Masala Okra Fries are a quick, delicious, low-carb, and healthy snack. They’re ready in 20 minutes and served with a quick Greek Yogurt dip.

About Masala Okra Fries, Air Fryer or Oven

You must try these Masala Okra fries at least once, even if you aren’t a fan of okra. If you love snacking and crave something spicy and crispy, then this healthy recipe needs to make its way to your kitchen now!

Crispy Masala Coating

These okra fries are seasoned with Indian masala, which also forms a crispy coating on the okra. Whether you air fry these Masala Fries or bake them in the oven, each one will have a light breading in every bite.

Satisfying Okra Crunch

Masala Okra Fries offers a spicy and satisfying crunch, providing a delicious way to enjoy okra just like you would enjoy potato fries, even when you’re new to it or uncertain about how to cook it.

If you’re looking for more snack ideas, check out amazing air-fryer recipes on my site. And don’t pass up the chance to try the low-carb antojitos for a tasty and fulfilling appetizer!

Low-Calorie Snack

Additionally, okra offers a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fibre. And it’s low in calories! Come on, where are you going to find a serving of “fries” that are just under 50 calories?

Low Carb “Fries”

Do you still have doubts about okra, need some assistance in cooking it, or feel a bit overwhelmed about using it in a recipe? No problem—I will guide you in turning this naturally low-carb vegetable into tasty masala “fries” that you can serve with a quick Greek yogurt dip!

What makes Masala Okra Fries Crispy?

• This recipe presents a unique approach to achieving a crispy texture similar to Kurkuri Bhindi (crispy okra), a popular South Asian fried snack.

• While Kurkuri Bhindi is typically breaded in a combination of flour and cornstarch and then fried for crunch, this recipe completely omits those ingredients and uses a different breading method.

• The okra is first coated in beaten egg and then dipped into a dry masala seasoning mix consisting of spices, onion flakes, and a small amount of chickpea flour. The breading process is similar to making chicken strips, except panko breadcrumbs are not used.

What does Okra Taste Like?

Okra is a unique vegetable prized for its distinct taste, texture, and shape.

There are various types of okra, and in this recipe, I utilize Indian okra, which typically has five-sided pods that exhibit a beautiful hexagonal pattern when sliced.

The taste of okra is subtle, with slightly sweet and bitter notes,

somewhat reminiscent of raw green beans or mange tout. Ultimately, the best way to understand the taste of okra is to try it for yourself!

When okra encounters moisture, it can develop a slimy or gelatinous texture,

which may negatively affect the taste of the dish it is cooked in. To prevent this, I recommend cooking it with minimal water to preserve its flavour without making it gooey or sticky.

Is Okra a Healthy Vegetable?

• Okra is very nutritious indeed, with various health benefits. It is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as minerals like calcium and potassium. Okra is also high in fibre, which helps with digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness.

• Additionally, research has shown that okra may help support healthy blood sugar levels and improve heart health.

• In fact, my father-in-law would soak okra pods in water overnight and then drink the water the next day. He, like many others, believed that okra aids in lowering high cholesterol levels.

How do you choose Okra for this Recipe?

Identify Indian Okra

• Fresh, bright green pods are younger and better.
• Avoid yellow ones, as they may be too ripe and woody.
• Look for small, thin pods that are firm and without bruises or blemishes.
• Stay away from discoloured or soft pods with mouldy patches.

Consider the size of the Okra

• The younger the okra looks, the fresher it will be.
• Check for ugly dark spots or brown streaks, as they indicate that the okra is old and not fresh.
• It should feel firm but soft in the middle area.
• If the tip breaks off with a snap, then it is fresh. If it’s hard, then it is too ripe with inedible fibres.

Can You Eat Okra Raw?

Raw okra can be eaten, but it tends to become slimy when it comes into contact with saliva or water.

Nevertheless, you can still appreciate the flavour and texture of raw okra by thinly slicing it and adding it to salads and soups as a garnish.

This recipe allows the okra to cook for about 8 minutes in the air fryer, enough time to make them tender and crispy.

Are Masala Okra Fries Good for Weight Loss?

• Okra is definitely a great vegetable to include in your diet if you are trying to lose weight.
• Okra is low in calories, carbs, and fibre and can help you feel fuller for longer periods of time. Additionally, it is rich in nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and potassium, which can help support a healthy and balanced diet.
• If you are looking for a healthy and nutritious food that can help you lose weight, adding okra to your meals will be a great choice.

Carbs and Servings in Masala Okra Fries?

Masala Okra Fries are extremely low in carbohydrates and are an ideal choice for a keto diet. You can snack on a serving without being concerned about the carb content unless, of course, you need to maintain ketosis.

under 5g net carbs per serving

This recipe yields six servings, with approximately six pieces per serving. Each serving contains:

• 4.6g of carbohydrates
• 1.3g of fibre
• 3.3g of net carbs

While it’s tempting to indulge in these spicy okra fries, it can be challenging to keep track of how many servings you’ve enjoyed!

