Appetizer or side, fried okra is delicious!
Air frying okra though is a challenge. It gets too hard or it’s still under cooked. Adding lengthwise cuts to the okra and fanning it out creates thinner pieces so it cooks more evenly. The sticky surface area lets the corn meal okra stick better.
They come out crispy, done all the way through, they cook in less time and they are delicious! Just like fried okra! I think they look like little paws, don’t you?
Add thin slices of jalapeño to your bag of corn meal and throw those on with your okra to add an unexpected pop of flavor.
Crispy Okra Monkey Paws
I thinly slice each okra pod 4 times lengthwise starting from the cap. I then fan the okra out by pressing on the cap. Dip each into the cornmeal mixture to coat and place on a baking sheet with a rack. These are ready in 30 minutes and delicious served with fresh lemon and hot sauce.
Print Recipe
Equipment
- baking sheet with rack
- Air fryer or convection oven
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Fresh okra
- 1 Cup Organic corn meal
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Pepper
- 1/2 Cup Aqua Faba Or Avocado Spray
Instructions
- Wash okra.
- Mix cornmeal, salt and pepper in a zip loc bag.
- Thinly slice each okra pod lengthwise starting from the cap. You should be able to make 4 cuts in each okra pod depending on the size. Fan the okra out by pressing on the cap.
- Dip okra pod into aqua faba or spray with avocado oil.
- Dip okra pod into the cornmeal mixture to coat and place on a baking sheet with a rack.
- Place baking sheet in oven then pour water in the pan under the okra. This helps to cook the okra and keep them from drying out too much. Add water as needed.
- Bake in air fryer at 375 ° F for 7-10 minutes or a convection oven at 375 ° F for 30 minutes. Cooking times vary by method! You want them crisp and brown.
Notes
This is a Snap Pea Sheep recipe.
This is a really basic recipe! Try adding different spices like fenugreek, garlic, turmeric, cardamom, zaátar, baharat, berbere or chili powder. Okra has an interesting flavor on it's own but it takes on Indian or African spices very well.
I usually cut jalapeño rings and prepare them the same way along side the okra.
I served this with lemon and habanero sauce but they would be good with a ranch style sauce as well.
If you use chick pea aqua faba as your dipping liquid, consider coating your chick peas with the corn meal mixture and air fry them too. They make a great snack.
