Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh okra, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Cooking spray or 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
1. Prepare the Okra
- Wash and slice the okra into rounds.
- Place the okra in a bowl and pour over the buttermilk.
- Let it soak for 15–20 minutes to help the coating stick and reduce the sliminess.
2. Make the Coating
- In a large bowl or bag, combine cornmeal, flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Drain the okra and toss it in the cornmeal mixture until evenly coated.
3. Air Fry the Okra
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil.
- Arrange the coated okra in a single layer (cook in batches if needed).
- Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.
4. Serve
- Serve hot with ranch dressing, spicy mayo, ketchup, or your favorite dipping sauce.
- Enjoy as a side dish with fried chicken, seafood, barbecue, or Southern-style meals.
Tip: For extra crispy okra, avoid overcrowding the basket and give the pieces space for the hot air to circulate.
