A Classic and Southern Fried Okra Recipe — the flavor is amazing, and the fresh okra comes out with a beautiful golden brown color with a perfectly crunchy texture! This is one of the best okra recipes around!!!
My Fried Okra Recipe Origins
This Southern fried okra recipe is dedicated to my daddy. I realize that a lot of the things I wanted to learn how to cook and bake came from figuring out what foods made him excited. For instance, he loves key lime pie, fried catfish and fried okra, and I learned how to make those things early on growing up. I seriously think I fried my first fillet of fish around 11 or 12 years old and got pretty darn good at it too. Each Friday, my dad got off early from work and would pick me up from school right on time. We would then go home and have a fish fry. Those definitely brought him back to his Mississippi southern roots.
How to Fry Okra
Frying okra could not be easier. I love to start with fresh okra however you can absolutely use frozen okra that has been thawed out. The most important thing to remember is to keep the texture intact. Most people don’t enjoy okra because of a somewhat slimy texture.
I told you all about the essentials of fish fries when I shared my Hush Puppy recipe earlier this year, and I loved sharing the country fun of frying up Green Tomatoes this summer too, but a fried okra recipe is just as iconic when it comes to southern and soul food cooking. Nowadays if you want a quick fix, you can go to Cracker Barrel or any neighborhood southern restaurant and order some but I love the homemade ones best. These fried okra are perfectly spiced to your liking, crispy and best eaten right out of the fryer. Fry these babies up and see what all my daddy’s fuss is all about!
- What is a chicken gizzard? This fried chicken gizzard recipe will make you the ultimate fan.
- This fried green tomatoes recipe is the best one on the web!
- I’m seriously in love with this chicken fried steak recipe! It is one of my most popular recipe. This Country fried steak is gold!
- These Salmon Croquettes are golden for a lovely and easy Southern meal.
- If you love buttermilk fried chicken, this one will be your fave!
- I love some fried shrimp! This fried shrimp recipe is the best!
- Fried fish is the best, and this Fish and Chips recipe is amazing!
- Love fried catfish? This oven fried catfish will blow your mind.
- And for a side dish? These fried onion rings are incredible!
- If you love a good fish fry, I will teach you the best way to fry fish!
- 12 ounces fresh okra cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/8-1/4 teaspoon paprika optional- go up to 1/4 teaspoon if you like spicy foods
- Oil for frying
- Season okra with salt and pepper.
- Add eggs to a separate small bowl.
- Combine flour, cornmeal, seasoned bread crumbs and paprika into another small bowl and whisk together.
- Begin by dipping okra into cornmeal and flour coating.
- Next add okra to eggs coating on all sides.
- Lastly dip back into the coating and set aside okra on baking sheet.
- Repeat dredging process until all okra is ready.
- Heat oil in a frying pan over medium high heat.
- Fry okra until golden brown and drain on paper towels.
- Serve warm.
pinterest 
facebook 
twitter 
email 
Francis says
June 12, 2019 at 2:44 amThis brings me back to my childhood! Look the photos and recipe!!!
Brenda says
December 20, 2018 at 7:47 pmI love your backstories to your recipes!
Fried okra was a regular dish for Sunday dinner during okra season when I was a girl in the 1960’s. My grandma would put cut okra into a large bowl, crack a few eggs over it, add salt and pepper, then sprinkle corn meal over it until it was nice and gooey. Then she’d fry it in her cast iron skillet. When I asked her how many eggs, how much corn meal, etc., she said she just added the ingredients until she got happy! I’ve been using her approach for years and my two sons love it. Now that I’m a grandma, that’s the first thing they want for dinner when they come home for Christmas. I think I’m going to sneak in some paprika this year and see if they notice! Thanks!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
December 20, 2018 at 7:54 pmOh fantastic! And thank you so so much for your beautiful story.
Barbara says
October 11, 2017 at 3:24 pmI choose fried okra over popcorn to eat while watching a movie at home…….I absolutely will try your version!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
October 13, 2017 at 3:08 pmThat’s a fantastic idea!
Jocelyn@Brucrewlife says
September 5, 2014 at 2:17 pmI loved reading the special memories about your daddy and you! Too sweet! This fried okra sounds awesome! I can totally see my hubby loving it. 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
September 8, 2014 at 9:31 amAwww thanks so much Jocelyn. I am truly a daddy’s gal haha.
Kevin @ Closet Cooking says
August 26, 2014 at 11:30 amWhat a tasty treat! I don’t use okra nearly often enough!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 26, 2014 at 7:46 pmYep okra is pretty awesome Kevin!
