This air fryer kurkuri bhindi is perfect for easy cooking and even easier eating! It’s a game changer, made with pantry staples and hardly any oil. And it tastes even better than when you deep fry it in oil. Serve it as an appetiser, snack or even for lunch along with some dal and roti.
Wash all the bhindi and pat dry on a kitchen towel. Snip off both ends and slice each bhindi into 4 lengths to get thin shards.
Preheat Air Fryer to 200 C.
In a bowl, mix besan, cornflour, cumin powder, chilli powder, ginger garlic paste, oil and lemon juice to make a smooth paste. Add the bhindi to this and toss with your hands till the paste coats the bhindi.
Brush or spray some oil on the air fryer basket. Spread all the bhindi out on the air fryer basket. Spread it out as much as possible, do not crowd the basket and try not to layer the bhindi. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do this in batches.
Brush or spray with some of the oil, and bake in the air fryer at 170C for 13 minutes, tossing once in between.
Brush with more oil, toss and bake again for 3 minutes at 190C till they are crisp and golden brown. Keep a close eye on the bhindi at this point, and be open to checking in between. Depending on the capacity of your air fryer, the time it takes to cook may vary. Do not let it overcook or burn.
Take the air fryer basket out and let it rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chaat masala. Serve as a side dish or as an appetiser.
Notes
Tips for making the best Air Fryer Kurkuri Bhindi:
After washing the bhindi, always pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel to soak away any excess moisture. You can also allow it to air dry for about 10 minutes to make sure the bhindi is nice and dry.
Cut the bhindi in thin, long slivers. The thinner the bhindi, the crispier it will turn out.
Wipe your knife with a kitchen towel if it gets sticky while cutting the bhindi.
When adding the okra to the air fryer, make sure to add the okra in a single line with enough space in between. Overcrowding the tray will lead to soggy results.
Turn the okra around halfway through the cooking process to make sure everything gets nicely cooked on all sides.