The Best Southern Fried Okra

finished homemade fried okra on a white plate

This easy Southern fried okra recipe uses no cornmeal and no buttermilk, just simple pantry staples you already have on hand! Fry it fresh or bread and freeze a big batch for later. Either way you are going to love it!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Fried Okra, Fried okra in coconut oil, fried okra no buttermilk, fried okra no seed oils, Fried Okra Recipe, fried okra without cornmeal, how to freeze breaded okra

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 294kcal

Ingredients

2 lbs fresh okra
1 egg, beaten
2 cups flour* (we use einkorn)
Salt and pepper to taste
4 cups oil for frying (we use coconut oil)

Instructions

Cut okra and discard the tops or crunchy pieces. Place cut okra in a medium bowl.
Beat egg in a small bowl, then pour over cut okra. Mix well, until all pieces are coated in egg.
Remove okra from bowl and place 2 handfuls at a time in the flour mixture. Mix well to coat each piece completely in flour.
Heat oil in a heavy-bottom pan to 350°. Remove okra from the flour bowl and carefully drop into hot oil. Fry until golden brown.
Drain fried okra on a paper towel lined plate or tray. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

How to Air Fry Okra!

Air-fried okra is a great option if you want a lighter result! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F, spray the breaded okra lightly with oil, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking halfway through. The result is less crispy than deep-fried but still delicious and much less calorie-dense!

How to Freeze Breaded Okra for Frying

If you’re like us and you have WAY too much okra to eat fresh, freezing a breaded batch is one of the best things you can do with it!

Bread – After step two, place your breaded okra in a single layer on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Make sure the pieces are not touching, or they will freeze together.
Freeze – Place the tray in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or until the okra is completely frozen solid.
Store – Transfer the frozen okra to a gallon freezer bag, or other freezer-safe airtight container, and store for up to 6 months.

To fry from frozen, place the frozen okra directly into hot oil at 350°F without thawing first. Fry until golden brown, which may take a minute or two longer than fresh. Season to taste and enjoy!

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Flour* - All-purpose, whole wheat, or fresh milled flour will all work equally well in this recipe, so use what you have!

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