Frying Frozen Okra: A Quick, Crispy Treat

If you're looking for a delicious and crispy treat, then look no further than fried okra! This Southern delicacy is the perfect side dish or appetizer, and can be made in a variety of ways. Whether you prefer a light coating of flour or a crispy cornmeal crust, fried okra is a tasty and addictive snack that's hard to stop eating once you've popped a few in your mouth. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to make the perfect frozen fried okra using a deep fryer. So get ready to indulge in some mouth-watering, golden-brown treats that will leave you wanting more!

How to prepare the okra

Okra is a versatile vegetable that can be used in many dishes, from stews and gumbo to crispy fried snacks. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare the okra for a deep fryer:

Preparing the Okra:

• Start by selecting the right okra pods. Look for fresh, bright green pods that are similar in size, about 3 inches long. Avoid larger pods as they tend to be fibrous and tough.
• Wash the okra thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt. You can also use a fruit and vegetable wash if needed.
• Cut off the stem ends of the okra pods.
• Slice each okra pod into pieces of uniform thickness. For fried okra, slices between 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick are ideal.
• At this stage, you can choose to use the okra fresh, or you can freeze it for later use. To freeze, spread the sliced okra on a baking sheet in a single layer and place it in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the okra to a freezer-safe container or bag.
• If you are using frozen okra, completely thaw it before proceeding. Pat the okra slices dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

Breading the Okra:

• Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls or containers.
• In the first bowl, place all-purpose flour. You can season the flour with salt, pepper, and any desired spices like cayenne, garlic powder, or Cajun seasoning.
• In the second bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs. The buttermilk adds flavour and helps the breading stick to the okra.
• In the third bowl, combine cornmeal, additional flour (if desired), and any seasonings. Cornmeal gives the fried okra a crispy texture, and you can use either yellow or white cornmeal.
• Dip each okra slice first in the flour, then in the buttermilk mixture, and finally in the cornmeal mixture. Make sure each slice is evenly coated at each step. You can use a fork or your hands to ensure an even coating.

Frying the Okra:

• Heat oil in a deep fryer, electric skillet, or heavy-bottomed pot to 375°F (190°C). Use a frying thermometer to ensure the oil is at the correct temperature.
• Carefully place the breaded okra slices into the hot oil in small batches. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain the oil temperature.
• Fry the okra for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it turns golden brown. Keep a close eye on the okra as it can go from golden to burnt very quickly.
• Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to remove the fried okra from the oil, allowing excess oil to drip back into the pot.
• Place the fried okra on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
• Sprinkle the okra with a pinch of salt while it is still hot, and serve immediately.

Enjoy your crispy, golden fried okra as a snack, appetizer, or side dish!

How to make the batter

Ingredients

You will need okra, buttermilk, flour, cornmeal, salt, and spices. You can also add an egg to help the batter stick to the okra. For spices, you can use paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, or garlic powder.

Preparation

Start by letting your frozen okra thaw out a bit. Rinse the okra and lay it out on some paper towels to dry. Next, drizzle the buttermilk over the okra and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings, such as onion powder, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper for a bit of heat.

Battering

Now it's time to batter the okra. Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the okra and use your hands to toss and coat the pieces. Next, sprinkle in the cornmeal, making sure the pieces don't stick together. You can use yellow or white cornmeal, whichever you have on hand.

Frying

Heat about 1/4 inch of oil in a deep pot to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use vegetable oil, avocado oil, peanut oil, or canola oil. Fry 10 pieces of okra at a time for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the okra from the oil with a slotted spoon and place it on paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Sprinkle with parsley if desired, then serve.

How to fry the okra

There are a few different ways to fry okra, but the most common method is to coat it in a batter and then deep fry it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fry okra:

Step 1: Prepare the Okra

Start by cutting off the stem ends of the okra pods. Look for similar-sized pods to ensure even cooking. Then, slice the pods into pieces. For frying, it is recommended to cut the okra into 3/4-inch thick pieces. If using frozen okra, make sure to completely thaw it and pat it dry with a towel to remove excess moisture.

Step 2: Make the Batter

In one bowl, combine buttermilk with a small amount of flour. You can also add seasonings to the buttermilk, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. In a separate bowl, prepare the dry batter by mixing all-purpose flour, cornmeal, and any desired seasonings. You can also use a combination of cornmeal and breadcrumbs for an extra crispy coating.

Step 3: Coat the Okra

Dip the sliced okra pieces in the wet batter, making sure they are completely coated. Then, dredge them in the dry batter, ensuring an even coating. You can also use a flour-egg-cornmeal coating method, where you dip the okra in flour, then beaten eggs, and finally in cornmeal.

Step 4: Heat the Oil

Heat about 1-2 inches of oil in a deep pot, electric skillet, or a deep-fat fryer to 375°F. You can use vegetable oil, avocado oil, peanut oil, or canola oil, as these oils have a high smoke point, which is ideal for deep frying.

Step 5: Fry the Okra

Carefully place the battered okra pieces into the hot oil. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause the oil temperature to drop. Fry the okra for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until it turns golden brown. Use a spider strainer or slotted spoon to remove the cooked okra and place it on paper towels to drain the excess oil.

Step 6: Season and Serve

Sprinkle the fried okra with a pinch of salt and any desired seasonings while it is still hot. Serve the crispy okra as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. Enjoy!

Tips for the perfect fried okra

Selecting Okra

When selecting okra, always opt for smaller, uniformly green pods. Larger pods tend to be more fibrous and tough. Fresh okra is best for frying, but frozen okra can work in a pinch. If using frozen okra, be sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry to remove excess moisture.

Breading

For the breading, you can use a combination of flour and cornmeal, or cornmeal alone. Cornmeal gives the okra a crispier texture. If you want your okra to have a kick, add some cayenne pepper to the flour mixture. You can also experiment with different seasonings like Cajun spice, blackened seasoning, or garlic powder.

Frying

Use a thermometer to ensure the oil stays within the right temperature range. It should be around 370-375°F when you start frying, but be careful not to let it drop below 350-360°F. If you don't have a thermometer, you can test if the oil is hot enough by dropping a small pinch of flour into the oil. If it sizzles, it's ready. Fry the okra in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and maintain the oil temperature.

Serving

Fried okra is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with dipping sauces like remoulade, ranch, or aioli. It pairs well with other Southern dishes like collard greens, mac and cheese, or smothered pork chops.

How to reheat frozen fried okra

To reheat frozen fried okra, you can use an air fryer, an oven, or a deep-fat fryer.

Reheating Frozen Fried Okra in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
• Place the leftover fried okra in the air fryer.
• Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, until warmed through.

Reheating Frozen Fried Okra in an Oven:

• Place the okra on a baking sheet and put it in an oven preheated to 350 degrees.
• Reheat for about 15 minutes.
• Some oil may be released from the okra, so be sure to drain it on paper towels before serving.

Reheating Frozen Fried Okra in a Deep-Fat Fryer:

• In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat 1 inch of oil to 375°F.
• Fry the breaded okra, a few pieces at a time, for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
• Drain the fried okra on paper towels.

It is worth noting that, like most fried foods, okra tastes best fresh. However, if you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Frequently asked questions