This quick and easy air fryer Kurkuri Bhindi is a crispy okra recipe that's spicy and zingy with just the right amount of crunch from besan, aka gram flour. It's a delicious appetizer, snack, or side dish that pairs great with dal and rice.
Made with Indian pantry staples, this flavor-packed dish is ready in a little over 20 minutes of cooking time!
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Kurkuri bhindi is a Punjabi-style fried okra recipe. In Hindi, 'kurkuri' translates to crispy, while 'bhindi' means okra. You can think of this dish as Indian spiced okra fries.
Traditionally, okra halves are dipped in a batter of besan (gram flour) seasoned with salt, and warm Indian spices, then deep-fried in a large pot of oil. This air fryer okra recipe is my healthier take, which tastes like crispy fried bhindi, minus the extra calories.
Healthy Air Fryer Okra - No Deep Fryer Required!
Here's why you will love this recipe for delicious crispy okra:
- Okra is far less slimy the quicker you cook it and the air fryer offers a fast, convenient cooking method.
- Air frying okra requires a fraction of oil for a low-fat, non-greasy, incredibly crunchy side. It's a great alternative to deep frying okra.
- Less oil means we can use a higher-quality fat which makes for a tastier heart-healthy side that's completely vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
- And if all else fails, roasting the okra in the oven offers an easy swap if you don't own an air fryer.
Another must-have for Okra lovers: Bhindi Masala (Baked Indian Okra Stir-Fry)
Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
All it takes is 10 ingredients to make okra in the air fryer. Most of them can be found in the spice aisle of your supermarket or local Indian grocery store. Here's what you will need:
Okra: Okra, also known as bhindi, is a common vegetable in Indian cuisine. Look for it in the fresh produce section, usually near the green beans.
Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is a high-heat, heart-healthy fat that has a neutral flavor and works well with the high temp of the air fryer and oven. It also keeps the recipe completely vegan. Olive oil is a good substitute.
Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory while providing an earthy flavor and bright orange hue. I find ground turmeric to work much better here than fresh turmeric root.
Red Chili Powder: Cayenne is a great chili choice if you'd like it spicy, but feel free to skip it for a mild version. Paprika is a good substitute for medium.
Coriander Powder: This adds a special citrus and piney flavor that can't be beaten.
Cumin Powder: A little smokey and a lot savory, it wouldn't be kurkuri bhindi without some cumin.
Amchur: Amchur is a dry mango powder that adds a tangy flavor. It's available at most Indian grocers or online.
Chaat Masala: Chaat masala is a spice blend used in Indian cooking that adds a zesty, tangy bite. If unavailable, simply squeeze 1-2 teaspoons of lime juice over the okra fries just before serving.
Besan: Besan, also known as gram flour or chickpea flour, is a common ingredient in Indian cooking. I love it for its light texture and nutty flavor. Rice flour, cornstarch or cornmeal flour are great alternatives and all options keep the recipe gluten-free.
Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Kurkuri Bhindi
Air frying okra is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Let's take a look at the step-by-step instructions with photos:
Prep okra: Rinse okra well. Dry it completely, and trim off the crown and tips. Then cut each okra in half lengthwise.
Coat okra: Combine okra, oil, salt, spices, and chickpea flour in a large mixing bowl and toss well until the okra gets coated with spices and flour.
Air fry: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 2 minutes. When ready, spread the okra in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you like your okra extra crisp, you can also spray the basket lightly with cooking spray before adding okra.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook okra in 2 or 3 batches. Cook for 12 minutes or until the okra turns golden brown, shaking the basket halfway through.
Make it Extra Crispy: If you like your roasted okra extra crispy, shake the basket and cook it for another 1-2 minutes.
No Slimy Okra Tip: Okra is filled with a gel similar to what's inside the aloe plant. It is very important to thoroughly dry the okra before cutting to minimize the amount of stickiness and slime. The fast cooking method of the air fryer also prevents the gel from releasing.
Alternate Method: Oven-Baked Kurkuri Bhindi
Season the okra as per the instructions above. Cook in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve this air fryer okra along with one of our favorite lentil recipes - Spinach dal or Dal tadka, with a side of basmati rice or roti, for a complete, plant-based weeknight meal.
I also enjoy this as an evening snack. These Indian okra fries are also great for entertaining. Everyone goes crazy for this crispy, crunchy snack at small gatherings with friends and family.
Try a Variation: Bengali-Style Bhendi Bhaja
Skip the chickpea flour and add the following to try another popular crispy okra variation from the flavor-rich state in Eastern India:
- 2 tablespoons of fine semolina + 2 tablespoons of rice flour
- ½ teaspoon Nigella seeds (kalonji) + 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Dry the okra very well before cutting to prevent the natural gel in the plant from releasing. This prevents the okra from becoming slimy and ensures a crisp bite every time.
- Since a few of the ingredients are traditionally Indian, shop at a specialty Indian grocery store or online for the most economical and easy-to-find shopping experience.
