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Home » Appetizers » Fried Okra Recipe

December 8, 2019 By Sara 21 Comments

Fried Okra Recipe

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This fried okra recipe is fresh sliced okra coated in buttermilk and a seasoned cornmeal mixture, then deep fried to golden brown perfection. A classic side dish or appetizer option that’s easy to make and totally delicious!

When I’m looking to serve up some traditional Southern sides, I make cornbread dressing, fried cabbage and this ultra crispy fried okra.

Fried Okra Recipe #okra #appetizer #sidedish #dinneratthezoo Fried Okra Recipe #okra #appetizer #sidedish #dinneratthezoo

A serving plate of fried okra garnished with parsley.

In my opinion, okra is an underutilized ingredient. My favorite way to enjoy this vegetable is when it’s served as fried okra. The crispy coating with tender interior just can’t be beat.

How do you make fried okra?

The first step to make fried okra is to prepare the okra by cutting off the stem ends and slicing it up. Next toss the sliced okra in a bowl of buttermilk until the slices are completely coated. The buttermilk coated slices get dredged in a bowl of flour, cornmeal, salt and spices. The okra slices go into hot oil for a few minutes until cooked through and golden brown. Serve them hot and add a sprinkle of parsley for garnish.

Okra pods on a sheet pan.

Tips for the perfect fried okra

  • Be sure to stir the okra occasionally as it fries to make sure that the okra cooks evenly and doesn’t stick together.
  • If you want spicier okra, add some cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
  • Look for similar sized okra pods so that all the okra slices take about the same time to cook. I use okra pods that are about 3 inches long.
  • Be sure to use a frying thermometer to make sure that your oil is at the correct temperature. If the oil is too hot, the okra can burn. If it’s too cold, the okra will absorb excess grease and have a heavy texture.
  • Fresh okra works best in this recipe. Frozen okra is typically mushy when thawed and will not hold up well when fried.
  • Serve your okra plain, or add a dipping sauce on the side of your choice.

Sliced okra in a bowl of buttermilk.

What is fried okra made of?

Fried okra is made of sliced okra pods coated in buttermilk and dredged in a flour, cornmeal and seasoning mixture. After a quick dip in hot oil, fried okra is ready to eat.

Okra is a vegetable that is grown in warm, wet climates for their edible seed pods. It is popular food in the southern region of the United States. Okra is used in stews and gumbo not only as a vegetable, but as a thickener. It is also popular to pickle this vegetable.

Breaded okra slices on a sheet pan.

How do you cook okra so that it is not slimy?

Okra can be slimy once it is cut. However, with fried okra a slimy texture is not an issue. The okra in this recipe goes into a buttermilk bath and is coated with flour and cornmeal which minimizes the slime. The okra fries up golden and crispy.

For other recipes involving okra, you can reduce the sliminess by drying okra before slicing and cooking it or cooking the okra with lemon juice, vinegar or other acidic ingredients.

What are the health benefits of okra?

Okra is full of vitamins such as vitamins C, K and A. Okra also contains magnesium and folate. Plain okra is a low calorie food and is low in carbs. Frying okra of course increases the calories and carbs. Okra also contains antioxidants which may help with with cancer prevention.

Fried okra on a sheet pan, garnished with chopped parsley.

Fried okra is a delicious Southern dish that is great as a side dish or as an appetizer. Once you try it, you won’t be able to stop eating it!

More side dish recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Creamed Corn
  • Green Beans with Bacon
  • Hasselback Potatoes
  • Red Beans and Rice
  • Crock Pot Baked Beans
A serving plate of fried okra garnished with parsley.
Print Pin
5 from 13 votes

Fried Okra

This fried okra recipe is fresh sliced okra coated in buttermilk and a seasoned cornmeal mixture, then deep fried to golden brown perfection. A classic side dish or appetizer option that's easy to make and totally delicious!
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword fried okra
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 185kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh okra pods
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • vegetable oil for frying
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley optional

