Fried Okra
on Nov 27, 2023, Updated Mar 19, 2024
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Easy-to-make Fried Okra is perfectly crispy with a crunch that cannot be beat! This fun veggie side dish has a flavorful coating full of spices and goes well with any meal.
If you are looking for a new, fun way to serve vegetables as a side dish, then this fried okra recipe is perfect for you! This crunchy, green-bean-like vegetable is a staple in many southern dishes. It’s tasty raw, but it’s even better when battered and fried.
My easy 20-minute fried okra recipe is easy to follow, and the resulting side dish is crunchy, earthy, and savory. Gobble it up plain or pair it with your favorite dipping sauce—when this fried okra is involved, you can’t go wrong!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One of my favorite things about this fried okra recipe is that you can easily add your favorite spices to your flour mixture and make this dish your own. Make it spicier with some cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes or herbier with some oregano and thyme.
- I love serving this easy, bite-sized fried okra alongside barbecue favorites like pulled pork sandwiches, smoked brisket or with homemade coleslaw. You could also serve it as a unique appetizer!
- Kids and adults alike will love dipping these crunchy bites of fried okra into some sriracha ketchup or a homemade chipotle aioli.
Recipe Ingredients
- Okra—Rinsed and sliced into bite-sized pieces. This crunchy, mild-flavored vegetable is the star ingredient in this savory and salty dish.
- All-Purpose Flour—Creates a crispy, thick batter to coat the okra.
- Eggs—Keep the okra moist and act as a binding agent!
- Vegetable Oil—Or any other mild-tasting, high-temp oil. You’ll use this for frying!
- Spices—A savory mix of garlic salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Southern Fried Okra
Step #1. Whisk together the flour, garlic salt, paprika, and black pepper in a small bowl.
Step #2. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Then, heat 3-4 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Step #3. While the oil is heating, dip each piece of okra in the flour mixture, dredge them in the eggs, then coat them in the flour a second time. Gently place your okra in the oil and cook until they are golden brown on both sides.
Step #4. Allow the fried okra to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
No, it is not necessary to boil okra before frying it. Especially if you decide to use frozen okra, you can fry it without boiling first. If you are using fresh okra, just make sure to wash and dry it well before frying.
Fried okra has a sweet but mild flavor that is sometimes described as having slightly grassy hints. Some people compare okra to the taste of green beans or eggplant. The thing that makes Okra unique is its crunchy texture! Even after fresh okra is battered and fried, it still has a nice snap to it!
As long as the stem and ends are removed, you can cut okra however you prefer! Some people slice it into discs like you would with a jalapeno. For frying okra, you want to make sure your slices are between ¼-½ inch thick. Any bigger, and the okra won’t cook all the way through.
Expert Tips
- Make sure your oil reaches about 350-375°F before frying your okra. If the oil is too hot, your okra can burn. If the oil is not hot enough, the okra will absorb excess grease and have a heavy texture.
- If you really want to add some heat to your fried okra, throw in some cayenne pepper to your flour mixture!
- You can use either fresh or frozen okra in this recipe! If you are having a hard time finding it fresh, you can usually find sliced okra in the freezer section of Walmart.
What Goes Well with Fried Okra?
There are so many great dishes you can serve with fried okra! A few of the most common main dishes are pork chops, grilled shrimp, or pulled pork sandwiches. I find that these crispy fried okra bites also pair well with all your favorite barbecue side dishes. Try plating them up alongside some coleslaw, baked beans, and cornbread.
If serving this fried okra as an appetizer, I recommend garnishing it with a sprinkling of dried parsley or flakey sea salt. I also like to serve this fried okra alongside a savory dipping sauce! Try dunking your fried okra into some chipotle mayo, garlic aioli, or spicy ranch.
How to Store Fried Okra
Fried okra is typically best served fresh, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. When you’re ready to enjoy this okra again, reheat it in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Or if you have an air fryer, you can use that to reheat the okra for 5 minutes at 390°F until it is slightly crispy.
More Side Dishes To Consider
Vegetable Sides
How to Bake a Potato
Vegetable Sides
Easy Roasted Beets
Preserving the Harvest
How To Pickle Peppers (Hot Water Bath Canning Method)
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Fried Okra
Ingredients
- 3 cups sliced okra, (about 1/2 inch thick slices)
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Whisk together the garlic salt, paprika, and black pepper in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
- Heat 3-4 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- While the oil is heating, dip each piece of okra in the flour mixture before dredging them in the eggs and coating them in the flour a second time.
- Gently place your okra in the oil and allow them to cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Allow the fried okra to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure your oil reaches about 350-375°F before frying your okra.
- You can use either fresh or frozen okra in this recipe. If you are having a hard time finding it fresh, you can usually find sliced okra in the freezer section.
- We like to serve our fried okra with a garlic or malt vinegar aioli sauce. It is also good served with ketchup or spicy sriracha mayo.
- While this okra is best served fresh, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat your okra in the microwave for about 45 seconds. If you have an air fryer, you can use that and reheat your okra for about 5 minutes at 390°F.
