Step 1

Stir together cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a shallow dish. Whisk together egg and water in a separate shallow dish.

Step 2

Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, dip half of the okra in egg mixture; remove okra, letting excess drip off, and transfer to cornmeal mixture, tossing to fully coat. Transfer coated okra to a plate. Repeat process using remaining okra.

Step 3

Lightly coat air fry basket with cooking spray. Add okra to basket in a single layer; coat generously with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown and crispy, 12 to 14 minutes, tossing okra and coating with additional cooking spray halfway through cook time.

Step 4

Remove okra from basket; sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve immediately with barbecue sauce.