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 crispy bharwa bhindi.
Bharwa Bhindi or Bhendi is a moderately spicy, healthy, and delicious dry bhindi recipe prepared in many 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 preparing the filling. 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 of time and use it when needed. First, refrigerate it for longer shelf life. Then powdered peanuts are combined with Indian dry spices, 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 bhindi bharwa recipe. Some people also make it with just a mixture of dry spice powders.
I used my Instant Vortex Plus 6 Quart Air Fryer for this recipe. I love this because you can get the food in a single layer all at once, and dinner is ready in 30 minutes or less. Any air fryer brand like Cosori 5.8QT, Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven, Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Duo Crisp works here.
This Bharwa Bhindi ki sabji is a low-carb and keto-friendly recipe. If you are on a Keto or Low Carb Diet, then check out Keto Indian Food Recipes Collection.
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What is Okra?
Okra is a flowering plant known in many parts of the world as lady finger or bhindi, it is highly prized because of its seed pods. While its origin is still unclear, research says it could have been native 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)
Bharwa Bhindi Ingredients
- Okra (ladies finger): use fresh, tender green okra.
- Roasted peanut powder: I firstly dry roast the peanuts at home in an air fryer or pan and then powder them coarsely.
- Spices: coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, amchur powder, fennel powder.
- Oil: olive oil or any cooking oil.
How to Make Bharwa Bhindi in Air Fryer
Firstly, rinse bhindi and pat them dry with a clean towel. Next, cut the top and bottom parts 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 for 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 the 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, and 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 basmati rice.
Tips For Making Bharwa Bhindi Recipe
- Choose Fresh Okra: Choose fresh and tender okra to make this recipe.
- Remove excess moisture: Make sure to pat dry the okra completely with a kitchen towel otherwise, it turns slimy while cooking.
- Cook in batches: 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. For the stovetop version, It's important to cook stuffed bhindi on medium-low flame for even cooking of bhindi on all sides.
- Spices: Adjust the spices according to your preference.
Variations With Bharwa Bhindi
- Bharwa Bhindi with Coconut: You can replace powdered peanuts with dried coconut or unsweetened desiccated coconut, along with dry spice powders for the stuffing. Or use a combination of coconut and peanut powder.
- Bharwa Bhindi with Besan: You can also make Bharwa Bhindi with besan by replacing 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.
Recipe FAQs
Bhindi contains high amounts of vitamin K, folate, and iron, hence Bharwa Bhindi is healthy.
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Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)
Ingredients
- 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 Recipe
- Choose Fresh Okra: Choose fresh and tender okra to make this recipe.
- Remove excess moisture: Make sure to pat dry the okra completely with a kitchen towel otherwise, it turns slimy while cooking.
- Cook in batches: 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. For the stovetop version, It's important to cook stuffed bhindi on medium-low flame for even cooking of bhindi on all sides.
- Spices: Adjust the spices according to your preference.
Variations With Bharwa Bhindi
- Bharwa Bhindi with Coconut: You can replace powdered peanuts with dried coconut or unsweetened desiccated coconut, along with dry spice powders for the stuffing. Or use a combination of coconut and peanut powder.
- Bharwa Bhindi with Besan: You can also make Bharwa Bhindi with besan by replacing 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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Elaine says
I searched online for roasted peanut powder and the most common result is peanut butter powder. Is this the same thing? If not, do you think it would be ok to use in this recipe? I love okra and your recipes so I'd love to try this!
Bhavana Patil says
Hi Elaine, roasted peanut powder and peanut butter powder are different.
If you have store-bought roasted peanuts, just grind/blend them in a spice jar to a smooth powder.
I also get raw peanuts from the grocery store and roast them in air fryer (recipe on my blog) or roast on a pan till golden brown.
You could also substitute peanut powder with roasted chickpea flour (or besan)..You can also replace with almond flour/meal.
Hope this helps, I hope you try this recipe and let me know how it turned out.
Elaine says
Thank you!