Fried okra is a classic southern dish. It is a crispy and addicting easy snack or appetizer recipe. A cajun dipping sauce gives it the perfect amount of kick!
I think Okra kind of gets a bad rap. Sometimes when I ask if people like it, I get funny faces and then responses like “But it’s slimy”. And slimy is not really something that you want associated with food. And while Okra can be kind of slimy if it’s not cooked right, fried okra, in all of it’s crispy fried goodness, is down right addicting.
We’re talking “popping it in your mouth like it’s popcorn” addicting. It’s right up there in the “can’t stop eating this” category with my crunchy jalapeno bites.
Ingredients you’ll need:
- OKRA: For this fried okra recipe, I used frozen okra. Frozen okra seems to be a little bit easier to find in my neck of the woods. My grocery store carries the fresh stuff every once in a blue moon, but for the most part, frozen is where I have to turn. If you have to use frozen okra too, just make sure that you thaw it first
- FLOUR: This is going to give the buttermilk something to stick to.
- BUTTERMILK: This is going to stick to the flour which will make the perfect piece for the panko to stick to.
- PANKO BREAD CRUMBS: Traditionally, fried okra is made with cornmeal. I prefer to use panko bread crumbs as they give the perfect amount of crunch to any fried food. (It’s my secret to the best ever fried cod!)
- SALT/CAJUN SEASONING/GRANULATED GARLIC: this is what I use to season the panko. The cajun seasoning can add a bit of a kick so you can leave it out if you prefer. You can make your own with my Cajun seasoning recipe.
- OIL: For frying. I prefer to use a neutral, less expensive oil when I’m deep frying. You’re using so much and you don’t really need to taste it so save your expensive oils for other things. I use canola, vegetable or peanut.
You may be wondering what to dip okra in, and while it’s great on it’s own, I made a dip to serve along side. Here’s what you’ll need:
- MAYONNAISE: It adds a bit of oil to the sauce which helps smooth it out.
- SOUR CREAM: Where most of the creaminess comes from.
- CAJUN SEASONING: Again, this will add a bit of heat. You can use blackening seasoning as well which will still have a lot of Cajun flavor but less heat.
- SALT: Just to taste. Some Cajun seasoning blends have salt while others do not.
Step by Step Photos and Instructions:
Fried Okra follows the basic assembly line set up as all of my favorite fried food recipes. You’ll need a plate with the flour, a bowl with the buttermilk and a plate with the seasoned panko. It’s super easy once you get the hang of it but follow along with these step by step photos to see my process.
Make the sauce. 
Dredge panko in flour. 
Dip in buttermilk. 
Press into panko. 
Fry okra until golden brown.
- STEP #1: If you’re making the dip, I like to make it first so that the flavors have a chance to meld.
- STEP #2: Dredge the okra pieces in flour. Shake off any excess.
- STEP #3: Dip the flour coated okra pieces into the buttermilk. Use a fork to help drain off the excess.
- STEP #4: Dredge the okra pieces into the seasoned panko.
- STEP #5: Fry the oil at 350 degrees. Depending on the size of your pot you may need to do this part in batches. You don’t want to over crowd the pan. Season to taste with salt and serve with dipping sauce.
Storage and Leftovers:
Since this is fried, you’ll want to serve this right away as leftovers don’t really hold up that well.
Recipe FAQ:
You’ll often see the term “Fry in batches” when you’re looking at recipes. This is done to help prevent over-crowding the pan which will lower the heat of the oil. When you over-crowd the pan, fried food will stem rather than fry and will be less crispy.
Panko bread crumbs are a Japanese style of bread crumbs. They are crispier than traditional bread crumbs.
Okra has a sweet, grassy flavor. It can be used as a thickener in some recipes or served fried like in this one.
So if you’ve got people in your life that are unsure about okra, make them this fried okra recipe, you’re sure to change some minds!
More southern food favorites:
Southern Style Green Beans Recipe
Note: this post was originally written in 2016. It was updated in 2022 with new photos, step by step photos and nutrition information.
Servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups sliced okra (thawed if frozen)
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning (optional)
- oil for frying
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Set up an assembly line: Place flour on a plate. Pour buttermilk in a bowl. Combine panko bread crumbs, garlic, salt and cajun seasoning together on another plate.
- Dredge the okra in the flour. Dip the the buttermilk, let excess drip off. Dredge okra in panko bread crumb mixture. Repeat until all okra is coated.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1/2 inch oil to 350 degrees. Once oil reaches temperature, fry orka, in batches if necessary until golden brown. About 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer okra to a paper towel lined plate. Sprinkle with salt.
- To make dipping sauce whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise and cajun seasoning. Season to taste with salt.
- Serve okra with dipping sauce.
Thanks for the tips, Sandra!
If I have fresh okra,all I do is wash it, cut it up and then squeeze it until it becomes squishy and then dredge in panko. It’s so much easier and doesn’t make a lot of mess. Tastes the same. Also, you can buy it frozen, already breaded in a bag at Food Lion.
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I am yet to do this time is limited but will try to come Sunday
Ok I have definitely been one of those ‘isn’t it slimy’ people for years now…this has definitely convinced me to give okra another try! Looks amazing
I’ve never had fried orka before but these look and sound amazing especially with that dip! :D
This is our type of dish — although we haven’t fried okra we’ve done enough green tomatoes. Those are our special treat. We’ll have to try out the okra. Like you, we don’t find fresh too often around here. It sounds delicious.
I am not a fan of okra in any form, but these look so crispy and delicious. Also, I’m looking at your habanero sauce video and it looks like it can do some serious heat damage. It looks good though.
This looks like such a fun recipe and I love the kick from the cajun seasoning. I would probably eat these like popcorn!
Fried okra is a favorite of mine and you can find it everywhere in the south! The hubs always asks me to make them, especially for game day. I might just have to whip up a batch for the big game tomorrow. So sad to see the Saints didn’t make it, though.
Whenever I’m driving home (to DC) from the Eastern Shore during the summer months I try to stop at as many produce stands as possible and there’s always so much okra at each stand! I never buy any because I’ve never cooked with it before, so I’m glad I found this recipe! I’m going to pin this recipe for the next time I have plenty of okra!
I have not had fried okra in years. My mom used to make some. This looks so deliciously crisp. Love how golden they’ve been fried. Now I want to make some.
I have never tried fried okra, but I always hear how good it is. Your recipe is simple and sounds great, I will have to try it!
I came across okra for the first time a couple of years ago when a Turkish friend introduced it to me. I had no idea about this vegetable before – I come from Italy and that was something I had never seen anywhere in my country. I had a chance to taste it when my Turkish firend used it in soup, but never tried my hand at actually using it in my own cooking experiment. This crunchy recipe sounds more appealing than soup :)
Oh yum this looks absolutely delicious! I love your choice of dipping sauce to pair with these, cajun seasoning is one of y favourites. This is a must try for sure!
I’ve never had fried okra before but it looks delicious! Love the sound of the cajun dipping sauce too! Definitely a must-try!
I am going to have to try this out! Love it!
One of my all time favorites!
These looks incredible! So perfect!
Such crispy perfection, these sound yummy!
This would definitely go fast in my house!
The perfect appetizer! Looks so tasty!
How fun!! I love fried okra. Pure comfort!
What a delicious southern comfort food!
I love okras but I still have not seen it in the store. I would love to make something like this. Perfect as an appetizer. It looks great!
I’m all about panko, too! These look SO good. Wish we had okra here!
I agree okra doesn’t get the love it deserves. This recipe would change peoples minds I can tell.
I can never find fresh okra here, but I love it. I buy frozen to cook with, but I’ve never made fried okra. I know I’d love it though. I can’t wait to try this!
It’s crazy, I’ve never had fried okra before! But this looks amazing :D