Air Fryer Okra Poppers

Air Fryer Okra Poppers

4.5(9)

Put a Southern twist on classic poppers by using okra instead of jalapeños. These are filled with creamy pimento cheese, wrapped in bacon, and fried to crispy perfection in the air fryer. Serve with tangy homemade remoulade sauce for dipping.

Cook Time
2 hr 40 min
Total Time
3 hr
Yield
3 servings

Ingredients

Okra

  • ½ lb fresh okra (225 g)
  • 2 cups buttermilk (480 mL)
  • ½ teaspoon Louisiana-style hot sauce

Pimiento Cheese Filling

  • 8 oz cheddar cheese (225 g), freshly grated
  • 4 oz cream cheese (110 g), cubed, room temperature
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise (60 g)
  • 4 oz pimiento peppers (110 g), drained and chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne

Remoulade Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise (120 g)
  • 1 tablespoon creole mustard
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • ½ tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ tablespoon green onion, green parts only
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 teaspoons Louisiana-style hot sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon whole grain mustard
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Assembly

  • 1 lb bacon strips (455 g), halved crosswise

How to Make It

1. Step
Cut each okra pod in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard.
2. Step
Arrange the okra, cut-side up, in a shallow glass dish. Pour the buttermilk and hot sauce over the okra. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2–4 hours.
3. Step
While the okra marinates, make the pimento cheese filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimiento peppers, jalapeño, salt, and cayenne. Mix with an electric hand mixer on low-medium speed until well combined, 2–3 minutes. Transfer the filling to a piping bag and refrigerate until ready to use.
4. Step
Make the remoulade sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Creole mustard, lemon juice, parsley, green onions, paprika, cayenne, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, whole grain mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
5. Step
Assemble the poppers: After the okra has marinated, drain and rinse under cold water. Place on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and pat the insides dry.
6. Step
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
7. Step
Cut the tip off of the piping bag with the pimiento cheese filling and pipe the filling into each okra half. Wrap a half-slice of bacon around each okra half, using toothpicks to secure if needed.
8. Step
Working in batches of 5–6 at a time, air fry the okra poppers for 10 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked and crispy.
9. Step
Arrange the okra on a platter and serve with the remoulade sauce alongside.
10. Step
Enjoy!

Tags

McCormick Seasoned ProComfort FoodStuffedMixing BowlAir FryerSnacksWeeknightBig BatchAmericanGame DayLiquid Measuring CupHand MixerWhiskDry Measuring CupsSidesMcCormick Game DayMeasuring Spoons

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