Dehydrating Okra (with an Okra Snack Recipe) (2024)

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ByJeanie Rose|Okra

Aug11

Are you exploring the world of dehydrated vegetables? Many gardeners are these days, including me. This is fairly new territory, but one that is expanding quickly for two reasons: (1) Health foodies are discovering the joy of seasoned veggie chips made in the oven or the dehydrator. (2) Seasoned gardeners are expanding their gardens in response to food prices. This leads to an over-loaded freezer and shelves for canned goods. More dehydrating is an answer to the dilemma.

About okra: It does dehydrate well.

Dehydrating Okra Steps

  1. Slice the okra into rounds as you would for frying.
  2. Lay it out in single layers on the dehydrating shelves.
  3. Dehydrate until crisp, about 24 hours. Set the heat at 130 (if possible) and set the timer for 24 hours. From the 24 hour point your okra may need more time. Check it every couple of hours and continue until the pods are crispy. The okra shrivels into tiny circles, a bit shocking at first because they are so small. You never think of okra having that much moisture in it.
  4. After the okra is dried, I recommend placing it in a freezer bag and freezing for a couple of days to kill off any organisms sensitive to cold that could have survived the warmth of the dehydrator. This little trick is probably more important for those food items that are sun-dried, like fruit and tomatoes. Regardless, I have used this method for years and have had no problem with bugs getting started in my jars of dried food.
  5. After a couple of days in the freezer, transfer the dried okra to a container with a tight-fighting lid. I prefer glass. It’s so satisfying to gaze on a shelf of glass jars filled with various dried foods.

Seasoned Okra Snack

Search online and you will realize how many are using whole okra pods to dehydrate into snack food. This may be just right for you. I would have crossed this snack off the list because of the texture — it is a bit tough. But my three-year-old grandson kept getting into the dehydrator. He ate half the okra pods before they were entirely dry. Give it a try. Dried seasoned okra may be just the snack for you.

The seasoning I used is one I found online, a Cajun mix that we are loving.

Seasoned Okra Ingredients

  • 2 pounds young okra
  • 1 T. Paprika
  • 1 T. Salt
  • 1 T. Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 T. Black Pepper
  • 1/2 T. Onion Powder
  • 1/2 T. Cayenne Pepper
  • 1/2 T. Dried Leaf Oregano
  • 1/2 T. Dried Thyme
  • 2-3 tablespoon olive oil

Seasoned Okra Steps

  1. Wash the okra pods. Leave on the tips and the stems, spread out the okra to thoroughly dry before proceeding.
  2. Mix your seasonings in a bowl. This will be more than you want to use on the okra. However, once you smell this mix, you will be trying it on everything from avocado to zucchini. Store any leftover mix in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and keep it handy.
  3. Drizzle the olive oil over the dried okra pods and sprinkle with cajun seasoning. Season as heavily as you think you and yours will appreciate. A tablespoon or two should do it.
  4. Spread the okra pods on the dehydrator sheet, not touching one another. You want plenty of room for the warm air to circulate.
  5. Set the heat at 130 and set the timer for 24 hours. From the 24 hour point your okra may need more time. Check it every couple of hours and continue until the pods are crispy.

Dehydrating Okra (with an Okra Snack Recipe) (5)

Dehydrated Okra

Dehydrating Okra (with an Okra Snack Recipe) (6)Jeanie Rose

Okra dehydrates well with these simple steps.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 1 d

Total Time 1 d 15 mins

Ingredients

  • 12 pods okra

Instructions

  • Slice the okra into rounds as you would for frying.

  • Lay it out in single layers on the dehydrating shelves.

  • Dehydrate until crisp, about 24 hours. Set the heat at 130 (if possible) and set the timer for 24 hours.

  • Check the okra every couple of hours and continue until the pods are crispy.

  • Freeze the okra for a couple of days before storing.

  • Transfer dried and frozen okra to a jar with a tight-fitting lid for long-term storage.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

3.5 49 votes

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Dehydrating Okra (with an Okra Snack Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

How to dehydrate okra for snacks? ›

Arrange okra in single layers on drying trays. Dry at 140 degrees F (60°C) in an oven or dehydrator. If necessary, turn large pieces over every 3 to 4 hours during the drying period. Vegetables can scorch easily toward the end of drying, so monitor more closely as drying nears completion.

