Kurkuri Bhindi - Indian Crispy Okra Recipe (2024)

This quick and easy air fryer Kurkuri Bhindi is a crispy okra recipe that's spicy and zingy with just the right amount of crunch from besan, aka gram flour. It's a delicious appetizer, snack, or side dish that pairs great with dal and rice.

Made with Indian pantry staples, this flavor-packed dish is ready in a little over 20 minutes of cooking time!

Kurkuri bhindi is a Punjabi-style fried okra recipe. In Hindi, 'kurkuri' translates to crispy, while 'bhindi' means okra. You can think of this dish as Indian spiced okra fries.

Traditionally, okra halves are dipped in a batter of besan (gram flour) seasoned with salt, and warm Indian spices, then deep-fried in a large pot of oil. This air fryer okra recipe is my healthier take, which tastes like crispy fried bhindi, minus the extra calories.

Healthy Air Fryer Okra - No Deep Fryer Required!

Here's why you will love this recipe for delicious crispy okra:

• Okra is far less slimy the quicker you cook it and the air fryer offers a fast, convenient cooking method.
• Air frying okra requires a fraction of oil for a low-fat, non-greasy, incredibly crunchy side. It's a great alternative to deep frying okra.
• Less oil means we can use a higher-quality fat which makes for a tastier heart-healthy side that's completely vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
• And if all else fails, roasting the okra in the oven offers an easy swap if you don't own an air fryer.

Another must-have for Okra lovers: Bhindi Masala (Baked Indian Okra Stir-Fry)

Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions

All it takes is 10 ingredients to make okra in the air fryer. Most of them can be found in the spice aisle of your supermarket or local Indian grocery store. Here's what you will need:

Okra: Okra, also known as bhindi, is a common vegetable in Indian cuisine. Look for it in the fresh produce section, usually near the green beans.

Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is a high-heat, heart-healthy fat that has a neutral flavor and works well with the high temp of the air fryer and oven. It also keeps the recipe completely vegan. Olive oil is a good substitute.

Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory while providing an earthy flavor and bright orange hue. I find ground turmeric to work much better here than fresh turmeric root.

Red Chili Powder: Cayenne is a great chili choice if you'd like it spicy, but feel free to skip it for a mild version. Paprika is a good substitute for medium.

Coriander Powder: This adds a special citrus and piney flavor that can't be beaten.

Cumin Powder: A little smokey and a lot savory, it wouldn't be kurkuri bhindi without some cumin.

Amchur: Amchur is a dry mango powder that adds a tangy flavor. It's available at most Indian grocers or online.

Chaat Masala: Chaat masala is a spice blend used in Indian cooking that adds a zesty, tangy bite. If unavailable, simply squeeze 1-2 teaspoons of lime juice over the okra fries just before serving.

Besan: Besan, also known as gram flour or chickpea flour, is a common ingredient in Indian cooking. I love it for its light texture and nutty flavor. Rice flour, cornstarch or cornmeal flour are great alternatives and all options keep the recipe gluten-free.

Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Kurkuri Bhindi

Air frying okra is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Let's take a look at the step-by-step instructions with photos:

Prep okra: Rinse okra well. Dry it completely, and trim off the crown and tips. Then cut each okra in half lengthwise.

Coat okra: Combine okra, oil, salt, spices, and chickpea flour in a large mixing bowl and toss well until the okra gets coated with spices and flour.

Air fry: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 2 minutes. When ready, spread the okra in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you like your okra extra crisp, you can also spray the basket lightly with cooking spray before adding okra.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook okra in 2 or 3 batches. Cook for 12 minutes or until the okra turns golden brown, shaking the basket halfway through.

Make it Extra Crispy: If you like your roasted okra extra crispy, shake the basket and cook it for another 1-2 minutes.

No Slimy Okra Tip: Okra is filled with a gel similar to what's inside the aloe plant. It is very important to thoroughly dry the okra before cutting to minimize the amount of stickiness and slime. The fast cooking method of the air fryer also prevents the gel from releasing.

Alternate Method: Oven-Baked Kurkuri Bhindi

Season the okra as per the instructions above. Cook in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Serving Suggestions

I love to serve this air fryer okra along with one of our favorite lentil recipes - Spinach dal or Dal tadka, with a side of basmati rice or roti, for a complete, plant-based weeknight meal.

I also enjoy this as an evening snack. These Indian okra fries are also great for entertaining. Everyone goes crazy for this crispy, crunchy snack at small gatherings with friends and family.

Try a Variation: Bengali-Style Bhendi Bhaja

Skip the chickpea flour and add the following to try another popular crispy okra variation from the flavor-rich state in Eastern India:

• 2 tablespoons of fine semolina + 2 tablespoons of rice flour
• ½ teaspoon Nigella seeds (kalonji) + 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

Recipe Tips & Notes

• Dry the okra very well before cutting to prevent the natural gel in the plant from releasing. This prevents the okra from becoming slimy and ensures a crisp bite every time.
• Since a few of the ingredients are traditionally Indian, shop at a specialty Indian grocery store or online for the most economical and easy-to-find shopping experience.
• If chaat masala is unavailable, simply squeeze 1-2 teaspoons of lime juice over the okra fries just before serving.
• Besan (gram or chickpea) flour is a traditional ingredient, but it can be replaced with rice flour, cornstarch, or cornmeal flour for a light-and-crispy texture.
• Air fry in two or three batches. Spreading the okra into a single layer ensures the ultimate crispness. The number of batches will vary depending on the size of your air fryer. If oven-roasting the okra, use two baking sheets.
• For extra crispy texture, spray the basket with cooking oil spray before adding okra.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Air Fryer Vegetables

These recipes are part of the Air Fryer Vegetables collection. If you enjoy Indian flavors, you might also enjoy these Air Fryer Indian Recipes.

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