Emily of Sugar Plum says
August 24, 2014 at 8:17 pmThis is the best looking fried okra I’ve ever seen! Fried okra is my absolute favorite food. It’s been too long since I’ve had it.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 25, 2014 at 7:47 amGosh fried okra is pretty darn awesome! Thanks so much Emily!
Bill says
August 23, 2014 at 10:01 amNow you’re singing my tune, Jocelyn! Love my fried okra and yours looks absolutely perfect. I see your southern roots in this post! 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 23, 2014 at 11:53 amOh yeah Bill, my southern roots are all over this post!
Shikha @ Shikha la mode says
August 21, 2014 at 7:15 pmFilleting a fish that early is so badass. Teach me one day!!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 21, 2014 at 7:27 pmGirl haha! Clearly my family starts them young!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
August 20, 2014 at 4:57 pmOkra just came up as a major discussion at my family reunion. We are TOTALLY northerners. We had fresh okra
and wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. There wasn’t an easy way to check. Darn—this looks wonderful.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 20, 2014 at 5:07 pmI totally understand the northerner side for sure. Next time you have fresh okra, you can try this.
Amy | Club Narwhal says
August 20, 2014 at 12:41 pmOh, GIRL, this has got it all going on and then some! I love fried okra but have never braved making it at home. Maybe I can convince Warren to bust out the fry daddy to make a batch 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 20, 2014 at 5:04 pmGirl I love a good ole fry daddy.
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
August 20, 2014 at 12:39 pmYay for okra season! I’ve only had fried okra once and ever since then I’ve been wanting to make my own. Now I know how :). Thanks for sharing, dear!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 20, 2014 at 5:04 pmThat’s awesome! Go for it girl.
marcie says
August 20, 2014 at 11:48 amI love your stories about cooking for your family, Jocelyn — that’s so sweet you learned to make your daddy’s favorites so young! Can you believe I love okra but have never had it fried? I could eat this entire bowl it looks so good!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 20, 2014 at 12:18 pmAww thanks so much Marcie! Yep fried okra is definitely a must try!
Matt Robinson says
August 20, 2014 at 11:43 amI don’t think I would be able to stop eating these, they look amazing!!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 20, 2014 at 12:19 pmOh gosh Matt it was seriously so hard to stop eating them!!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
August 20, 2014 at 10:33 amThis looks so good! I really like fried okra but have never made it myself. I also love that this is dedicated to your dad!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 20, 2014 at 12:20 pmThanks so much Bianca! I love trying to recreate things I eat out at home. It is kinda fun to see how close I can get the renditions.
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
August 20, 2014 at 9:54 amWould you believe I just had fried okra for the first time a few weeks ago?!!?! It’s amazing…obvi. Totally trying your version asap 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 20, 2014 at 12:21 pmAww thanks Kelli! Girl I am so glad you finally found it and came over to the dark side lol.
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
August 20, 2014 at 9:06 amWe eat a lot of okra in African dishes but never fried!! I need to try your daddy’s favorite way 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 20, 2014 at 12:23 pmGirl yes, I know okra is an African cooking staple. The fried version is definitely more a soul food mainstay.
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
August 20, 2014 at 9:01 amOkra is very popular in Greece where I lived for aaages, Jocelyn, but I’ve never seen it made as nicely as this! Sounds absolutely delicious!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 20, 2014 at 12:23 pmOh gosh Helen, I had no idea that okra was so popular in Greece! You seriously learn something new everyday!
Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com says
August 20, 2014 at 8:34 amI need a big bowl of this just for myself. I am not even kidding I am making them today! Love it!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 20, 2014 at 12:24 pmHooray! Girl it sounds like you are a big fan of okra my dear!
DessertForTwo says
August 20, 2014 at 8:16 amI’m so glad it’s okra season! I love the stuff! Especially love it fried (I mean, who doesn’t?), but I also love it stewed in tomatoes. Mmm!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 20, 2014 at 12:24 pmSame here girl! Okra season reigns!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
August 20, 2014 at 7:19 amJocelyn,
love me some fried okra! I love that the first foods you learned to cook were the ones your father loved. You are totally daddy’s little girl and I love this! Those Fridays with your dad sound so sweet!! I hope my girls have sweet memories like this one with Paul. . 🙂 love this!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 20, 2014 at 12:25 pmGirl I am totally a daddy’s girl! Hahaha!
Deborah says
August 1, 2018 at 8:07 amThis recipe is right up my alley with good ole fried okra.Here being just me I can fry some up and dig in.Now having it with some summer squash and onions and even along maybe even some corn on the cob.All this talk is making me hungry! Being southern let’s add a big glass of ice tea.I do love your recipes.Thank you for your shares.