Crispy, light and healthy Air Fryer Okra or Indian Kurkuri Bhindi Recipe is an easy side or snack made with okra, gram flour, rice flour and Indian spices. Serve with Dal or lentils and rice or as snack with tomato ketchup, dips of your choice. Gluten-Free and Vegan Recipe.
Air Fryer Okra or Kurkuri Bhindi is an easy vegetarian okra recipe that serves as appetizer, entrée or side with main course. This recipe is for all Okra or Bhindi lovers.
Kurkuri translates as crispy in Hindi. This dish has many fans, including my husband. They are crunchy and absolutely delicious. These Indian Style Okra Fries are gluten free and vegan.
I first tasted kurkuri bhindi in our office cafeteria (years ago) and was hooked. Traditionally, okra is deep fried but over the years, I have switched to air frying and enjoy the light version of this dish. There is absolutely no difference in taste.
These Indian style Okra Fries do not need breading. We use gluten-free gram flour or chickpea flour and rice flour to coat the okra and air fry. The spices can be easily customized.
Personally, we love this with Dal-rice as it makes an easy comfort food. Do read some of our recommended Serving Suggestions below for more ideas.
If you have never tried Okra or simply haven't enjoyed it because of its slimy texture, this Air Fryer Kurkuri Bhindi recipe might just change your mind.
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Every week I buy Okra, Bhindi or Lady finger as my husband loves it. Okra is a low-calorie / low-carb veggie and absolutely delicious, when made the right way.
Slime is one of the key reasons why many are easily put off with this vegetable. However, in my post Bhindi Masala, I have shared tips on how to clean and cut bhindi to avoid slime.
Besides Bhindi Masala, we love Vendakkai Pachadi (Okra in Tamil), a South Indian Style Raita with crispy pan fried okra and yogurt. These make great side options for Indian meals.
Ingredients
Okra - Preferably choose tender okra - finger length is perfect for fries. For crispy okra, always air dry the okra for 10 minutes. This removes any residual moisture from cleaning.
Gram Flour and Rice Flour - Both the ingredients are used in the traditional recipe (deep fried). Gram Flour or Chickpea Flour provides a nutty taste and rice flour makes it light and crispy. Both flours are gluten free and vegan.
Spices - Turmeric, Garam Masala, Chaat Masala (substitute with Amchur or dry mango powder) and Kashmiri Red Chili Powder or Degi Mirch.
The spices are easily available in Indian grocery stores or supermarkets.
Oil - Any neutral flavor oil works for this recipe. I have used Olive Oil.
I wouldn't recommend oil-free recipe as you would just end up with dehydrated okra that tastes rubbery and raw.
Some amount of fat is essential for cooking. Though, we are not using a lot unlike the deep fried version.
Step-wise Instructions
Before we begin, wash and pat dry okra / bhindi with a dry kitchen towel. Air dry it for 10 mins to remove any moisture.
Trim the ends / stem and cut the okra lengthwise.
Tip - Keep a kitchen paper towel handy and use it to wipe the slime that sticks on the knife, while slicing the okra.
Add the gram flour, rice flour, spices, salt and oil.
Mix well / massage so that the spices and flour coats every piece of okra.
Once the air fryer is pre-heated, carefully place a batch of okra and air fry until crispy.
Tips for Crispy Okra
Pre-heat the air fryer at 200 Degree C for 2-3 mins. Brush or spray the basket with some oil to prevent the okra from sticking.
Layer the okra in a single line. Do not crowd the basket. This will enable faster cooking.
It takes 10 - 12 mins to air fry each batch. After 5 mins, open the basket and turn the okra (using tongs) so that it crisps evenly.
Cook time also depends on the freshness of Okra. Tender Okra cooks faster so keep an eye.
Serving Suggestions
Main Course - Serve Crispy Okra with Basmati Rice, Red Lentil Dal or Chana Dal and a side salad / raita.
Serve as snack with tomato ketchup, Cilantro mint chutney, Tzatziki, aioli or avocado crema.
Storage
Leftovers can be re-heated in the air fryer. Spray some oil before air frying so it doesn't taste dry.
While re-heating, air fry at low temperature (160 Degree Celsius).
Some Air Fryer Recipes to try
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Air Fryer Okra | Kurkuri Bhindi Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 350 grams Bhindi / Okra
- 3 tablespoon Besan / Gram Flour or Chickpea Flour
- 1 tablespoon Rice Flour
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri Red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon Garam Masala
- ½ teaspoon Chaat Masala Powder
- 2 ½ tablespoon Olive Oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash Okra under running tap water thoroughly. Rinse and Drain completely.
- Pat dry okra with a dry kitchen towel and air dry for 10 mins to remove any moisture.
- Trim the ends / stem and cut the okra lengthwise and add it to a bowl. Tip - Keep a kitchen paper towel handy and use it to wipe the slime that sticks on the knife, while slicing the okra.
- Into the bowl, add gram flour, rice flour, garam masala, red chili powder, turmeric, chaat masala powder and salt to taste. Drizzle olive oil.
- Mix well so that the spices and flour coats every piece of okra.
- Pre-heat the air fryer at 200 degree Celsius for 2-3 mins. Brush /spray oil on the basket.
- Place the okra carefully (do not crowd the basket) and air fry at 180 degree Celsius for 10 - 12 mins or until crispy. After 5 mins of air frying, remove the basket and turn the okra using tongs.
- Once okra is crispy, remove it carefully on a serving plate. Repeat the process with the next batch. Serve the okra fries with a lime wedge or you can sprinkle some chaat masala before serving.
Notes
- Pre-heat the air fryer at 200 Degree C for 2-3 mins. Brush or spray the basket with some oil to prevent the okra from sticking.
- Layer the okra in a single line. Do not crowd the basket. This will enable faster cooking.
- It takes 10 - 12 mins to air fry each batch. After 5 mins, open the basket and turn the okra (using tongs) so that it crisps evenly.
- Cook time also depends on the freshness of Okra. Tender Okra cooks faster so keep an eye.
- Leftovers can be re-heated in the air fryer until crispy. You can spray some oil before air frying so they don't taste dry.
- While re-heating, air fry at a lower temperature (160 Degree Celsius).
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We will be back again with yet another exciting recipe .. Until then, stay healthy and happy!
Vidya Narayan
This is such an awesome recipe and is quite regular for us. It is the best combination ever.
This is such a great idea!! Perfect for my picky eaters!
This okra looks so crispy, I have never had okra as a side dish. Would love to try it.
Indian style okra is a favorite in the family. Always like to try different spices with this lovely vegetable.
Thank you so much! The flavors are perfect and I can’t wait to try this recipe!
I could snack on this fried okra all day! I will be breaking out the air fryer for these today!