Air Fryer version of Punjabi style bhindi /okra Masala. A simple recipe yet delicious vegetarian recipe that is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Bhindi or okra also known as lady finger is a popular vegetable in subcontinent. I have come across people who absolutely love it or hate it, there is no in between. People usually don’t like it because bhindi/okra tend to be bit slimy. It needs to be cooked properly to get rid of sliminess.
This air fryer bhindi recipe is an easier version and also have very little oil as compared to bhindi masala made from frying bhindi. Usually bhindi/okra have to be fried to get rid of sliminess.
Air frying cooks bhindi/okra perfectly, it gets rid of sliminess while retaining its texture and colour.
Ingredients For Air Fryer Bhindi Masala
Bhindi Masala is such and easy recipe with minimal Ingredients and very basic spices.
Bhindi/Okra – you can use fresh ones or even the frozen ones are perfect. There is no difference in taste or texture at all. I mostly use frozen ones, they are precut.
If using frozen, don’t thaw them. Put them in the air fryer straight from the freezer.
When picking fresh bhindi/okra, its important to hand pick the small sized ones. The small ones have minimal seeds and are more tender.
Tomatoes – finely chopped.
Onion – preferably white onions, thinly sliced.
Spices – Salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, coriander seeds and dried pomegranate seeds (anar dana)
Green Chillies – use freshly chopped green chillies.
Coriander – finely chopped coriander/cilantro for garnish
How to Perfectly Air Fry Bhindi/Okra
- Cut the okra evenly into small sizes, around an inch.
- Spread them around in a single layer, without overcrowding.
- Spray them with the oil.
- Toss and flip them half way through to ensure they cook evenly.
Watch How to Make Air Fryer Bhindi/Okra Masala
Serving Suggestion
My favourite way to eat Bhindi masala is with homemade roti along with some salad and raita.
You can also serve this as a side to vegetarian meal like Daal and rice.
Other Vegetarian Recipes to Try
Baingan Bharta
Punjabi Kadhi Pakora
Chana Masala
Air Fryer Bhindi/Okra Masala
Ingredients
- 500 g Bhindi/Okra – Fresh or Frozen
- 2 Medium Onions ( Sliced)
- 2 Medium Tomatoes Chopped
- 2 Green Chilies Chopped
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- ½ tsp Cumin Seeds
- ½ tsp Coriander Seeds
- 1 tsp Dried Pomegrante Seeds ( Anar Dana)
- ½ tsp Garam Masala
- ¼ tsp Turmeric
- 4 tbsp Oil
- oil Spray
- Coriander/Cilantro for Garnish
Instructions
- If your are using fresh Okra wash them and pat dry to ensure they are thoroughly dry. Remove the top stem and pointed end. Chop the Okra into 1 inch pieces. Put them in the air fryer and spray them with cooking oil spray. For frozen okra, put them in air fryer straight from the freezer, no need to thaw them.
- Air fry them for 15 mins at 180℃. Halfway through toss them to ensure even cooking.
- While Okra is in air fryer prepare masala. In a pan heat oil and add onions. Sautee them on medium heat.
- Add all the spices except garam masala. Mix and cook for a minute. Add chopped tomatoes and green chillies. Stir for couple of minutes and add a dash of water. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-7 minutes.
- Add the air fried bhindi/okra into the masala and mix them. Sprinkle some garam masala over and cover for 5 minutes on low heat.
- Garnish with chopped coriander/cilantro and serve with roti.
