This air-fried okras in yogurt also known as Vendakkai pachadi or Okra raita is the best side for a spicy main course. Air frying the okras makes it very healthy and the yogurt makes it very refreshing.
This Vendakkai Pachadi is a very simple recipe which is very close to my heart. I love this pachadi whenever my mother used to make it.
This Air fried Okra Raita is so flavorful that you will keep coming back for more. The crunch of the fried okras makes all the difference. I have been pan-frying the thinly sliced okra until I started making it in the air fryer.
Can I use Air Fryer to make this recipe?
I made this vendakkai pachadi for the first time in the air fryer and I will never make it any other way. The traditional recipe is deep fried and I had adapted to pan frying it to make it a little healthy.
Now that I used the air fryer, it cannot get healthier than this. Uses just a little oil to coat the sliced okras and that is pretty much it. Also using the air fryer is very less time-consuming and literally needs no hands-on time. Just open the fryer and shake it once in a while and we are done.
Sliminess is what scares and keeps many from trying okra recipes. This air-fried okra in yogurt is just the perfect way to get over the fear. There is absolutely no sliminess in this recipe.
What to serve this okra raita
Vendakkai pachadi is crunchy and very light. The yogurt makes the dish very cooling and hence this raita pairs up very well with any prepared rice like Tomato rice, tamarind rice, or Sesame rice. This Okra pachadi is a perfect contrast with spicy rice dishes. It also goes well with Biriyani and Pulao’s.
It is also one of my favorite recipes to pair with Vathal Kuzhambu. And that is exactly what I made for lunch today.
Our backyard garden is blessing us with an abundance of okras. After we harvested some fresh okra this morning, I immediately thought of my mother. That is when I decided to make this Venadakkai pachadi.
Ingredients needed
We just need a handful of ingredients to make this Air fried Okra Raita.
Fresh produce - Okra is the only fresh produce we need.
Yogurt is another main ingredient. Make sure that you use fresh yogurt that is not sour for this Vendakkai Pachadi recipe. Check this post to make fresh Homemade Yogurt.
Spices - we need mustard seeds, red chilies, and asafetida to temper our pachadi. Apart from this, we need salt to taste and a little oil.
How to make Okra Raita
Wash and clean the okras. Now slice them really thin. This is very important since this ensures even and quick frying.
Preheat the air fryer to 350 F for about 2 minutes.
In the meantime, coat the sliced okras with oil and sprinkle the salt needed.
Place it in the air fryer basket and set it for 15 minutes.
Now all we need to do is shake the basket and move the sliced okras every 5 minutes. Depending on how thin or thick you sliced the okras, they should be fried in about 15 minutes or so.
Whisk the yogurt in the meantime and add the salt needed. Remember we already added salt to okra. So just add enough for the yogurt.
Temper with mustard seeds, red chilies, and asafetida and add it to the yogurt.
Add the fried okra to the yogurt mixture just before serving.
Expert Tips and FAQs
- Always wash and dry the okra very well before chopping. This helps in reducing sliminess.
- Slice the okra into thin and uniform slices. This helps in even cooking the okras.
- Add the fried okra to the yogurt just before serving to keep the crunchy texture.
- If you are looking to pan-fry the okra, add about 2 tablespoon of oil in a wide pan. Saute / fry the sliced okra on low to medium flame until crunchy. Drain the okra in a paper towel-lined bowl and then proceed with the recipe.
Rice Recipes That Go With This Raita
Flatbreads That Go With This Raita
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Recipe
Vendakkai Pachadi | Air-fried Okra Raita | Fried okras in yogurt
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 20 Vendakkai /Okra cut into very thin slices
- 2 cups Yogurt whisked
- to taste Salt
- 2 teaspoon Oil
- ½ teaspoon Mustard seeds
- 2 Red chilies
- ¼ teaspoon Asafetida
Instructions
- Wash and clean the okras. Now slice them really thin. This is very important since this ensures even and quick frying.
- Preheat the air fryer at 350 F for about 2 minutes.
- In the meantime, coat the sliced okras with oil and sprinkle salt needed.
- Place it in the air fryer basket and set it to 15 minutes.
- Now all we need to do is shake the basket and move the sliced okras every 5 minutes. Depending on how thin or thick you sliced the okras, it should be fried in about 15 minutes or so.
- Whisk the yogurt in the meantime and add salt needed. Remember we already added salt to okra. So just add enough for the yogurt.
- Temper with mustard seeds, red chilies and asafetida and add it to the yogurt.
- Add the fried okras to the yogurt mixture just before serving.
Notes
- Always wash and dry the okras very well before chopping. This helps in reducing the sliminess.
- Slice the okras into thin and uniform slices. This helps in even cooking of the okras.
- Add the fried okras in the yogurt just before serving to keep the crunchy texture.
Lathiya says
This is some nice and refreshing raita. I never tried Okra raita but this sounds great.
sapana says
I love okra with dahi and chapatis. So I know for sure that this pachadi is going to be my favorite too. Love the idea of frying them in air fryer.
Padma Veeranki says
Okra is my favourite vegetable and this pachadi looks so delicious. Use of air fryer has made it healthier....good to go with any meal...but, I can just eat it on its own!!
Priya Srinivasan says
Oh my god sandhya, wish i could take that bowl of raita from your pic! This is a classic pachadi and definitely my favorite! Using airfryer is definitely a plus!
Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says
Okra raita, one of this dish I have to try so soon as I totally forgot we used to consume in India a lot. Now that air fryer is my companion in the kitchen..this dish will too. Such a amazing and delicious recipe.
Amrita Roy says
Use of air fryer has made vendakkai pachadi healthier and it helps to reduce the consumption of extra oil.. good to pair with any meal
Uma Srinivas says
Such a simple and nutritious recipe. I use to make and eat this often, after vegan I almost forgot this recipe...thanks for reminding me 🙂
archana says
Awesome I have some bhindi and was wondering how to use them in a different way. Love the hairdryer tip! Some thing that never occurred to me to use. Thanks.
Mayuri Patel says
So delicious! Whenever I make dry okra sabji I always add yogurt to it. However, never thought of making a raita. Its a dish that I can have on its own. Healthy too as you've air fried the okra.
Lata Lala says
Here comes a new version of raita from youe treasure Sandhya. Airfried makes it for a good choice. Never heard of this before, but will try for sure.
Pavani says
I am drooling just looking at this simple and absolutely delicious okra raita. Using the air fryer is such a great idea to make this a health version.
Bless my food by Payal says
Okra in a raita is totally a new and genius idea. The dish looks absolutely awesome and delicious.
Swasthi Blank says
Thanks for this idea Sandhya! bhindi Raita sounds really interesting for me. need no rice , can just eat up by itself
shasan18 says
Thanks Swasthi! That is exactly what i do with the left over raita (if at all there is leftover:)
Janani says
I love raitas all kinds of raita and this is my fav. Now I am hungry!
!!!!
maha says
what lovely and yummy raita:)
Love the pictures!!
shasan18 says
Thanks Maha!
Sangeetha Priya says
wow wonderful pachadi, i never tried okra in pachadi, will try it soon dear!!!
shasan18 says
Thanks Sangeetha! Do try it and let me know how you liked it 🙂
Divya Pramil says
Wow that looks so delicious I can guess its taste now 🙂
shasan18 says
Thanks Divya!