This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about the most AMAZING North Carolina Okra Fries!!
I almost jumped for joy when I found the recipe for these okra fries!! These are not just ANY okra fries. These are Chai Pani okra fries. 🙂
In April 2018 we visited Ashville, North Carolina. We stayed in a fantastic VRBO rental, and the host left a booklet with recommendations on things to do and places to eat. One of the recommendations was to dine at Chai Pani, an Indian Street Food restaurant.
We didn't need much convincing to go there as we looove Indian food! The booklet not only recommended going to Chai Pani, but it also said that trying the okra fries was a must. So try them we did!
Now, the entire meal was AMAZING, but the okra fries were a revelation. The Chai Pani menu description is: "Julienned "okra fries" tossed with salt and seasoning, served with a lime wedge. Okra like you've never had it - one of our signature dishes." This description is spot on!
It seems that this recipe for North Carolina Okra Fries comes from the chef's mother. The chef, Meherwan Irani, says that this preparation was the only way that his mother could get him to eat okra. 🙂
I hope you will give this recipe a try! Finally, if you are ever in the Asheville area you MUST visit Chai Pani!
Asheville is a Food Lover's Dream!
If you love food, you will love Asheville! This post will give you some tips on great foodie things to do while visiting! I hope you will get to Asheville soon!
Chai Pani Okra Fries
Ingredients
- 1 lb okra
- 2 qts canola oil for frying
- 1 lime juice of 1 lime
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Julienne the okra (lengthwise) into strips, as if you were making shoestring fries.
- Heat the oil in a deep fat fryer to 350 degrees. Add the okra a little add a time, making sure that the fryer is not too crowded. Turn over the okra for even cooking, and fry for approximately 1 minute, or until the okra fries are brown and crispy, but not dark.
- Remove the okra and place on paper towels, to soak up the oil. Continue frying in batches until all the okra has been fried.
- Remove the okra (after excess oil has been soaked up) and place in a bowl. Mix with the lime juice and salt, adding a little at a time until the taste is just right for you.
Kat
Could you make this with an air fryer?
Grace
Hi Kat thank you so much for your question! I do believe this will work in the air fryer but I haven't personally tested it out yet! I will try it in a few days and let you know! Thanks again! Grace
Grace
Hi Kat, I tested out the okra fries in the air fryer and got a great result! Here's how I did it:
Toss the okra fries with the olive oil.
Add to the air fryer basket, and air fry for 5 minutes at 375F.
Remove the basket and toss the fries around.
Heat for another 5 minutes at 375F.
Your okra fries should be ready! If they are not as crispy as you would like, feel free to air fry them for another minute or so.
Add salt to taste, and squeeze lime juice all over!
If you do give it a try I'd love to know what you think!
Thanks so much and have a great day!