Bharwa Bhindi, which means Stuffed Okra is a popular Indian side dish where the okra is stuffed with spicy & tangy masala filling. This vegan & gluten free dish is a perfect side with Indian roti or paratha, or even great to enjoy as an appetizer.
Wash the bhindi with water and let it air dry. You can spread the bhindi on a kitchen towel to let it air dry. If you are in a hurry, wipe the bhindi with a paper towel to dry them completely.
Cut the tops, and slit each bhindi lengthwise. We still want the bhindi to be joined at one end.
In a bowl, mix all the stuffing spices.
Take one bhindi at a time and stuff it with the spice mix. Repeat with all the slit bhindi. Be generous when filling the bhindi, it is okay with some masala falls out.
Fry in a pan on stovetop
Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Use a pan large enough to fit the bhindi in a single layer.
Place the stuffed bhindi in the pan. Let it heat for couple of minutes, then lower the heat. Cover the pan. Then open and flip the bhindi every 2-3 minutes until they are cooked. This will take about 12-15 minutes.
Cook in air fryer
Place the stuffed okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 360F for 12 mins. Remove the basket at about 8 minutes to flip the okra.
Finishing
Bharwa bhindi is ready to be served. We enjoy it with a generous squeeze of lime juice on top. Serve with hot roti or paratha, or just enjoy it as an appetizer.
Notes
Make sure the okra is completely dry before using, else it can get slimy.
Use a large pan for making stuffed bhindi, so you can arrange the bhindi in a single layer.
Use medium-low heat while making stuffed bhindi, so that it cooks evenly on all sides.