Instructions

  • Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pot to 375 degrees F.
  • Remove the stem ends of the okra. Slice each okra pod into 3/4 inch thick pieces.
  • Place the okra slices in a bowl along with the buttermilk; toss to coat evenly.
  • Place the flour, cornmeal, salt, paprika garlic powder and pepper in a medium sized bowl. Stir to combine.
  • Dredge each piece of okra in the flour mixture, making sure it's coated evenly. Repeat the process with the remaining okra pieces.
  • Fry 10 pieces of okra at a time for 3 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Sprinkle with parsley if desired, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 1227mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Appetizers, Side Dishes Tagged With: Southern food

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Comments

  1. Beth says

    January 14, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is solid, but I tweaked it. Make the oil hotter (400 or so). Use peanut oil. Don’t crowd the okra in the oil. It doesn’t crisp if it’s crowded. Frozen okra works fine- don’t even bother thawing before you cut up. For gluten-free and wheat-free diets, chickpea flour makes a nice substitute for the wheat flour.

    Reply
  2. V says

    August 4, 2020 at 9:38 am

    5 stars
    Hi see where someone said regular seasoning what is regular seasoning

    Reply
  3. Janice says

    May 14, 2020 at 6:58 am

    5 stars
    Great recipe…I am a southern belle, woohoo, fried okra is in our blood and this is really a good, simple recipe. THANKS

    Reply
  4. T.Francis says

    April 19, 2020 at 10:55 am

    5 stars
    Great recipe. This was the first time I made my own fried okra and it turned out great. I will never buy frozen breaded okra again.

    Reply
  5. Iris Gonzalez says

    March 5, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    Do you have TO use buttermilk, and cornmeal?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      March 6, 2020 at 11:50 am

      Would you be looking to substitute other ingredients in their place?

      Reply
    • CAB says

      March 14, 2020 at 12:05 am

      I only use regular seasoning & cornmeal only. Then fry in oil. Simple & Delicious! Yum

      Reply
  6. C says

    January 4, 2020 at 8:28 am

    Dipping sauce ideas? Not sure what would be good on okra

    Reply
    • Sara says

      January 6, 2020 at 9:30 pm

      I like it with ranch or a spicy cajun style mayo!

      Reply
      • C says

        January 7, 2020 at 9:33 pm

        Thank you. That sounds good. Will have to try. I also remembered a good bottled sauce that I like on onion rings, its called yum yum sauce I believe. Tastes just like burger King onion ring sauce. That might be good, too.

        Reply
  7. Sandra says

    December 22, 2019 at 10:51 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a great idea! Perfect snack or appetizer!

    Reply
  8. Jennifer Fishkind says

    December 14, 2019 at 4:54 am

    5 stars
    The recipe came out PERFECT! This is for sure a keeper!

    Reply
  9. Anna says

    December 13, 2019 at 4:18 pm

    5 stars
    Everyone loved this okra! The coating is perfectly crispy!

    Reply
  10. Jen says

    December 13, 2019 at 3:50 pm

    5 stars
    We had this at a restaurant before and my husband loved it. Can’t wait to surprise him with this! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  11. Jacque Hooper says

    December 13, 2019 at 2:14 pm

    5 stars
    Made this for our annual holiday party last night and it was a hit all around! Easy and delicious! Win-win!

    Reply
  12. Taylor says

    December 12, 2019 at 7:35 am

    5 stars
    This is such a creative way to use okra! So crispy with wonderful flavor!

    Reply
  13. Erin says

    December 11, 2019 at 3:32 pm

    5 stars
    This fried okra recipe is looks delicious!

    Reply
  14. Tiffany La Forge-Grau says

    December 11, 2019 at 9:59 am

    5 stars
    Fried okra is one of my all time favorite appetizers. There are so many great ways to enjoy it. Love this!

    Reply
  15. Dorothy Reinhold says

    December 10, 2019 at 6:05 pm

    My favorite restaurant makes these and I can’t get enough. I can’t wait to make them at home!

    Reply
  16. Jessica says

    December 10, 2019 at 6:02 pm

    I haven’t had fried okra in a minute! This means I need to get on making them again!

    Reply
  17. Amanda says

    December 10, 2019 at 3:56 pm

    5 stars
    I will always love fried okra!!

    Reply

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