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Old Fashioned Pan Fried Okra Recipe

4.6 from 115 reviews

Old Fashioned Pan Fried Okra offers a crispy, flavorful Southern side dish that combines fresh okra with a seasoned flour and cornmeal coating, fried to golden perfection for a satisfying crunch and taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 24 Ounces Fresh Okra

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
  • ¼ Cup Cornmeal
  • ½ teaspoon Salt + more for sprinkling after frying
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 Each Large Egg
  • ¼ Cup Milk

Others

  • 2 Cups Vegetable Oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil. Add the vegetable oil to your skillet and heat it over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F, using a frying thermometer to monitor the temperature.
  2. Prepare the okra. While the oil heats, trim the tips off the ends of the okra and slice them into ½-inch pieces to ensure even frying.
  3. Mix dry ingredients. Combine the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in a resealable bag and shake to blend well.
  4. Beat egg and milk. In a medium bowl, whisk together the large egg and milk until smooth and well combined.
  5. Coat the okra. Add a batch of sliced okra to the egg mixture, tossing with your hand to coat each piece thoroughly and evenly.
  6. Coat with dry mixture. Transfer the wet okra pieces into the resealable bag with the flour mixture and shake well until all pieces are evenly coated.
  7. Fry the okra. Carefully add the coated okra batch to the hot oil at 350°F. Use a frying spatula to stir occasionally, preventing sticking and ensuring even browning. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
  8. Drain and season. Remove the fried okra from the oil and set on a paper towel-lined sheet pan to drain excess oil. Sprinkle a little additional salt over the hot okra.
  9. Repeat frying. Continue the process with remaining okra in batches until all pieces are cooked and crispy.

Notes

  • Ensure the oil temperature is accurate at 350°F before frying to achieve optimal crispiness.
  • Store leftover okra in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • Try experimenting with different seasonings in the flour mixture such as cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to customize the flavor profile.

Keywords: Old Fashioned Okra, Pan Fried Okra, Southern Side Dish, Crispy Okra, Fried Okra Recipe, Vegetarian Side Dish