Bharwa Bhindi | Stuffed Okra (Stovetop, Air Fryer)

Bharwa Bhindi (stuffed okra) is a spicy, tangy, lip smacking dish where bhindi (okra) is stuffed with a blend of spices. This popular Indian vegan dish is served with Indian breads such as roti, paratha or naan.

Growing up in India, I remember my mom used to make okra (bhindi), a few times a week. She used to make Bhindi Fry, Masala Bhindi, Aloo Bhindi, bharwa bhindi, and so many other dishes. We all used to enjoy it a lot. It was one of the quickest, and the easiest weeknights dinner, making okra (bhindi). Serve it with some roti, paratha, or kadhi khichdi.

Bharwan bhindi (stuffed okra ), this recipe is all about stuffing. You can use any kind of stuffing you like. I have shared different ways to make the stuffing, please refer to the post later - Variations to Bharwan Bhindi (stuffed okra). Be generous with the stuffing, since all the flavors in this dish mainly come from the bharwa masala (stuffing mix).

I will be making this bharwan bhindi (stuffed okra) using my family's favorite stuffing recipe. Simple, flavorful, lip-smacking bharwa bhindi (stuffed okra). Sharing the traditional, Stovetop recipe as well as the Air Fryer version. Enjoy with some roti, naan, or paratha, or kadhi khichdi.

Jump to:

• Recipe Video - Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)
• What is Bharwa Bhindi?
• About Bharwan Masala (stuffing mix)
• Recipe for Homemade Bharwa Masala
• Prep for Bharwa Bhindi Recipe
• Stovetop Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)
• Air Fryer Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)
• Variations for Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)
• Tips for Best Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)
• How to pick Bhindi (Okra)?
• Pairing Suggestions
• Bharwa Bhindi | Stuffed Okra (Stovetop, Air Fryer)

Recipe Video - Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)

What is Bharwa Bhindi?

Bharwa Masala is a unique blend of different Indian spices, mixed together and used as a stuffing in many of the dishes such as Bharwa Bhindi (stuffed okra), Bharwa Baingan (stuffed eggplant), Bharwa Aloo (stuffed potato), Bharwa Mirch (stuffed chili pepper), etc.

There are many variations to this simple bharwan masala. Stuffing mixes vary across different regions of India. In Gujarat, people like to add some fresh cilantro and some jaggery to their stuffing. In Maharashtra, stuffing is prepared using freshly grated coconut and crushed peanuts. North Indians like to add garam masala, whereas some also prefer chickpea flour (besan) in the stuffing.

About Bharwan Masala (stuffing mix)

There are many ways to prepare the stuffing. You can make stuffing at home, or even buy a ready-made bharwan masala (stuffing mix), easily available in most Indian or Asian supermarkets.

This family favorite bharwa masala (stuffing mix) recipe is simple and flavorful, by far the easiest and most delicious recipe, which can be used in many of the Indian dishes, that call for the stuffing mix (bharwan masala).

One of the reasons I love to make my own stuffing mix (Bharwa Masala) is that, I have full control over the spices. I can add spices to my liking. And that is the best part of it.

This homemade stuffing mix (bharwa masala) has a long shelf life. I just use the stuffing mix (bharwa masala), whenever I am making a stuffed (bharwa) dish.

Pic Shown: Ingredients for Homemade Bharwan Masala

Recipe for Homemade Bharwa Masala

Ingredients:

1. 2 tablespoons coriander powder
2. 2 teaspoons cumin powder
3. 1 teaspoons turmeric
4. 2 teaspoons dry mango powder (amchur), adjust to taste
5. 2 teaspoons red chili powder, adjust to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix all the spices. Store it in an air-tight glass jar. Use it as required.
   • Note: Adjust the spiciness by adding more or less red chili powder.
   • Note: Adjust tanginess by adding more or less dried mango powder.
2. This bharwa masala (stuffing mix) has a long shelf life.

Prep for Bharwa Bhindi Recipe

Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra), is simple, and easy to make, with just one veggie and a few spices, you can make a lip-smacking dish in no time.

Step 1: Wash the okra. Spread okra on a clean kitchen towel and pat dry to absorb any extra moisture.

Step 2: Cut the top of the okra. Make a vertical (lengthwise) slit on each okra, be careful not to cut the okra in half. It will still be intact on the other side.

