Southern fried okra is crispy, crunchy, and just a tad peppery. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauce and make it the perfect appetizer or side dish for fish, chicken, and pork.
Get the perfect crispy fried okra with a delicious cornmeal coating with this easy-to-follow recipe. Impress your friends and family with this tasty, unique side dish or appetizer.
This is one of my favorite Southern recipes. It comes together fairly quickly and can be fried in less than one inch of oil, making it a little less messy. If you like this recipe, try fried zucchini, fried mushrooms, roasted okra, and beer-battered onion rings.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Greek yogurt: plan full-fat Greek yogurt is best
- Jalapeno: Use fresh jalapenos. Look for the younger peppers that are smooth and green all over with no striations or blemishes.
- Cilantro: Use fresh for the best flavor.
- Okra: It is in season from last spring to early fall. Use fresh okra so the breading adheres.
- Buttermilk: You can save money and make your buttermilk at home by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of milk and letting it sit for about 5 minutes.
- Cornmeal: either self-rising or plain. Self-rising cornmeal produces a slightly crispier finish.
- Seasoning: Cajun or Creole seasoning
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Trim the stem and pointed end off the okra and discard it.
- Soak the okra in the buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.
- Remove the fried okra and put it on paper towels to absorb any residual oil.
- Try other dipping sauces, like comeback sauce, boom boom sauce, and yum yum sauce.
- Store leftover fried okra in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It will not be as crisp upon reheating as it is best enjoyed promptly. However, you can reheat it in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 2-3 minutes (my preferred way) or in the oven at 375 degrees for about 7-8 minutes.
How to Choose the Best Okra for Frying
Look for the smaller pods if you want less slime. The smaller the pod, the younger the pod, which means less slime. Get fresh, bright green okra that is firm and free from blemishes, mold, and soft spots. Fresh okra has a short shelf life, so plan accordingly. Store in the refrigerator and use within a few days.
How to Air-Fry It
Place the breaded okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spritz with cooking spray. Air-fry at 350 degrees for 6-7 minutes, gently shaking the basket after 4-5 minutes. Work in batches if needed.
What to Serve with Fried Okra
- Dirty rice
- Creole jambalaya
- Cheesy grits
- Cajun shrimp pasta
- Shrimp creole
- Southern hoppin’ John
- Cajun chicken pasta
- Pastalaya
More Southern Recipes
Southern Fried Okra Recipe
Ingredients
Jalapeno Yogurt Sauce
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon jalapeno finely minced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro finely minced
Fried Okra
- ½ lb. fresh okra
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup self rising cornmeal
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix yogurt, jalapeno, lime juice and cilantro in non reactive bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
- Trim okra by cutting away and discarding tips and stems. Cut in 1/2 inch thick slices. Soak in buttermilk for 30 minutes. Keep chilled.
- Combine cornmeal, flour and Cajun seasoning in large ziploc bag.
- Working in small batches remove okra from buttermilk with slotted spoon. Add okra to ziploc bag and shake to coat.
- Pour oil in dutch oven or heavy pan to a depth of 1 inch. Heat oil to 375 degrees. Using the tongs remove the okra from the bag and add to the hot oil. Fry until golden brown on the bottom then flip and fry until the other side is golden brown; approximately 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve warm with jalapeno yogurt sauce.
Notes
- Soak the okra in the buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.
- Remove the fried okra and put it on paper towels to absorb any residual oil.
Nutrition
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Kelly
I love fried okra! It had been years since it enjoyed it. It was fabulous! Crispy with cornmeal is the best way to eat it.
Ivan J
Best fried okra I have had it quite some time. We loved every little morsel. It is so yummy with your comeback sauce.
Beth Pierce
I know it really is delicious with comeback sauce.
Hannah Bures
I am planing on growing okra this year and was wondering different recipes to cook them! My mouth was watering looking at these photos. I can not wait to try this.
Ebony
As a someone who grew up in the South, I know a thing or two about Okra! I tried this recipe and it was sooooo good! I love it breaded with cornmeal!
Beth Pierce
Me too, Ebony!
Sonia H
I love the crunchiness of the okra and the bit of spice from the pepper. It pairs perfectly with fried fish or chicken and is a must-try for anyone who loves Southern cuisine.
Catherine Kay
Your recipe looks amazing and brings back memories of me growing okra when I lived in New York. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe – it’s sure to be a hit for dinner.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Catherine Kay! Enjoy!
Stephie R
I’ve never made anything with okra before as I didn’t know how to use it – so glad I tried this recipe! This fried okra is great and with the jalapeno sauce its even more amazing.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephie! So glad that you tried it and enjoyed it!
Leann
This sounds so good! I have a friend in the States who has made me fried okra when I’ve visited. I never had it with yogurt sauce, though.
Beth Pierce
You should try it. It is delicious!
Kimberleigh A
Your Southern fried okra with jalapeno yogurt sauce recipe was a mouthwatering twist on a classic dish! The crispy okra paired with the zesty jalapeno yogurt sauce created a flavor explosion. I love how you’ve taken a traditional Southern favorite and elevated it with a spicy kick. Can’t wait to share this recipe with my sister, she is a huge okra fan.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kimberleigh! I hope she enjoys it as much as you do!
Irina
I will make it tonight as a snack while watching movies. Your recipe sounds amazingly delicious. 🙂