Fried Okra Recipe

This Fried Okra Recipe features fresh okra breaded in the most flavorful coating then fried until golden brown creating a perfect crunchy texture! This is one of the best okra recipes around!!!

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.

Perks & Highlights of This Crispy Fried Okra Recipe

Cuisine Inspiration: Southern American

Primary Cooking Method: Frying

Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Contains Gluten 

Key Flavor: Crispy, savory with a hint of natural okra sweetness

Skill Level: Medium do to frying

Special Perks:

Crowd-Pleaser: Known for its golden, crispy coating and tender interior, this fried okra is a hit at family gatherings, potlucks, and BBQs, appealing to both adults and kids alike.

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavors: Requiring just a few common ingredients, this recipe transforms the humble okra into a flavorful, irresistible treat.

Perfect Side or Snack: Whether it’s accompanying your main dish or serving as a stand-alone snack, fried okra fits various dining scenarios with its satisfying crunch and savory goodness.

Customizable Coating: While traditional breading is a classic, you can experiment with different breading like cornmeal or gluten-free alternatives, adjusting to dietary needs or taste preferences.

Quick to Make: No need to spend hours in the kitchen; this fried okra comes together quickly, making it a convenient option for busy days.

This Fried Okra recipe encapsulates the heart of Southern cooking, offering a dish that’s not only bursting with flavor but also carries the warmth and joy of a community that loves sharing good food.

What is Okra?

According to Healthline, Okra is a flowering plant known for its edible seed pods. It is cultivated in locations like Africa and South Asia due to it being warm and tropical. 

This vegetable or fruit as it is not widely known is used in a lot of Southern dishes like gumbo, succotash, and soups.

How to Select Okra

My suggestion is to always try fresh okra first. If you can select fresh okra, it will make this dish so much better.

However I realize that in certain areas of the country this may not be possible. In that case, frozen okra is totally fine.

Tip: Make sure it is thawed and use paper towels to completely try it so the breading adheres to it well. You want to make sure it isn’t watery and that it maintains its texture.

How to Cook Okra So It Isn’t Slimy

But okra doesn’t have to be slimy y’all!!! There are a few precautions you can take to assure you are cooking your southern okra the best way possible.

One major precaution being- reduce the cutting. The more you cut this intricate veggie, the more slime it produces.

Try to opt-in for whole slices of okra rather than finely chopped pieces the next time you get ready to prepare some.

There are even different selection types of okra, plenty of sizes, to choose from at the grocery store so be mindful of what you pick up.

When picking fresh okra at the grocery store, always choose smaller pods.  They should be mostly green. If you see black specks anywhere, then I would avoid because they aren’t as fresh. 

Tip: Try to avoid the larger okra pods because they can be tougher when cooked. Anything around 4 inches is too long. 

Ingredients

The BEST Fried Okra starts with incredible ingredients.  For a breading that is truly unlike any other as far as flavor, you will need the following key ingredients:

• All Purpose Flour (this will help with making sure the batter adheres)
• Yellow Cornmeal (this provides that true Southern flavor and nice crunchy gritty texture)
• Seasoned bread crumbs (I started adding these for a bit more texture and additional flavor to the breading)
• Paprika (I love adding this for additional flavor notes)
• Cayenne  (This is optional but if you love a little spice, definitely add this!)

Fried Okra from Frozen Okra?

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 since most people don’t enjoy okra because of a somewhat slimy texture.

How to Make Fried Okra

Frying okra could not be easier.  To help the okra adhere to the batter, I like to use a bit of egg.  It really serves as a binder.

Lastly, real Southern fried okra should always have a batter base of corn meal.  There is nothing more southern than that.

Tips for How to Fry Okra

Tip 2: To keep frying evenly, I like to occasionally stir it so it doesn’t fry and stick.  

Tip 3: Oil temperature must not be too hot or the okra will burn and have a terrible taste.  Also if the oil isn’t hot enough, the okra will just absorb the oil and it won’t crisp.  

What to Serve with Fried Okra

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.

This okra is great plain or you could serve with this remoulade.

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!

Deep Fried Okra or Pan Fried Okra?

Can you Make Ahead?

How to Store

What to serve with