Pic Shown: Prepping Okra for Bharwa Bhindi

Step 3: Prepare the bharwa masala (stuffing) for the okra. Take a bowl, add all the dry spices - coriander powder, cumin powder, dried mango powder (amchur), red chili powder, turmeric and salt to taste. Mix all the spices until well combined.

Pic Shown: Mixing Bharwan Masala

Step 4: Take a bhindi (okra) and stuff it generously with the prepared stuffing (masala). Repeat the process with the remaining okras. Keep it aside. Save any leftover stuffing (masala) for later use.

Stovetop Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)

Step 1: Heat oil in a kadai or skillet. When oil is hot, add a pinch of asafetida.

Step 2: Carefully, slide all the stuffed okra into the skillet. Add all the leftover stuffing(masala). Let the bhindi (okra) sear for 30-60 seconds on a high heat.

Step 3: Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook. Gently, stir the okra every couple of minutes, until the okra is tender and cooked. It takes around 8-10 minutes for bhindi (okra) to be cooked.

Step 4: Dish out okra in a serving dish. Garnish with some fresh cilantro and freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional). Serve bharwan bhindi recipe (stuffed okra) with Indian breads such as roti, naan, or paratha. Enjoy!

Pic Shown: Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)

Air Fryer Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)

Step 1: Spray the air fryer basket with some cooking oil. 

Step 2: Place the bharwa bhindi (stuffed okra) in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray okra with some cooking oil.

Step 3: Air fry bhindi (okra) at 350F for 10 minutes. Remove the basket and check for the doneness of okra. Note: Different air fryer have different temperature settings. Add 1 to 2 minutes of cooking time if required.

Step 4: Repeat the process for the remaining okra.

Step 5: Dish out okra in a serving dish. Garnish with fresh cilantro and freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional). Serve bharwa bhindi (stuffed okra) with Indian breads - roti, naan, or paratha. Enjoy!

Pic Shown: Air Fryer Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)

Variations for Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)

For the variation for Bharwa Bhindi recipe (stuffed okra), you can add different flavors to the basic stuffing mix (Bharwa Masala), such as:

• Garlic: - add fresh garlic (minced or crushed), or garlic powder
• Peanuts: - add handful of crushed peanuts to the basic bharwa masala
• Coconut: - freshly grated or dry desiccated coconut can be added to the stuffing mix.
• Roasted Besan (Chickpeas Flour): - roast around 2 tablespoons of besan (chickpeas flour), mix it with the basic bharwa masala (stuffing mix) and use it as a stuffing.
• Combination of Flavors: You can use one or a combination of the above ingredients for the stuffing, such as - roasted besan & garlic, roasted besan, garlic, & peanuts, or roasted besan & coconut.

Tips for Best Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)

The star ingredient of this recipe is bhindi (okra), pick the fresh, young okra for the best results. See the post later for - How to pick Bhindi (Okra)?

It is important to completely dry the okra before using. Moisture in okra makes it slimy. You can let the okra air dry for 15-30 minutes in a colander or pat dry okra using a clean kitchen towel.

Trim the top part of the Okra only. You can leave the bottom part of the okra intact, it is edible.

Carefully make a vertical slit in the okra, without splitting the okra into two pieces.

Use a wide bottom pan, to fit okra in a single layer for even cooking. 

Be generous with the stuffing mix (Bharwa Masala) when stuffing, since the okra gets all its flavor from this spice mix only.

Cook the stuffed okra (Bharwa Bhindi), for the first 30-60 seconds on a high heat. This will give a nice char flavor to the dish. Later reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until okra is tender and cooked.

Gently, toss the okra a couple of times for even cooking. It takes around 8-10 minutes for okra to be cooked.

You can adjust the spiciness my adding more or less red chili powder.

To adjust the tanginess, add more or less dried mango powder (amchur).

How to pick Bhindi (Okra)?

Okra comes in many sizes. From long, and slender to short and thick. When it comes to picking okra, I look for fresh, young okra that is bright in green color and has no black or brown spots. I prefer short or medium and thick okra. These are usually the best kind. They are not woody and also have smaller seeds as compared to the long, slender okra.

Young okra is around 2-3 inches tall, whereas mature okra is more than 3 inches tall. Look for young okra, it tastes great and has smaller seeds too. Fresh okra stays good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. 

Pairing Suggestions