Dry Fried Okra

  4.1 – 16 reviews  • Okra Recipes
Level: Intermediate
Total: 30 min
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 15 min
Yield: 4 side servings
Level: Intermediate
Total: 30 min
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 15 min
Yield: 4 side servings

Ingredients

  1. 1 pound okra, stems removed
  2. 1/2 cup cornmeal
  3. Vegetable oil
  4. Kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Rinse the whole okra pods under cold water, drain, pat dry, trim and cut into 1/4-inch pieces. Set aside.
  2. Place the cornmeal into a sealable ziptop bag. Add the okra and shake to coat thoroughly. Return the okra to a dry colander and shake off excess cornmeal.
  3. Add enough vegetable oil to a 12-inch stainless steel saute pan in order to completely cover the bottom of the pan. Place over medium-high heat and bring the oil to 370 degrees F. Add the okra and fry until golden brown on 1 side, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Stirring occasionally, continue cooking until okra is golden brown on all sides, approximately 5 to 6 minutes longer. Remove the okra from the pan with a slotted spoon or spatula to a cooling rack set over a newspaper-lined sheet pan. Season, to taste, with salt and allow to cool for 1 to 2 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 4 servings
Calories 287
Total Fat 21 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Carbohydrates 24 g
Dietary Fiber 4 g
Sugar 2 g
Protein 4 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 319 mg
Serving Size 1 of 4 servings
Calories 287
Total Fat 21 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Carbohydrates 24 g
Dietary Fiber 4 g
Sugar 2 g
Protein 4 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 319 mg

Reviews

Alison Anderson
Perfect! This is the first year that I have grown okra, and I have found my fried okra recipe. I never go wrong when I consult Alton! Thank you! 
Isabel Berry
The base recipe was pretty good, but I had to modify it a bit after the 1st try.

Used 1 bag frozen chooped Okra (hard to find fresh okra in New England placed in a zip lock bag w/ 1 cup bread crumbs, 1/2 cup corn meal, 1tsp black pepper, 1 tsp salt, 1tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 2 tbs paprika (smoked paprika makes it even better, 1 tsp chili powder – as the okra thaws, just shake the bag. Cooked it the same way. Then dipped with 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt w/ 2tsp franks hot sauce.

Zachary Skinner
Perfect. Did let the okra set a bit and then re-dusted in the dry mix before frying. So good and crispy.
Jenna Potter
My momma made okra for our family for years – and her momma before her, and, well before her, it was the cook because that far back, my family had money.

BUT – I do have a simple suggestion that will VASTLY improve this recipe.

After cutting the okra, lay it out on a cutting board or pan and salt it. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then add it to the cornmeal. The salt will bring out the “goo” in the okra, the cornmeal will adhere even better – making the crust just a bit crispier.

And if you can – cook in shortening, with a dab of bacon fat. Enjoy!

Madeline Gentry
Just like Mom made.
Jaime Rodriguez
Fast, easy and delicious.. We’ll be having okra more often…

thank you Alton

Alexander French
This is a very good way of cooking okra. A variation to this recipe could be adding gram flour instead of corn meal and adding some Garam Masala… finish off with some lemon zest.

Heavenly!

Sandra Dawson
I’ve been eating fried okra all of my life and I am so glad AB showed everyone how to make it! This is a delicious side dish and the recipe is spot on! I hope even the okra haters out there will try this – trust me (and AB), you’ll like it!
Stephen Moran
Alton could have made this even better by seasoning the cornmeal, and using bacon fat instead of vegetable oil. Now I know we don’t all have that can of drippins at the back of the stove, and modern sensibilities favor healthier fats, but good fried okra deserves the best!
Terri White
fast, easy and tasty…I’ve been adding spices (chili powder, cayenne, etc.) to the corn meal…

 

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