Roasted okra is simple to prepare and delicious. Okra loses its characteristic sliminess when roasted and develops a sultry flavor. And it’s even easier to make in the air fryer.

My new favorite way to eat okra is so simple and easy that it almost can’t be called a recipe. All you have to do is wash the okra, put it in an oiled baking dish, sprinkle it with seasonings, and bake it. The beauty of this is that no cutting is involved, so you never come in contact with the dreaded slime!

The okra come out slightly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and they’re perfect finger food (like green French fries, but don’t use ketchup). Even my husband, who says that okra is not his favorite vegetable, loved these. For me they’re the perfect side dish or light lunch–super-easy, fat-free, and delicious.

One thing to bear in mind when you’re buying okra is that the smaller the okra, the better. Larger okra is tougher, and while that toughness might cook out in a gumbo or soup, it doesn’t when the okra is roasted. I spend a lot of time at the local farm stand selecting the smallest pods of okra I can find.

Roasted Okra in the Air Fryer

Update 8/6/18: Since I posted this recipe in 2006, a lot has changed in my kitchen, and maybe yours. Since then, I’ve invested in not one but two air fryers, a small Phillips Viva and a Breville Smart Oven Air.

Recently, I made this recipe again using the air frying setting on the Breville Air. Instead of a baking dish, I put the okra directly in the Breville’s wire basket. I set the temperature to 425F, and air fried the okra for 14 minutes.

The main difference between baking and air frying in the Breville is that I did not have to stir the okra at all. The pods were evenly cooked in 14 minutes. I also did not have to oil the air fryer basket, which is stainless steel and fairly non-stick.

I highly recommend the air fryer for roasting okra. If you have a model other than the Breville, I suggest cooking them at 390-400F for 10-14 minutes or until they are beginning to brown.

Print 5 from 5 votes Add to Recipe BoxGo to Recipe Box Roasted Okra Roasted okra is the simplest way to prepare okra. Okra loses its characteristic sliminess when roasted or air fried and develops a sultry flavor. Prep Time 5 minutes Cook Time 15 minutes Total Time 20 minutes Servings 1 Author Susan Voisin Ingredients 1/2 pound small whole okra , per person 1/2 pound small whole okra , per person

salt to taste salt to taste

pepper to taste (or seasonings of choice) pepper to taste (or seasonings of choice)

olive oil spray (optional, if needed to prevent sticking) olive oil spray (optional, if needed to prevent sticking) Instructions First, start with the smallest okra you can find. Larger okra tends to be woody, which wouldn't work in this recipe.

Wash the okra. Trim off any excess stems, but do not cut into the okra pod itself.

Preheat the oven to 450 F. Spray a shallow baking dish with olive oil, if necessary, add okra, and season to taste. Give the okra one quick (1/2 second) spray with olive oil and put them into the oven. Bake, stirring every 5 minutes, until okra is browned on all sides, about 15 minutes. Serve hot out of the oven. Air Fryer Instructions Preheat a standard air fryer to 390F or a Breville Air to 425F. Toss the freshly washed okra with seasoning and spread it in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Begin air frying, checking after about 7 minutes. Air fry until the okra is browning on all sides. Notes You can also jazz these up with spice blends such as garam masala, curry powder, chili powder, Creole seasonings, or jerk seasonings--whatever your taste demands. But simple salt and pepper is amazingly good and allows the fresh flavor of the okra to shine through. Air fried okra naturally has zero Smart Points under Weight Watchers Freestyle Program. Nutrition Facts Roasted Okra Amount Per Serving (1 serving) Calories 70 Calories from Fat 2 % Daily Value* Fat 0.2g 0% Sodium 9mg 0% Carbohydrates 16g 5% Fiber 7g 29% Protein 5g 10% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Tried this recipe? Post a photo to Instagram and tag @susanffvk

If you like Indian food, be sure to check out Roasted Okra Masala. And if you’re a fan of fried okra, try my battered, oven-fried version.

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