Nothing says Southern snack like a deep fried piece of fresh okra wrapped in a crispy corn meal outer shell. If Okra is new to you, welcome! If its an old favorite, welcome too!
Fried Okra in Cornmeal
There is nothing more southern than deep fried okra in a batch of corn meal! Now okra isnt a common side for every person, but I personally love okra. Each bite is a delicious crunchy finger food that I truly enjoy and I hope you do too!
- 20 fresh okra stalks, cut into 1/4″ pieces
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup corn meal
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
RELATED RECIPES: Fried Apples, Fried Corn Fritters, Fried Rice, Fried Zucchini, Fried Hush Puppies
Alternative Seasoning Flavors
In this recipe, I kept the seasoning super simple: Salt and Pepper. But you can def season up your corn meal with a variety of spices. I suggest either Lawry’s season salt to keep it simple or even a small dash of Cayenne is super complementary. Depending on what part of the US you are from and how you like your flavors, add a bit of garlic salt, smoked paprika, lemon pepper, or chili powder.
How to make Deep Fried Okra
Beat eggs well and place sliced okra in egg mixture. Mix well to evenly coat.
Let set for about 5 minutes while you heat your oil and mix your corn meal coating.
In a separate bowl, add corn meal, salt and pepper and mix well.
Heat at least 2″ of oil in a saucepan until hot.
Divide the okra into fourths. Add one fourth of the okra to the corn meal mixture and mix well to evenly coat. Place into hot oil and fry until browned on both sides, about 3-5 minutes.
Drain on paper towels and repeat, frying okra in batches and draining.
Serve okra immediately.
Makes 3-4 cups fried okra
What is Okra Exactly?
Okra, uses in soups, stews, boiled, roasted, sautéed or fried (as it is here) is a fruit (not a vegetable because it has seeds!) that comes from the same family as a hibiscus flower. You may be surprised that Okra can be eaten raw with a little bit of salt, but most people enjoy it the most in gumbo or stew. Okra also has many nutritional benefits like antioxidants and heart health (probably not with the fried, lol).
Common Fried Okra Recipe Questions
- What is the difference in frying and deep frying? Deep frying, like these okra, are where the oil covers the entire item in oil. Shallow frying, or regular frying, is just a sizzle at the bottom of the skillet or pan.
- Dipping Sauce for Fried Okra: Cucumber Dip, Ranch Dip, Pickle Dip
- Want Okra without Cornmeal? Try dipping in flour, egg wash, and flour again.
- Are there carbs in Okra? There are about 7 carbs in one cup of Okra (this does not include the fried and cornmeal).
Southern Side Dishes
Need more southern side dishes for some homemade cooking? You really cannot go wrong with just about any side dish recipe (but seriously this dip is my favorite) but here are a few to point you in the right direction!
Southern Style Green Beans – Southern Style Green Beans with fresh green beans and crispy bacon is a flawless side dish for any meal. Do not wait for the holidays to enjoy this mouth watering, tender and perfect vegetable side dish.
Southern Sweet Tea Slushie – Southern Sweet Tea is great no matter what time of the year, but did you know you can take that same sweet tea recipe and turn it into a delightful, thirst quenching slushie? Also great for sipping on the front porch is Sparkling Citrus Punch and Lime Sherbet Punch.
Classic Southern Bread Pudding – Bread pudding with simple white bread and raisins is a foolproof dessert that will remind you of how grandma used to make it.
Southern Style Potato Salad – Southern potato salad is a creamy delicious potato salad side dish recipe with simple ingredients and a WOW taste.
Southern Skillet Cornbread – Southern Skillet Cornbread, a made from scratch homemade cast iron cornbread, that is a low to no sugar cornbread with a light crispy shell. No Jiffy here!
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Southern Style Cornmeal Fried Okra
Southern Fried Deep okra in oil create a crispy corn meal outer shell. A perfect finger food, appetizer or snack, okra is a great option for those tired of the same old thing.
Ingredients
- 20 fresh okra stalks, cut into 1/4" pieces
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup corn meal
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Beat eggs well and place sliced okra in egg mixture.
- Mix well to evenly coat.
- Let set for about 5 minutes while you heat your oil and mix your corn meal coating.
- In a separate bowl, add corn meal, salt and pepper and mix well.
- Heat at least 2" of oil in a saucepan until hot.
- Divide the okra into fourths. Add one fourth of the okra to the corn meal mixture and mix well to evenly coat.
- Place into hot oil and fry until browned on both sides, about 3-5 minutes.
- Drain on paper towels and repeat, frying okra in batches and draining.
- Serve immediately while still warm.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 353Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 623mgCarbohydrates: 60gFiber: 22gSugar: 19gProtein: 21g
Nutritional information is automatically calculated with ingredients and serving size and may not be accurate. Please always double check with your own nutritional apps as well.
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