Air Fry Bhindi Fry | Okra Fry

Air Fry Bhindi Fry ( Okra Fry) is a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional deep fried Bhindi. This side dish is prepared with okra and a blend of aromatic Indian spices and air fried until crispy.

Serve it with Indian bread such as roti, paratha, or naan. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and low-carb.

Jump to:

• About Bhindi Fry (Okra Fry)
• About Air Fry Bhindi Fry (Okra Fry)
• Ingredients
• Step-by-step Recipe For Air Fry Bhindi Fry (Okra Fry)
• How To Pick Okra
• Pro Tips For Best Air Fry Bhindi Fry
• Storage
• Serving Suggestions
• Air Fry Bhindi Fry | Okra Fry

About Bhindi Fry (Okra Fry)

Bhindi Fry is a very easy and delicious recipe from Indian cuisine. This dish is made using bhindi (okra) and basic Indian spices. Traditionally, bhindi, is deep fried and tossed in dry spices for a flavorful, crispy bhindi fry.

Growing up in India, I remember my mom made bhindi (okra ) a few times a week. She used to make bhindi fry, masala bhindi, bhindi aloo, bharwa bhindi, quick bhindi fry, and many other dishes.

We all used to enjoy it a lot. It was one of the quickest, and the easiest weeknights dinner, making okra (bhindi). Serve it with some roti, paratha, or with kadhi khichdi. Yum!!!

About Air Fry Bhindi Fry (Okra Fry)

My hubby loves Okra and this recipe is one of his favorites. The fact it's so easy to cook and delicious, I make it almost every week. And now, I make it more than once a week after I tried making it in the air fryer.

I like to air fry bhindi, instead of deep frying. Thus keeping it light and healthy for our Indian palate. I have used the same aromatic spices traditionally used to flavor this dish for the same authentic taste but in a healthier way.

This air fryer bhindi fry cooks in a fraction of the oil, as compared to the traditional deep-fried one. Thus, preserving the authenticity, and flavors of this dish.

I have shared a recipe for air fry bhindi fry, using Instant Pot Instant Vortex Plus, Air Fryer  and Air Fryer lid using Instant Pot. Try this healthier, no fry bhindi fry and you will be pleasantly surprised with its taste and texture. Healthy Cooking!!

Looking for more Indian Air Fryer Recipes? Check out these - No Fry Gujiya (Karanji), No Fry Sabudana Vada, and No Fry Chakli (Murukku)

Ingredients

• 1 pound bhindi ( okra )
• ½ tablespoon coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon dry mango powder (amchur), adjust to taste
• ½ teaspoon red chili powder, adjust to taste
• 2 tablespoon oil
• salt to taste

Step-by-step Recipe For Air Fry Bhindi Fry (Okra Fry)

Air Fry Bhindi fry ( Okra fry), is simple, easy to make, with just one veggie and few spices, you can make a lip smacking dish in no time.

Prep For Air Fry Bhindi Fry (Okra Fry)

1. Wash the okra. Spread okra on a clean kitchen towel and pat dry to absorb any extra moisture.
2. Chop the okra into half inch pieces (as shown in pic). Note: Discard the top part of the okra.
3. In a bowl, combine chopped okra, dry ingredients and oil. Toss to coat evenly.

Method 1: Air Fry Bhindi Fry

You will need Instant Pot Instant Vortex Plus or Air Fryer

1. Divide the okra onto the cooking trays in an even layer.
2. Select AIR FRY, set the temperature to 350°F and the time to 15 minutes. Press START.
3. When it displays "Add Food", place one cooking tray at the top, and second tray in the bottom. Place the drip pan in the bottom most position.
4. When it displays "Turn Food", switch the trays. The top one goes in the bottom and bottom one goes in the top.
5. When the AIR FRY is complete, check okra is done, if required add additional minutes of cooking time.
6. Dish out okra in a serving dish. Serve Bhindi Fry with some Indian flatbread – roti, naan, paratha. Enjoy!

Method 2: Air Fryer Bhindi Fry Using Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid

You will need Instant Pot, and Air Fryer lid

1. Important: Completely UNPLUG the Instant Pot unit, before proceeding with this recipe.
2. Arrange the okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
3. Place the trivet (that comes with an air fryer lid) inside the inner pot of Instant Pot. Place the crispy basket on top of the trivet. Now place the air fryer lid on top of the inner pot. Plug the lid and lower the handle.
4. Air fry okra at 350°F for 15 minutes. Shake them half way through.
5. When the AIR FRY is complete, check if okra is done, if required add additional minutes of cooking time.
6. Repeat the process for the remaining okra.
7. Dish out okra in a serving dish. Serve okra fry with some Indian bread – roti, naan, paratha. Enjoy!

How To Pick Okra

Okra comes in many sizes. From long, and slender to short and thick. When it comes to picking okra, I look for fresh, young okra that is bright in green color and has no black or brown spots.

I prefer short or medium and thick okra. These are usually the best kind. They are not woody and also have smaller seeds as compared to the long, slender okra.

Young okra is around 2-3 inches tall, wheres mature okra is more than 3 inches tall. Look for young okra, it tastes great and has smaller seeds too.

Fresh okra stays good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Pro Tips For Best Air Fry Bhindi Fry

The star ingredient of this recipe is Okra, pick the freshest, young okra for best results. See the post earlier for – How to pick okra?

Wash the okra. Spread okra on a clean kitchen towel and pat dry to absorb any extra moisture. You can let the okra air dry for 30-60 minutes in a colander.

Trim the top part of Okra only. You can leave the bottom part of okra intact, it is absolutely edible. Cut the okra into around half inch pieces.

Arrange the okra in a single layer in air fryer basket for even cooking.

Gently, toss the okra half way through, for even cooking. It takes around 15-20 minutes to cook okra in an air fryer.

For Instant Pot Instant Vortex Plus, spread the okra evenly on both the trays. When the air fryer displays "Turn Food", switch the trays, for even cooking.

You can adjust the spiciness my adding more or less red chili powder.

To adjust the tanginess, add more or less dried mango powder (amchur).

Pic Shown: Sindhi Tidali Dal, Air Fry Bhindi Fry, and roti.

Storage

Air fry bhindi fry stays good for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, sprinkle some water and air fry for 3-4 minutes at 350 F or until heated through.

Serving Suggestions

Air fry bhindi fry can be enjoyed with roti, paratha, or naan. It pairs well with dal, or kadhi chawal (rice) too.