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Fried Okra - one of the best okra recipes ever featuring cut okra coated in cornmeal and flour to make crispy and crunchy okras. A summer favorite!
Southern Fried Okra Recipe
Okra is my favorite vegetable ever. I love the hairy pod, the gooey slime and the soft texture. My family used to grow okra plant in our garden.
I especially love crispy Southern fried okra. They are so crunchy, addictive and the okra has no slime! It’s such a great appetizer, I just can’t stop eating.
How To Fry Okra
In California, Okra is in season starting in June, so I got myself some okras and made them into these crunchy nuggets. Now, how to fry okra? It’s very easy and involves a few simple steps:
- Remove the cap and bottom tip of the okra and cut the pods into small pieces.
- Add the okras to buttermilk.
- Coat the okras with a dry all-purpose flour and cornmeal batter (mixture).
- Deep fry in vegetable oil until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain the excess oil on paper towels and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes you can and the end result tastes exactly the same. You can use air fryer to fry the okra after coating with the all-purpose flour and cornmeal mixture. Just add 1 tablespoon of oil to your air fryer before air frying.
Okra has a mild flavor that many say tastes similar to eggplant, but the texture is more fibrous and tender. Additionally, the vegetable has a slime that will make it have a silky texture.
It is pretty low in calories has a high fiber content. It has also been proven to help with blood sugar and cholesterol, making okra good for you.
This fried okra recipe is only 183 calories per serving, with 35g of carbs.
What To Serve With Crispy Fried Okra
This meal is best served as an appetizer and goes well with a main dish. For a Southern style wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Other Recipes You Might Like
Crispy Fried Okra
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb (250g) okra
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 dashes ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- oil, for deep frying
Instructions
- Trim off the cap and tip of the okra, then cut it into small pieces.
- Combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, smoked paprika, and ground black pepper in a bowl, then stir to mix well.
- Add the buttermilk to a bowl. Working in batches, dip the okra into the buttermilk, then coat it with the flour mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Heat a saucepan or frying pan with 2 inches (5 cm) of oil. Deep-fry the okra in batches until crispy and golden brown. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with a dipping sauce, such as spicy Ranch (simply add Sriracha to the Ranch).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
For those that are needing suggestions because their batter falls off: Coat the okra in the dry mixture first, then toss around in the buttermilk, then BACK into the dry mixture to coat again. That creates the adhesion while frying and your batter won’t fall off. So it’s dry, wet, dry, fry. I hope that helps.
Thanks for your suggestion!
Delicious recipe!
Thanks Joyce!
Can cornmeal be substituted?
Yes, corn flour or breadcrumbs work, but most flours and oats as well.
My batter falls off when I cook it. What am I doing wrong?
These came out crispy and delicious! Thanks p
??
Can I use my air fryer instead of frying them in oil?
You can try!
I only have access to frozen Okra. Is that okay to use?
I don’t think the texture will be good.
Gonna try tonight! Love fried okra, my Daddy was from Georgia, so kind of grew up with it! {That and grits lol) many here in Calif think its disgusting, but just haven’t had it prepared the right way!
This looks like My ol’ Dads, I’m sure he is looking down and smiling!
Thanks
That’s awesome!
Thanks for the recipe. The note about the buttermilk helped ALOT! I use lactose-free milk in my baking and frying. It turned out fantastic!
Yay!