It is the most magical time of the year! I anxiously anticipate the arrival of okra in the farmer’s markets and then I eat it practically daily until it disappears again. And my very favorite method is oven “frying” it. If you are lucky enough to have an air fryer, it can make some super delicious okra fries as well.
Ingredients
- okra, as much as you want
- salt and pepper
- avocado oil or olive oil
Cut the heads off of the okra and then slice them lengthwise in half. Put okra in a bowl and drizzle with high quality oil of choice. Toss to coat and then generously salt and pepper them (they are designed to be fries after all). If you are baking them in the oven, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Take a large baking pan and place a wire rack on top. Place the okra (seed side up) on the wire rack. Do not overfill as you want them to get crispy, not steam. All ovens vary, so start with 8 minutes and check every minute or so after that until they are browned and crispy but not burnt. Serve immediately! You will never look at okra the same again!
To bake them in the air fryer, prepare them exactly like the oven but place in a pre-heated air fryer (at 400 degrees) for 9 minutes to start and then in two minute increments until crispy and delicious! Do NOT overcrowd! They need their own space to get crispy!
Well Robin, you’ve got me craving okra fries at 7 a.m.! I grew up with okra, which my mother typically prepared with stewed tomatoes. It was not my favorite but THIS is an okra I can embrace. Will try it soon. Also love your commentary on your local farmer. Keep the inspiration coming!
Love to all Reifies 🙂
My mom made stewed tomatoes with okra too which I was not a big fan of (sorry mom!). But I LOVE okra fries…as a matter of fact, I made myself a big batch for lunch yesterday and happily ate them all by myself! And I made them again for dinner but then I had to share, which can be the worst when you really love them!