Ah yes! Crispy fried okra — a Southern classic: crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside. 🌿🍽️ Here’s a foolproof recipe:
🌿 Crispy Fried Okra
⏱ Time
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 10–12 minutes
- Serves: 4
🧈 Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) fresh okra, washed and sliced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- ½ cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
- Vegetable oil for frying
🥣 Instructions
1. Prep the okra
- Slice okra into ½-inch pieces
- Pat dry with paper towels to reduce sliminess
2. Make the coating
- In a bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, and paprika
- Pour buttermilk into another bowl
3. Coat the okra
- Dip okra pieces in buttermilk, then dredge in the cornmeal mixture
- Shake off excess
4. Fry
- Heat 1–2 inches of oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C)
- Fry okra in small batches for 3–4 minutes, until golden brown and crispy
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels
5. Serve
- Serve immediately while hot
- Optional: sprinkle with extra salt or serve with dipping sauces (ranch, hot sauce, or aioli)
✨ Tips
- Less slimy okra: Frying whole or slightly larger pieces helps
- Extra crispy: Double dredge — dip in buttermilk and coat twice in cornmeal mixture
- Oven option: Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15–20 minutes, tossing halfway
If you want, I can also give a super-easy air-fryer version of crispy fried okra that’s even crunchier and healthier.
Do you want me to do that?
