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Air Fryer Okra With Cajun Seasoning - Crispy, Spicy, and Fast

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound fresh okra, small to medium pods
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for deeper smoke)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Lemon wedges, for serving (optional but recommended)

Method
 

  1. Prep the okra: Rinse the okra and pat it very dry. Trim the stem ends and cut each pod into 1/2-inch rounds. Drying well helps minimize slime and boosts crispiness.
  2. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. A hot basket helps the okra sear instead of steam.
  3. Season: In a large bowl, toss okra with the oil until lightly coated. Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. If you like heat, add a pinch of cayenne. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
  4. Load the basket: Arrange the okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket. A little overlap is fine, but avoid piling. If needed, cook in batches.
  5. Air fry: Cook for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You’re looking for browned edges and a lightly crisp texture. If you want extra crisp, add 2–3 more minutes.
  6. Finish and taste: Transfer to a bowl, squeeze with fresh lemon, and adjust salt. Serve hot while the edges are still snappy.