Easy Fried Okra Recipe

My latest culinary obsession is fried okra! I know some of you might be skeptical about this Southern classic, but trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked.

Fresh okra is sliced into perfect little rounds. It’s coated in a light, crispy batter, and fried until golden brown. The result is crunchy, savory bites of pure joy!

I recently whipped up a batch at home, and my kitchen smelled like heaven.

The best part about fried okra is its versatility. It pairs perfectly with any Southern-inspired meal, from gumbo to barbecue. Of course, I could easily devour an entire plate as a meal.

So, get that oil nice and hot, and whip up this amazing fried okra!

Ingredients for Fried Okra 

If you have fresh okra ready, you’re almost in business! All you need to do is gather a few pantry staples and raid the spice rack. Here’s everything you need for this fried okra recipe:

• Fresh okra – The key to tasty okra is freshness. The fresher it is, the better it tastes. Fresh okra is bright green and firm. Start with fresh okra that’s trimmed and remove those stem ends. 

• Buttermilk – This is a Southern recipe, so you better believe there’s buttermilk! It adds a wonderful pop of tang that goes great with the earthy notes of okra. 

• Eggs – Room-temperature eggs help the cornmeal get into all those nooks and crannies. 

• All-purpose flour – Adding flour to your cornmeal mixture yields a finer consistency for better frying. 

• Yellow cornmeal – Yellow cornmeal works two jobs in this recipe. It delivers a subtle sweetness and gives the okra its fantastic crunch. It’s just not the same without it. 

• Spices – For this spice blend, you’ll need paprika, garlic, pepper, and salt. If you’re feeling a little spicy, you can also add some cayenne pepper for a kick of heat.

• Vegetable oil – Vegetable oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, which makes it perfect for fried veggies. You can also opt for other high smoke point oils like peanut, canola, or avocado oil. 

How to Make Fried Okra 

There are a few steps to this recipe, but it’s so easy! Here’s what to do:

1. Prepare the okra. Thoroughly wash it, and then trim and cut it into 1/2-inch rounds. Set aside. 

2. Soak. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk and eggs. Then, add the okra rounds and soak them for about 10 minutes. 

3. Combine the dry ingredients. In another bowl, add the flour, cornmeal, garlic, paprika, black pepper, salt, and optional cayenne pepper. Stir to combine, and set aside. 

4. Get the oil ready. Heat a deep skillet with oil and bring it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

5. Coat the okra. Remove each piece of okra from the milk bath, and dredge in the cornmeal mixture. Repeat with the remaining okra. 

6. Get frying! Very carefully, place each okra round into the hot oil, ensuring you don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until it’s golden brown. 

7. Drain and serve. Carefully remove the cooked okra from oil, and drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle with a little salt, serve, and enjoy!

Tips for Success

One batch of slimy okra, and it’s game over. So, I’ve collected a few handy tips and tricks to ensure it’s crispy, crunchy, and a new family favorite. 

• Get out the frying thermometer. The temperature of the oil is so very important! Too hot, and your okra will taste bitter, but too cool and it will be mushy. Use a frying thermometer to achieve that perfect temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

• Just keep stirring! Stirring the okra in the oil prevents the pieces from sticking together. It also helps ensure each piece cooks evenly. 

• Don’t crowd it! Adding too much too quickly will lower the temperature of the oil. When the temperature drops, the batter soaks up all that oil and will make it soggy. Work in batches if you need to. 

• Skim it with a slotted spoon. When removing okra from the hot oil, use a slotted spoon or a spider skimmer. This will help remove a lot of the oil before drying the okra on a paper towel. 

How to Store 

Have leftover okra? No worries! These nuggets of perfection store well in the fridge. Here’s everything you need to know about storing fried okra. 

• To Store: Place cooled fried okra in an air-tight container, and store in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. 

• To Freeze: You can freeze this recipe, but only before frying. Prepare the recipe up until the point it hits the oil. Place dredged okra on a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag. It’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. 

• To Reheat: Pop it in the oven for a few minutes until heated through. You can reheat it in the microwave, but they won’t be as crispy. 

What to Serve with Southern Fried Okra

Fried Chicken

Hush Puppies

Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe

Outback Ranch Dressing

Oven Fried Pork Chops