Southern cooking is all about comfort food. Hearty, home-cooked dishes that you won’t be able to resist piling onto your plate! Need more great recipes to try? Try some homemade grits or hush puppies!

Classic Southern Fried Okra

The south is all about the deep fryer, and Okra is a cornerstone of any Southern dish. Combine the two, and you have the best hearty appetizer! If you go over to someone’s house, you’ll probably have fried catfish and okra. Maybe some hush puppies too if you’re lucky. If you’ve never had it, you seriously need to try fried okra! It’s a Southern treat that’s too good to miss. It’s got tender okra slices coated in a crunchy, golden buttermilk batter, fried to perfection. No sliminess here, just pure deliciousness! They’re so irresistible, you won’t able to stop munching on them.

Fried Okra Ingredients

We’ve got a lineup of simple yet scrumptious ingredients that’ll turn this Southern classic into your new favorite dish. Check out the recipe card below for measurements!

Okra Pods: These green goodies are sliced up and fried to crispy perfection. Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside – it’s a flavor combo you’ll love. One Egg: Helps the coating stick to the okra like glue. Buttermilk: Adds a tangy kick and richness to the batter. So darn good! All-Purpose Flour: The base of the batter that gets everything coated and ready to fry. Cornmeal: Gives that extra crunch we all crave. Salt: Simple, yet essential for bringing out all the flavors. Black Pepper: Adds a little kick and depth to the dish. Cumin: Brings in warm, aromatic goodness for a flavor boost. Garlic: Gives the fried okra some savory magic. Cayenne Pepper: For the brave souls who like it spicy! Vegetable Oil: So you can fry the okra to golden perfection!

Let’s Get Cookin!

Even though you need to deep fry your okra, it’s actually pretty easy! You’re going to love the crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside goodness that you create.

Check if Your Oil is Hot Enough: To check if oil is ready to start frying, I like to take a wooden toothpick or skewer and submerge it into the oil partially, if the oil is ready it should develop bubbles around the toothpick or skewer. Adjust the Spice: If you want more heat in your fried okra you can add additional cayenne pepper, or remove it if you want no heat. Don’t Crowd the Pan: Fry in batches, don’t overcrowd the pan. Give each piece enough space to cook evenly and get that golden goodness.

To Reheat: Use an air fryer or oven so your fried okra stays nice and crispy. 10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit should do the trick!

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