- If chaat masala is unavailable, simply squeeze 1-2 teaspoons of lime juice over the okra fries just before serving.
- Besan (gram or chickpea) flour is a traditional ingredient, but it can be replaced with rice flour, cornstarch, or cornmeal flour for a light-and-crispy texture.
- Air fry in two or three batches. Spreading the okra into a single layer ensures the ultimate crispness. The number of batches will vary depending on the size of your air fryer. If oven-roasting the okra, use two baking sheets.
- For extra crispy texture, spray the basket with cooking oil spray before adding okra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some say soaking the okra in a mixture of vinegar and water for an hour can help reduce the slime, but I have never tried this myself. For best results, thoroughly dry the okra before cutting and give it a quick bake in the air fryer.
This is a direct result of overcrowding. Make sure the okra is positioned in one, single layer with some space in between, whether in the air fryer or on baking sheets for the oven. Air fry in 2-3 batches or use 2 baking sheets, if necessary.
No, frozen okra will not crisp up in the air fryer or oven, even when thawed and patted dry. I have personally tried it myself and it always comes out soggy. This has much to do with the added moisture present in frozen okra. Use fresh okra for best results.
Okra should be cooked for about 12 minutes in the air fryer, or until it gets tender, but still has a crunch. If you like it softer, cook it for another 1-2 minutes.
More Air Fryer Vegetables
These recipes are part of the Air Fryer Vegetables collection. If you enjoy Indian flavors, you might also enjoy these Air Fryer Indian Recipes.
📖 Recipe
Kurkuri Bhindi - Crispy Okra
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Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound okra rinsed, dried and cut in half lengthwise
- 4 tablespoons avocado oil
- ¾ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder (cayenne - skip for mild)
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon amchur (dry mango powder)
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala see notes for substitute
- ¼ cup besan (chickpea flour) - see notes for substitute
Instructions
Air Fryer Crispy Okra
- Rinse okra well. Dry it completely, then cut each okra in half, lengthwise. Trim off the crown and tips.
- Combine okra, oil, salt, spices and chickpea flour in a large mixing bowl and toss well until the okra gets coated with spices and flour.
- Preheat the air fryer at 360°F for 2 minutes. When ready, spread the okra in the fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook okra in 2 or 3 batches. Cook for 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.Note: If you like your okra extra crispy, shake the basket and cook it for another 1-2 minutes.
Oven Baked Crispy Okra
- Season the okra as per instructions above. Cook in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway though.
Notes
- Dry the okra very well before cutting to prevent the natural gel in the plant to release. This prevents the okra from becoming slimy and ensures a crisp bite every time.
- Since a few of the ingredients are traditionally Indian, shop at a specialty Indian grocery store or online for the most economical and easy-to-find shopping experience.
- If chaat masala is unavailable, simply squeeze 1-2 teaspoons of lime juice over the okra fries just before serving.
- Besan (gram or chickpea) flour is a traditional ingredient, but it can be replaced with rice flour or cornstarch.
- Air fry in two or three batches. Spreading the okra into a single layer ensures the ultimate crispiness. The number of batches will vary depending on the size of your air fryer. If oven roasting the okra, use two baking sheets.
- For extra crispy texture, spray the basket with cooking oil spray before adding okra.
Nina says
Hi Aneesha,
I’m planning to serve this for dinner on Friday. I was wondering if there’s any component I can make ahead (potentially partially air fry it?) so that it’s basically quicker to make and serve when it’s time for dinner? I have to do it in batches so it’s a bit slower so what would I do with the done batch while the next batch is cooking to ensure it stays crispy? Ideally I’d like to serve it all at once.
Thank you!
Aneesha says
Hi Nina, you can clean, dry and cut the okra and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator a day ahead. If cooking in batches, preheat the oven to 250F, then keep the first batch warm in the oven (on a cookie sheet) while you air fry the other batches.
Nina says
Hi Aneesha,
If I want to prep this ahead of time what should I do?
Also while it’s cooking in batches what should I do with the batch that’s done? Ideally I would like to serve it all at once.
Aneesha says
Hi Nina, you can clean, dry and cut the okra and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator a day ahead. If cooking in batches, preheat the oven to 250F, then keep the first batch warm in the oven (on a cookie sheet) while you air fry the other batches.
Priya Dasi says
Hi Aneesha,
Just came across your air fryer recipe for okra.
Will definitely try.
I’m Fiji Indian and proud to connect with you
Take care
Priya
Sydney Australia
Aneesha says
Happy to connect with you too Priya! I hope you enjoy this okra and many more recipes from the blog. Looking forward to reading your feedback ????????
Terrie says
your recipe does not say to coat the okra with the avocado oil. You have to watch the video to find out where/when it is used! I will try the recipe soon.
Aneesha says
Hi Terrie, step #2 mentions combining okra with oil and spices. I hope you enjoy this recipe.