 at 12:40 pm

        You can skip carom seeds.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

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