Frozen breaded okra, also known as frozen fried green tomatoes, is one of the best vegetables for making healthy snacks or meals.
It is a great option because it can be used in many dishes, from salads to main courses.
What Is Air Fry Frozen Breaded Okra?
Okra has been around for centuries and was originally found in Africa.
Today, it’s cultivated worldwide.
The pods are harvested when they turn bright yellow.
They contain seeds inside them, which are then removed.
The seeds are dried on mats before being sold as dried okra.
Dried okra is packed with nutrients such as fiber, vitamin A, protein, iron, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, riboflavin, niacin, folate, thiamine, magnesium, copper, manganese, potassium, selenium, sodium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
They can be eaten raw or boiled to remove the mucilage (the slimy part) and have a mild flavor. Some people enjoy eating them roasted.
In this article, we will discuss how you can use frozen breaded okra.
You may wonder why you should buy frozen breaded okra instead of fresh ones.
Well, fresh okra needs time to mature while frozen ones do not.
Fresh okra requires more water than frozen ones, so it is important to wash them thoroughly after harvesting.
If you want to know more about air fry frozen breaded okra, keep reading!
We will provide all the necessary information below.
- Freshly picked okra usually looks like small green beans.
- Frozen breaded okra is available year round, but the peak season is May through July.
- Frozen breaded okra contains less moisture compared to fresh ones, thus requiring less cooking time.
- Because it does not need much cooking time, you don’t even need to cut it into slices.
How Is Air Fry Frozen Breaded Okra Made?
This type of frozen breaded okra is usually sold by grocery stores under different names such as “frozen fried green tomatoes” and “fried green tomato slices.”
The name comes from how these veggies were typically prepared before they started being frozen.
They were cut into small pieces, dipped in flour, then rolled around in cornstarch batter before frying them in oil at high temperatures until crispy on both sides.
These days, however, frozen breaded okra is not always made with this traditional method.
Instead, manufacturers may use fresh and/or already-cut veggies when freezing them.
Then, after thawing out, the sliced fruits are coated in batter and fried in preheated oil at low temperatures. Sometimes, additional seasoning may be added to enhance flavor and texture.
The end result is a crunchy, flavorful snack that is perfect for dipping into sauces, soups, or even casseroles.
In order to prepare this tasty treat, you will need some basic kitchen tools like an air fryer, cutting board, knife, measuring cups, mixing bowls, and more.
You should have access to the following items:
- An air fryer with adjustable temperature control
- A cutting board
- A knife
- Measuring cups
- Mixing bowls
- Food thermometer
Step 1 – Preparing your food
First things first, wash all your produce thoroughly.
Use a vegetable brush to remove dirt and debris while rinsing each piece of fruit.
Then, pat dry using paper towels or clean cloths.
Cut off any excess stems and leaves if necessary.
Step 2 – Dipping the frozen breaded okra
Dip the whole slice of okra into a bowl containing enough buttermilk (1 cup) mixed with baking powder (¼ teaspoon).
Let it soak for about 15 minutes before draining completely.
Next, add salt (½ teaspoon), sugar (⅓ tablespoon), garlic powder (½ teaspoon), onion powder (¾ teaspoon), pepper (1 teaspoon), and paprika (½ teaspoon).
Mix well so everything is evenly distributed throughout the entire slice.
Afterwards, dip the whole slice of okra into another bowl full of seasoned flour (about ⅔ cup).
Make sure to coat both sides of the okra slices fully.
Finally, roll the entire slice of okra back and forth through the mixture of buttermilk, baking powder, seasonings, and flour several times.
Be sure to shake off any extra liquid to prevent clumps.
Now, place the soaked and seasoned okra onto a sheet tray lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Allow the okra to rest inside the freezer for at least 30 minutes before placing it into the air fryer basket.
Step 3 – Cooking the frozen breaded okra
Once the okra has been resting, pop it into the air fryer basket along with the other ingredients.
Place it directly over medium heat.
Close the lid and cook for 5 minutes.
Afterward, flip the okra slices over and continue cooking for another 4 to 6 minutes.
