Fried Okra is a Southern staple. So simple to make, it makes the perfect side dish. Get this heirloom family fried okra recipe that you’ll love.
Fried okra is one of my favorite foods in all the land – if it’s done right. This is the best fried okra recipe and a family favorite for generations!
And by done right, I mean cooked with the perfect amount of crispy coating on the outside while being smooth and tender on the inside. You’d think that would be easy enough, but when I was first married I wasn’t exactly sure how to make it. I managed to have more burnt crisps of okra because I couldn’t figure out the perfect balance of how to make it just right.
Finally, like every good Southern girl, I called my Mama. She knew just what I was doing wrong and set me straight in my fried okra making ways.
Fried Okra Recipe
I had been trying to get the perfect fried okra on the stove top alone. The secret, as Mama told me, was the combination of the stove top AND the oven! It’s how her Mama taught her and her Mama before her.
Hallelujah! It was if I could hear the angels singing when she told me how to make it.
How to Make
To make this fried okra, start by preheating oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then, mix together the okra, corn meal, flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Make sure the okra is well-coated.
In the meantime, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Then add okra to skillet once oil has reached the point where if a drop of water is added to the oil, it will sizzle.
Allow okra to brown on one side, which will take about 3 minutes, before gently stirring. Once both sides of okra have browned, about 3 more minutes, place into preheated oven.
Cook until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Then serve and enjoy!
We love to eat this delicious okra with so many other favorite dishes, such as Easy Mashed Potatoes, Pinto Beans and Southern Cornbread.
Since my Mama shared cooking tip with me, I’ve been making it perfectly for over 20 years.
I’m so thankful for her tips! The world just wouldn’t be the same without good fried okra.
Here’s my family’s Fried Okra recipe. It’s a tradition.
Fried Okra Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds okra, sliced
- 3/4 cup corn meal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup Canola or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F.
- Mix together okra, corn meal, flour, and salt in a large mixing bowl, making sure well-coated.
- In the meantime, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add okra to skillet once oil has reached the point where if a drop of water is added it will sizzle.
- Allow okra to brown on one side, about 3 minutes, before gently stirring. Once both sides of okra have browned, about 3 more minutes, place into preheated oven. Cook until fork tender, about 10 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
The one thing I would change is that canola oil. It’s a myth that it’s good for you. (perpetuated by corporations wanting to make cheap, shabby goods and sell them at a high price). Canola is HIGHLY refined, and that is not a good thing.
My recipe is the same as yours EXCEPT I add an egg white to the okra, stir well to coat each piece, then add the mixed corn meal and flour. This addition makes the meal mixture stick a little better while still maintaining that light, crispy taste.
I didn’t know a recipe was needed to fry okra, but clicked on it anyway. Wow! Sounds wonderful! It should be extra crunchy doing it your way. Next time I cook up a mess of pinto beans, I will try this. Nothing better than pinto beans, fried okra, fried potatoes, and fresh tomatoes. Hmmm. Wonder if you could fry the potatoes and put them in the oven? Might have to try that. Thanks for the recipe!
This sounds like my kind of food Fran .
Do you drain the oil before placing in the oven?
If there is any oil remaining, you can.
I have used the oven frying method to cook my okra for years as my family likes it crunchy and likes to eat it by itself like a snack. Even my 2 year old great-grandson loves it. This is the way I prepare it to put it in the freezer too. You put cornmeal and a little flour on your okra just like you were prepareing it for a meal. Prepare a baking sheet with oit and let the oil get hot in the oven before you put the okra in. When it is oven fried to your liking, let cool and slide over into a freezer bag. Put in freezer and enjoy all winter long! Tastes just like fresh okra I promise.
Can you make this with frozen okra?
yes. Breaded works great.
I was wondering if you put it in the oven in the cast iron pan that u fried it in ? Drain grease or not ? Thanks so much
I do! If there is any visible grease remaining from frying, I’d drain it, but I don’t ever have any.
I love fried okra and cannot wait for summer. I’ve never had trouble with mine, but I like this idea of putting it in the oven.
should you have your skillet on medium or a higher heat?
Love to fry it with onions and for the batter use cornbread mix….and season with salt and pepper and good ‘ole bacon grease is the best to fry it in !