Do you season okra before dehydrating? ›

With dried okra, you add the seasonings before beginning the drying process. This involves tossing the okra in olive oil or a neutral oil and the seasoning mix of your choice. Options might include Kosher salt and black pepper, Cajun seasoning, or garam masala.

Is dried okra a healthy snack? ›

Okra is a good source of magnesium, folate, and vitamins B6, C, and K. It's also rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and isoquercitrin, which may provide anti-fatigue, cholesterol-lowering, antitumor, and slowed muscle loss benefits.

What are the best vegetables to dehydrate for snacks? ›

The best vegetables to dehydrate include carrots, corn, mushrooms, okra, onions, peppers, and tomatoes. Beets, potatoes, meaty zucchini cultivars (such as 'Tromboncino'), cherry tomatoes, celery, leeks, green peas, cabbage, and turnips also dehydrate well.

What not to do when dehydrating food? ›

Therefore, avoid drying foods like peanut butter or avocados and be sure to trim meat to remove any fat before dehydrating. While nonfat dairy products can technically be dehydrated, it's not recommended and may be associated with a higher risk of foodborne illness.

What is the best season to eat okra? ›

Its prime season begins in June and July. Slender and green, okra pods grow to about 3 to 4 inches when mature. Some varieties can grow up to 9 inches, but okra tastes better when it's smaller. These pods have a soft skin and round white seeds inside -- you can eat both the skin and seeds.

Should vegetables be cooked before dehydrating? ›

Most food can be dehydrated at home, with the general exclusion of dairy products and high-fat items. Unlike fruit, meat and most vegetables should be cooked first before dehydrating. Once you have a variety of dried ingredients, you can assemble them into meals.

Why do you put baking soda in okra? ›

Adding baking soda into a pot of okra soup halfway into cooking will yield a mucilaginous (drawy) texture.

Why do you put vinegar in okra? ›

A vinegar bath also does wonders to reduce the slimy consistency. Before cooking, soak the pods in vinegar for 30 minutes to help break up and dissolve the slime. Pat the pods completely dry before cooking.

What is the effect of drying okra? ›

This study showed that the effect of the drying methods resulted in an increase in nutrient thereby making dried okra nutritious. The oven dried samples shows low microbial count and makes it safer for human consumption.

Does okra dehydrate well? ›

Dehydration also transforms the hollow pod into an unexpectedly airy and crunchy treat with an unbeatable garden taste. Tossed with olive oil, salt and a little cayenne pepper, dried okra is an unusual bar snack that may not be pretty, but is hard to resist once you've tried it.

What does okra do to your body? ›

Okra is low in calories but packed full of nutrients. The vitamin C in okra helps support healthy immune function. Okra is also rich in vitamin K, which helps your body clot blood. Antioxidants are natural compounds that help your body fight off molecules called free radicals that can damage cells.

What does drinking okra water before bed do? ›

Okra water is an infused beverage made by soaking okra pods in water overnight. The drink is thought to offer health benefits like reducing blood sugar levels, supporting weight loss, and improving digestion.

How do you dehydrate fruit for snacks? ›

Follow these steps for the best results:
  1. Preheat the dehydrator to 55°C.
  2. Slice the fruit evenly (see notes below).
  3. Place the slices in a single layer on each tray of the dehydrator.
  4. Dehydrate for 4-6 hours, flipping the fruit every 1-2 hours to prevent sticking and promote even drying.
Jun 27, 2023

How do you make dried okra powder? ›

A preparation method for okra fruit powder, this preparation method comprises the following steps: A, okra drying and crushing: will clean okra hour pulverizing after 55o ~ 65o drying 10 ~ 14 of drying; B, enzymolysis: the okra after pulverizing and deionized water are added deionized water in the ratio of 1g:80mL, ...

How do you dry okra to save seeds? ›

For okra seed harvesting, the seed pods must dry on the vine and beginning to crack or split. At that point, you can remove the pods and split or twist them. The seeds will come out easily, so keep a bowl nearby. Since no fleshy vegetable matter clings to the seeds, you don't need to wash them.

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