Step 4 – Cleanup and serving time!
When the okra is done, open up the air fryer and let it cool down slightly.
Remove the okra slices from the pan using tongs and transfer them to a large bowl filled with ice water.
Continue adding ice cubes until the water reaches room temperature.
Use a slotted spoon to gently lift the okra slices out of the ice bath and drain off any remaining moisture on top of a clean towel.
Pat dry using paper towels or clean cloths.
Serve immediately once dried or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for later consumption.
What Are The Ingredients In Air Fry Frozen Breaded Okra?
The basic ingredient in air fry frozen breaded okra is fresh, whole, unpeeled okra.
The other key ingredient is breadcrumbs, which helps keep the okra crispy while cooking.
Other than those two ingredients, you may add salt and pepper to your liking.
If you have never tried this type of vegetable before, here’s what to expect when using it in recipes.
- It has a mild flavor that pairs well with most types of food.
- You should only buy fresh, whole, unpeeled okra. If they aren’t sold like this, look for them at Asian markets.
- They are available year-round but peak season is April through June.
- Okras are not picky about soil conditions and will grow almost anywhere if given enough sunlight.
- Store them in water until ready to use.
How Does Air Fry Frozen Breaded Okra Taste?
If you’re looking for a tasty vegetable to add to your next meal, then this recipe will offer something different than what most people usually eat.
The secret behind this recipe is using frozen breaded okra instead of fresh cut okra.
When you use frozen breaded okra, you get more bang for your buck, since they have already been breaded and deep-fried.
You only need to thaw them out and toss them into an air fryer basket with some olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
After 15 minutes, you’ll have crispy, flavorful slices of fried okra!
How Do You Cook Air Fry Frozen Breaded Okra?
You can either bake, broil, grill, poach, steam, microwave, or sauté air fry frozen breaded okra.
The most common method for cooking air fry frozen breaded okra is by baking it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 Celsius) for 10 minutes on each side.
You should use this temperature range if your breading has been removed before being placed into the air fryer basket.
If not, then you will want to remove them when they are done so you don’t burn the bottom of the vegetable.
If you find yourself doing this often, consider purchasing an air fryer with baskets instead of using individual bowls and pans.
- Broil – Place the frozen breaded okra directly onto a pan or oven tray lined with aluminum foil. Cook the frozen breaded okra for 6-8 minutes per side until crispy.
- Grill – Remove the frozen breaded okra from the freezer and place it onto a grill rack or grid. Grill the frozen breaded okra for 4-6 minutes per side depending on how hot your grill gets.
- Poach – Take the frozen breaded okra out of the freezer and put it into a pot filled with water. Bring the water up to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Steam – Add a few ice cubes to a bowl large enough to hold all of the frozen breaded okra. Fill the bowl with water. Put the frozen breaded okra into the steaming bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Steam for 3-5 minutes.
- Sauté – Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When it starts to smoke, add the frozen breaded okra and sear until golden brown on both sides.
- Microwave – Use a microwave safe container such as a glass casserole dish or Pyrex measuring cup. Add the frozen breaded okra and fill the container three quarters full with water. Cover the container with a paper towel and microwave for 12 minutes on 100% power.
When choosing which method to use, you need to take into consideration what type of cooker you have available.
For example, microwaving is ideal for those who own a microwave only appliance but may damage other types of food.
Baking is another good choice for people who own a standard oven but would like to save time by skipping the stovetop altogether.
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Air Fry Frozen Breaded Okra?
The nutritional information below refers specifically to air-fried frozen breaded okra.
If you’re looking at other types of frozen breaded okra, check out our article on how to choose your favorite type of frozen breaded okra.
- Calories per serving – 65 calories
- Fat (g) per serving – 0 g
- Sodium (mg) per serving – 15 mg
- Carbohydrates (g) per serving – 7 g
- Protein (g) per serving – 4 g
- Vitamin A (mcg RAE) per serving – 60% of daily recommended allowance (DRA)
- Vitamin C (mg) per serving – 1 mg
- Thiamin (mg) per serving – 0.4 mg
- Riboflavin (mg) per serving – 0.3 mg
- Niacin (mg NEAC) per serving – 2.1 mg
- Vitamin B6 (mg) per serving – 0.5 mg
- Folate (mcg DFE) per serving – 30 mcg
- Calcium (mg) per serving – 28 mg
- Iron (mg) per serving – 3.9 mg
- Zinc (mg) per serving – 1.7 mg
This particular variety of frozen breaded okra has no added sugar or salt and contains only trace amounts of fat.