Ingredient Notes in Masala Okra Fries

Fresh Okra

Pick the small finger-length Indian Okra, which is bright green and soft to the touch when pressure is applied. Avoid large okra, which are firmer and lighter in colour.

Eggs & Avocado Oil

Eggs and avocado oil act as the “glue” that holds the seasoning/breading mix to the okra.

Chickpea Flour

Chickpea flour can be found at any grocery store. You can also use gram flour, besan flour, or Garbanzo bean flour, which are all made from different varieties of chickpeas.

Masala Seasoning

Cumin, paprika, chilli powder, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and baking powder are commonly stocked in the spice aisles. Mango powder, also known as amchur powder, offers a sweet and tangy flavour and is readily available at Indian grocery stores. A suitable alternative to mango powder is adding lemon juice to the egg mixture or using sumac powder or pomegranate powder.

Onion Flakes

Onion flakes are crucial for achieving crispness and creating an enjoyable okra snack. They are available in grocery store spice aisles. I find that they’re the closest ingredient to Panko Breadcrumbs, which is an alternative if you’re not too worried about carb content.

Cooking Spray

Avocado oil or olive oil cooking spray is used for the air fryer basket, and it is sprayed onto the okra before cooking.

Greek Yogurt Dip

Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, lemon juice, cumin powder, garlic powder, and salt are all you need to make this quick dip. As the okra fries are spicy, the dip has a cooling effect and pairs well with them.

How to Make Masala Okra Fries in the Air Fryer

1) Wash and Dry the Okra

Wash the okra pods under running water, then wipe and dry each one using a paper towel. It’s essential for the okra to be completely dry and free from any wetness as much as possible.

Trimming off the tips is optional. I don’t always do it, but I have found that it helps to have all the okra the same size for this recipe.

2) Slice Okra in Half Lengthwise

Slice the okra in half lengthwise, which should result in about 36 equally sized pieces. Divide the sliced okra into four batches ( about 9 in each batch ).

3) Prepare egg mixture

Next, beat the eggs in a medium-sized bowl and stir in the avocado oil. Whisk until the wet eggy mixture is incorporated.

4) Prepare Masala Seasoning and Coating

Add the chickpea flour, onion flakes, and spices to a bowl and mix it up. I like to use a rectangular bowl with a flat bottom. Alternatively, you can use a sealable Ziploc plastic bag as a shaker to coat the okra in batches. Remove half of the dry mixture and set it aside to add to it later.

Note: The images below do not depict an updated version of this recipe to show the dry masala seasoning with onion flakes.

5) “Bread” the Okra Slices

With everything in front of you, work in batches if using an air fryer; otherwise, follow the steps to bread the okra and read the notes below on how to make these in the oven.

Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with avocado oil. Working one batch at a time, dip an okra slice into the egg, shake off any excess, and then toss it lightly into the masala seasoning.

Expert tip: To save time, you can bread 2-3 okra slices at a time. Shake off the excess egg, then toss them all into the masala seasoning and shake sideways until all the okra is lightly covered in the masala seasoning.

6) Air Fry the Okra Slices

Arrange the breaded masala okra from one batch in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. Spray the okra with oil and air fry at 325°F for 6-8 minutes or until crispy.

Once done, transfer the okra to a cooling rack. Add more of the reserved masala seasoning to the bowl since some clumps will form during coating. Then, bread the remaining okra in batches until they are all air-fried.

7) Serve Masala Okra Fries with a Quick Greek Yogurt Dip

Mix all the ingredients for the Greek yogurt dip, and serve with Masala Okra Fries. Enjoy!

Oven Method

1) Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray an oven-proof wire rack with cooking spray and place it over a baking tray.

2) Prepare the okra as you would for air frying, working in batches to dip them in the egg mixture and tossing them in the masala seasoning. Work quickly to ensure the okra stays dry during the breading process.

3) Then, place all the “breaded” okra slices on the wire rack, leaving some space between each one.

4) Bake in the oven for 6 to 10 minutes until crispy.

5) Remove them from the oven and allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Useful Tips for Best Masala Okra Fries

• Wipe the okra dry with a paper towel after washing.
• Avoid leaving the okra in the egg mixture too long, as they’ll get sticky.
• Work in batches to ensure that the okra is covered lightly in masala seasoning all over.
• Shake off the excess egg mixture before tossing the okra into the masala seasoning.
• Spray oil on the bottom of the air fryer basket before placing the okra. Then, spray over the okra once more to help them crisp up.
• Avoid crowding the okra slices while placing them in the basket.
• Reserve half of the masala seasoning to begin with, then add more as needed to prevent it from clumping during the reading process.
• Shake the air fryer basket halfway for crispy okra fries.
• Transfer air-fried masala okra fries onto a cooling rack to maintain their crispness as they cool down.

How to store and reheat Masala Okra Fries

Masala Okra Fries taste best when consumed immediately after air frying, but if you need to store them, transfer them into a container with a tight-fitting lid and keep them in the fridge for one to two days. To crispen them up again, simply air fry them for about 5 minutes at 350F.

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