Bharwa Bhindi masala recipe is a popular Indian side dish prepared by stuffing okra with peanut and dry spice powders. Bharwa means stuffed and bhindi means okra in Hindi. Vegan, Gluten-free, Low Carb/Keto-friendly. Air-fryer and stovetop pan instructions included for bharwa bhindi.
Bharwa Bhindi or Bhendi is a moderately spicy and delicious dry bhindi recipe that's prepared in a lot of Indian households for lunch/dinner, generally served as a side dish with roti, chapati, or steamed rice.
Bharwa or the stuffing is the most important part of this recipe. There are many variations to prepare the stuffing. Today I am sharing bharwa bhindi masala recipe with peanut and spice powders.
Make sure to dry roast the peanuts first and then powder them coarsely. You can also make this powder ahead and use it when needed. Refrigerate it for longer shelf life. Then powdered peanuts are combined with Indian dry spices and filled inside the okra and cooked.
You may also use roasted besan (gram flour) or dry coconut/desiccated coconut instead of powdered peanut in this bharwa bhindi recipe. Some people also make it with just a mixture of dry spice powders.
This bharwa bhindi is a low-carb and keto-friendly recipe. If you are on a Keto or Low Carb Diet then checkout Keto Indian Food Recipes Collection.
What is Okra?
Okra is a flowering plant that is known in many parts of the world as ladyfinger or bhindi, is highly prized because of its seed pods. While its origin is still unclear, research says that it could have been native of South Asian, West African, or Ethiopian but the jury is still out. (source).
Health Benefits of Okra?
- Okra is rich in many nutrients and particularly high in vitamins C and K. This fruit is unique, as it provides protein, a nutrient that many other fruits and vegetables lack. (source)
- Okra is rich in antioxidants that may reduce your risk of serious diseases, prevent inflammation, and contribute to overall health. (source)
- Eating okra has been linked to blood sugar control. (source)
How to Make Bharwa Bhindi in Air Fryer
Firstly, rinse bhindi and pat them dry with a clean towel. Cut the top and bottom part of the bhindi. Slit in between.
For making the masala for stuffing. Take a small bowl, add roasted peanut powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, amchur powder, fennel seeds powder, and salt. Mix well.
Next, add a tablespoon of oil and combine well. Oil is added to help spices stick to the bhindi when stuffed.
Stuff the prepared masala in the bhindi and keep it aside. Remove the large seeds from bhindi before stuffing if required.
Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Add the stuffed okra to the air fryer basket and spread them in a single layer (cook in batches if required). Slightly brush or spray some oil on top.
Air fryer them at 360°F (180°C) for 10-12 minutes. Remove the basket at about 8 minutes and flip the bhindi. Brush some oil if you feel stuffed okra is dry.
Serve Air Fryer Bharwa bhindi masala hot with steamed rice or roti.
Stovetop Pan Method
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan on medium heat. Place the stuffed okra with stuffed side facing up in a single layer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes. After 2-3 minutes, cover and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on low flame.
- Then open the cover, gently flip the bhindi. Cover and cook from all sides for 5 to 6 minutes until it's tender and done.
What to serve with Bharwa Bhindi?
Serve Bharwa Bhindi as a side dish with roti, chapati, jeera rice, or steamed rice.
Tips For Making Bharwa Bhindi Recipe
- Choose fresh and tender okra to make this recipe.
- Make sure dry the okra completely with kitchen towel otherwise it turn slimy while cooking.
- Make sure to spread the stuffed okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket leaving some space between each other. Cook in batches if needed.
- Its important to cook stuffed bhindi on medium low flame for even cooking of bhindi on all sides.
- Adjust the spices according to your preference.
Variations With Bharwa Bhindi
- You can replace powdered peanut with dried coconut or unsweetened desiccated coconut along with dry spice powders for the stuffing. Or use a combination of coconut and peanut powder.
- You can also replace roasted peanut powder with besan (gram flour). You can roast besan on low flame till fragrant before adding.
- Some people also use only dry spice powders for stuffing.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)
Equipment
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml
- 230 grams okra (about 20-22)
- 2 tablespoons oil (1-2 teaspoons for air frying)
Stuffing Masala
- 3 tablespoons roasted peanut powder
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon amchur powder
- ½ teaspoon fennel powder optional
- salt to taste
- 2 teaspoons oil
Instructions
- Firstly, rinse bhindi and pat them dry with a clean towel. Cut the top and bottom part of the bhindi. Slit in between.
- For making the masala for stuffing. Take a small bowl, add roasted peanut powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, amchur powder, fennel seeds powder, and salt. Mix well.Next, add a tablespoon of oil and combine well. Oil is added to help spices stick to the bhindi when stuffed.
- Stuff the prepared masala in the bhindi and keep it aside. Remove the large seeds from bhindi before stuffing if required.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Add the stuffed okra to the air fryer basket and spread them in a single layer (cook in batches if required). Slightly brush or spray some oil on top.
- Air fryer them at 360°F (180°C) for 10-12 minutes. Remove the basket at about 8 minutes and flip the bhindi. Brush some oil if you feel stuffed okra is dry.
- Bharwa bhindi is ready to be served.
Stovetop Pan Method
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan on medium heat. Place the stuffed okra with stuffed side facing up in a single layer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes. After 2-3 minutes, cover and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on low flame.
- Then open the cover, gently flip the bhindi. Cover and cook from all sides for 5 to 6 minutes until it's tender and done.
Notes
Tips For Making Bharwa Bhindi
- Choose fresh and tender okra to make this recipe.
- Make sure dry the okra completely with kitchen towel otherwise it turn slimy while cooking.
- Make sure to spread the stuffed okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket leaving some space between each other. Cook in batches if needed.
- Its important to cook stuffed bhindi on medium low flame for even cooking of bhindi on all sides.
- Adjust the spices according to your preference.
Variations With Bharwa Bhindi
- You can replace powdered peanut with dried coconut or unsweetened desiccated coconut along with dry spice powders for the stuffing. Or use a combination of coconut and peanut powder.
- You can also replace roasted peanut powder with besan (gram flour). You can roast besan on low flame till fragrant before adding.
- Some people also use only dry spice powders for stuffing.
Nutrition
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