Best Spicy Southern Fried Okra Recipes

SPICY FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Pat okra dry with paper towels. Place buttermilk and hot sauce in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper. Dip okra in buttermilk mixture, then roll in cornmeal mixture., In a cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat 1 in. of oil to 375°. Fry okra, a few pieces at a time, until golden brown, 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. If desired, season with additional salt and pepper.

WHOLE FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Place 1/2 cup of flour in a large zip top bag. Add a large pinch of salt and pepper.
• Whisk together the eggs and buttermilk in a shallow bowl. Set aside.
• Whisk together flour, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper in a pie plate.
• Trim the stem end of each okra pod a little.Place okra in the ziptop bag with flour. Shake to coat.Coat the okra in egg mixture and then coat in flour/cornmeal mixture.
• Heat oil or shortening in a Dutch oven until it reaches 360 degrees.
• Working in batches, fry okra until golden on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes. Place on a paper towel-lined plate.Season lightly with salt and serve.

SOUTHERN FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Pat okra dry with paper towels. Place buttermilk in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, seasoning blend and pepper. Dip okra in buttermilk, then roll in cornmeal mixture., In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat 1 in. of oil to 375°. Fry okra, a few pieces at a time, for 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.

FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, soak okra in egg for 5 to 10 minutes. In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal, salt, and pepper.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge okra in the cornmeal mixture, coating evenly. Carefully place okra in hot oil; stir continuously. Reduce heat to medium when okra first starts to brown, and cook until golden. Drain on paper towels.

SPICED FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Mix together coriander, paprika, oregano, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In a large bowl, whisk together rice flour, semolina, and all but 1 teaspoon of spice mixture. Add okra; toss to fully coat. Shake excess flour mixture from okra back into bowl, and transfer okra to a plate.
• Add enough water to flour mixture in bowl to create a batter about the thickness of honey (you should have about 3/4 cup; you may need to add more water as you go along, as rice flour thickens quickly).
• Pour enough oil into a medium heavy pot to come about 1 inch up sides (about 4 cups). Clip a deep-fry thermometer to pot and heat oil over medium to 350°F. Working with a handful at a time, add okra to batter, turning to coat. Using tongs, lift out of batter and carefully add to oil.
• Cook, turning once, until golden brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet; sprinkle immediately with salt. Place in a 200°F oven to keep warm. When all okra is cooked, sprinkle with some of remaining spice mixture and more paprika. Serve with lime wedges.