The vitamin content is very high, with vitamin A being almost twice its daily amount.
This makes it particularly beneficial if you have a strict diet plan but still want something tasty.
You should not eat this product more than once per week, however, since too much of anything isn’t good for you.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Air Fry Frozen Breaded Okra?
Air-fried frozen breaded okra has several nutritional benefits.
The first benefit is that it provides more fiber than other types of okra.
Fiber helps lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes.
Another benefit is that it contains vitamins A and C.
These vitamins help increase your immune system’s ability to fight off infections and prevent colds and flu symptoms.
hey also promote hair growth and skin health.
Finally, this vegetable is low in calories and fat.
In fact, you only need about 5 grams of fat per serving.
Also, each serving has 60 milligrams of potassium which promotes good blood pressure and normal heart function.
All these factors contribute to its health benefits.
This vegetable is also high in antioxidants.
Antioxidants help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
How to cook air fry frozen breaded okra
You will find two different recipes for cooking air fry frozen breaded okra.
One method involves roasting them while they are still frozen.
The second method calls for microwaving them after thawing them out.
- Roast air fry frozen breaded okra – Prepare a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Then place on top of the baking tray some ice cubes. Put the sliced frozen breaded okra into a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper. Mix everything well so that all the slices get coated evenly. Place the coated okra onto the lined baking sheet. Bake at 425 F for 20 minutes. Remove from oven when done and serve immediately.
- Microwave air fry frozen breaded okra – Pour enough water into a medium microwave safe bowl until it covers the bottom half of the bowl. Place the frozen breaded okra inside the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 4 minutes. Carefully take the bowl out of the microwave and drain excess liquid using a slotted spoon or spatula. Serve immediately.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Eating Air Fry Frozen Breaded Okra?
The risk factors associated with consuming foods prepared using food products like frozen breaded okra include salmonella contamination and fecal matter contamination.
However, this type of product has been tested by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) and found to be safe and free of harmful bacteria, such as E-coli and Salmonella.
It should also be noted that these types of products have passed numerous tests conducted by independent laboratories before they were approved for use on store shelves.
This means you don’t need to worry about consuming them if you follow all the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer and do not let children eat them.
What does air frying actually mean?
When you prepare frozen breaded okra in your air fryer, what you are doing is cooking the vegetable inside the appliance without exposing it to heat or oil.
The air fryer cooks the vegetable using hot air, which results in the same effect as deep frying but without the hassle of having to clean up oil spills.
This method of preparing food is ideal when you want to enjoy a crispy exterior while still keeping its nutrients intact.
How Can I Incorporate Air Fry Frozen Breaded Okra Into
If you’re new to using frozen breaded okra, check out our guide on how to cook frozen breaded okra without losing your appetite.
You will find a variety of recipes where this wonderful vegetable can be used, including stir-fry, salad, and even pizza!
In addition, if you have never tried cooking frozen breaded okra before, then here are some tips that will help you get started:
- Do not place more than 2 cups of frozen okra per batch. If you do so, they may thaw too quickly which could cause them to lose their crunchiness.
- When baking, use a convection mode instead of a regular setting.
- Make sure to cover your tray when placing your frozen breaded okras inside. The oil in the air fryer will seep through the packaging and onto the food.
- Always allow your frozen breaded okras to cool completely after cooking
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
Ingredients
- 12 oz bag breaded frozen okra
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Fill the air fryer basket with frozen okra.To avoid stacking the okra on top of one another, spread it apart.
- Spray frozen okra with olive oil prevent the sticking.
- Cook for seven minutes at 400°F.Cook for a further 7-8 minutes at 400 degrees after shaking the basket.
Nutrition
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