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 recipes, I make Hoppin’ John, Southern cornbread dressing, fried cabbage and this ultra crispy fried okra.
In my opinion, okra is an underutilized ingredient. My favorite way to enjoy this vegetable is to serve it as fried okra. I love the crispy coating with the tender interior and that delicious flavor!
Fried okra is one of my favorite fried appetizer recipes along with fried pickles, fried zucchini and fried shrimp.
Fried Okra Ingredients
To make fried okra you will need okra, buttermilk, flour, cornmeal, salt, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, vegetable oil and parsley.
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, yellow cornmeal, salt and spices. Batches of the okra slices go into hot oil for a few minutes until cooked through and golden brown. Set the cooked okra on paper towels to drain. Serve them hot and add a sprinkle of parsley for garnish.
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.
- 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.
- Use a spider skimmer or slotted spoon to remove the cooked okra while letting the oil drain.
- 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.
Quick Tip
Fresh okra works best in this recipe. Frozen okra is typically mushy when thawed and will not hold up well when fried.
Recipe FAQs
Fried okra consists of sliced okra pods coated in buttermilk and dredged in a flour, cornmeal and seasoning mixture. After a quick dip in hot oil, it is ready to eat.
People grow okra in warm, wet climates for the edible seed pods. It is popular food in the southern region of the United States. People use okra in stews and gumbo not only as a vegetable, but as a thickener. It is also popular to pickle this vegetable.
Okra can be slimy after you cut it. However, with fried okra a slimy texture is not an issue. The okra in this recipe goes into a buttermilk bath and you coat it with flour and cornmeal which minimizes the slime. The veggie 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.
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 of course increases the calories and carbs. Okra also contains antioxidants which may help with with cancer prevention.
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Fried Okra Variations
This recipe makes delicious, crispy fried okra, however you can change the flavor to suit your own taste.
- Spicy: If you want spicier okra, add some cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
- Cajun: For a Cajun style flavor mix some of my Cajun seasoning into the flour.
- Mexican: For a Mexican flavor stir in some taco seasoning into the flour.
- Sauce: Try some great dipping sauces like homemade BBQ sauce, fry sauce or homemade ranch dip!
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
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Red Beans and Rice Recipe
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Crock Pot Baked Beans
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Love This Recipe?
Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
Fried Okra
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.
Notes
- Be sure to stir the okra occasionally as it fries to make sure that the okra cooks evenly and doesn’t stick together.
- 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.
Do you have to use butter milk or can you use eggs to dip the orcas in to.
I haven’t tested it this way so I can’t say for sure but I believe it could work.
This has made my southern belly less homesick in Canada. They don’t really know what fried okra is up here, but have a small season of fresh okra. I tried another recipe with just cornmeal and it wasn’t very good. It definitely needs both flour and cornmeal. I really enjoyed your recipe. I need to try it with buttermilk which is hard to find up here. Even with just milk it’s great. Thank you!
You can add 1 Tablespoon of Vinegar to 1 cup and of milk.
Let sit for 4-5 minutes. Makes perfect Buttermilk.
I used coconut milk
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.
Hi see where someone said regular seasoning what is regular seasoning
Great recipe…I am a southern belle, woohoo, fried okra is in our blood and this is really a good, simple recipe. THANKS
Yes I am a Southern Lady and love Okra boiled or fried. Fried is my favorite. Have to try your Recipe with my Lima Beans, Corn, Steamed Cabbages, Collards and different Dired Peas and Beans.
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.
Do you have TO use buttermilk, and cornmeal?
Would you be looking to substitute other ingredients in their place?
I only use regular seasoning & cornmeal only. Then fry in oil. Simple & Delicious! Yum
Yes because just like southern fried chicken and fried green tomatoes it makes it taste amazing..so why mess with years of tradition..it wont taste the same if youndont use it..its amazing😍
I saw another guy just season his okra and then toss plain flour over it. I will season both, but I have no cornmeal or almond milk to turn into vegan buttermilk. So just give it a try this way. IDK if dredging in an egg would work, but I’ve not yet seen that done.
Dipping sauce ideas? Not sure what would be good on okra
I like it with ranch or a spicy cajun style mayo!
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.
I like mine with just lemon juice and salt
This is such a great idea! Perfect snack or appetizer!
The recipe came out PERFECT! This is for sure a keeper!
Everyone loved this okra! The coating is perfectly crispy!
We had this at a restaurant before and my husband loved it. Can’t wait to surprise him with this! Thanks for sharing.
Made this for our annual holiday party last night and it was a hit all around! Easy and delicious! Win-win!
This is such a creative way to use okra! So crispy with wonderful flavor!
This fried okra recipe is looks delicious!
Fried okra is one of my all time favorite appetizers. There are so many great ways to enjoy it. Love this!
My favorite restaurant makes these and I can’t get enough. I can’t wait to make them at home!
I haven’t had fried okra in a minute! This means I need to get on making them again!
I will always love fried okra!!