"Neo funk" Crispy Southern Fried Okra

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Southern Fried Okra at its finest. 5 ingredients cooked in only 5 minutes of neo funk!

If you are a fan of classic comfort foods, then this southern fried okra recipe is for you! Okra has been a popular soul food side dish throughout the South for hundreds of years, and we're here to show you how to make it perfectly crispy and delicious every single time! Get that cast-iron skillet or deep fryer ready.

If I'm having fried food, then I'm going to say deep fryer do it right. ''Fried right' for me is a proper crust that is crispy and has a clean, non-greasy finish. Straight-up I love fried okra soul food style, but I can't eat everybody's version. Rarely do I come across fried okra that is crunchy. They're usually soft and soggy with a thick breaded exterior. That's anything but righteous!

A typical Southern fried okra recipe calls for cornmeal. I personally avoid cornmeal in this recipe. In my humble opinion food fried in cornmeal taste more like cornmeal vs. the actual food that's being fried. If I got farm fresh okra, then I want my fried okra to taste like frickin okra. I'm all about that new funk da fried!

The key to light and flaky fried okra with serious crisp lies in the use of two ingredients, eggs and rice flour. Eggs shouldn't be a surprise given its frequently used as fried chicken recipes. The trick in this recipe is to allow the okra to soak in the beaten eggs for a spell.

A good coating of beaten eggs makes for a dredge that sticks to the whole okra and doesn't fall apart after a bite. This isn't a big deal when you're eating small round fried pieces of okra aka "Southern popcorn" but when you cut them into lengthwise like fries you notice.

Beats and Eats (Music to pair with fried okra)

Okra is a classic soul food dish typically requiring some good old school soul music. But this recipe is somewhat of a twist add some new jack technique to it. I thought Pete Rock's "Neo Funk" made sense given he brings an updated sound using that classic SP1200 instrumentation to make some fresh beats.

Ingredients Needed for Deep Fried Okra

• Fresh okra
• Eggs
• Corn starch
• Rice flour
• Creole seasoning (garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, paprika, cayenne, dried thyme)
• Vegetable or peanut oil

How to Deep Fry Okra (step by step)

Prepare Okra

With a sharp knife, halve okra pods long ways

Beat eggs well in a bowl and add a teaspoon of kosher salt

Soak okra halves in the egg wash (use your hands to mix egg mixture into the okra well). Set aside.

Prepare Dredge

Mix corn starch, rice flour, and creole spice mix well in a medium bowl.

Let the marinade drain off the okra then dredge them in corn starch and rice flour mixture. Be sure to coat okra wellUse your hands to pack the coating on

Let the breaded okra slices sit on a cooling rack for as much time as you have as this will help crust stay intact

Pan Fry or Deep Fry The Okra

Pre-heat vegetable oil to 375 degrees whether using a pan or deep fryer. To make pan fried okra I prefer to use a cast iron skillet or dutch oven.

Add breaded okra to the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes each side then using a slotted spoon remove and let cool on a rack or paper towel lined plate. Season again and then enjoy with your favorite hot sauce or dipping sauce.

What To Serve With Southern Fried Okra

Southern fried okra is a delicious side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. Here are a few ideas for what to serve with homemade Southern fried okra:

1. Fried chicken: Southern fried okra is a classic side dish for fried chicken. Serve it alongside crispy, juicy fried chicken for a perfect Southern-style meal.
2. Barbecue: Southern fried okra is also a great accompaniment to barbecue. Serve it with pulled pork, brisket, or ribs for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
3. Burgers: Pair Southern fried okra with a juicy smashburger for a delicious and filling meal. Add some cheese, lettuce, tomato, and your favorite condiments to complete the burger.
4. Grilled meats: Southern fried okra also goes well with grilled meats like steak, chicken, or pork chops. Serve it with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a well-rounded meal.
5. Mac and cheese: For a classic Southern-style meal, serve Southern fried okra with creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. This is a perfect comfort food combo that will satisfy any craving.
6. Cornbread: Southern fried okra and cornbread are a match made in heaven. Serve them together for a flavorful and filling meal.

No matter what you serve with Southern fried okra, be sure to enjoy this delicious and crispy side dish while it's still hot and fresh out of the fryer.

Cooking tips, considerations, and substitutions for Perfect Fried Okra

• Rinse your okra well, then chop it into small, bite-sized pieces if you aren't a fan of longer halves.
• Let the okra soak in the beaten eggs for 30 minutes or more.
• Pre-season the flour mixture and then season the okra after frying
• Use your hands to ensure okra is coated evenly, but if you prefer a less messy approach place okra in a paper bag with the dredge and shake well.
• Do not use corn meal if you like actually tasting the okra flavor.
• For other ways to cook okra use my okra guide.
• Pair this soul food classic with popular soul food meats to round out your menu or maybe comforting fried pork chops.

How To Avoid Slimy Okra?

Fried okra can sometimes become slimy and unappetizing when cooked, especially if it's not prepared properly. Here are a few tips to help you avoid a slimy texture when cooking fried okra:

1. Use fresh okra: Fresh okra is less likely to become slimy than frozen okra, which has already been blanched before freezing. Choose firm, unblemished okra pods that are small to medium-sized.
2. Dry the okra thoroughly: Before breading the okra, make sure it's completely dry to prevent excess moisture from causing it to become slimy. Pat the okra dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
3. Use a hot oil temperature: Heat the oil to 350-375°F (175-190°C) before adding the breaded okra. This will help the okra cook quickly and evenly, and prevent it from becoming slimy.
4. Fry the okra in small batches: Fry the breaded okra in small batches to prevent the oil temperature from dropping too much, which can cause the okra to become slimy.

By following these tips, you can avoid a slimy texture when cooking fried okra and enjoy a delicious and crispy Southern-style side dish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Frying Okra

Why should I use rice flour?

Rice flour is popular in Asian cuisine for its light and crispy properties. If you've ever had Japanese tempura (especially green beans) at your favorite sushi joint or even the crazy popular Korean fried chicken then you know what I'm talking about.

Basically, if you want a light batter, (and you definitely should!) then rice flour is the way to go and this updated Southern fried okra recipe is perfect for your first or second rice flour recipe. The great thing about rice flour is it absorbs much less oil than normal wheat flour during the frying process, which explains why these fried okra have that clean aka less oily finish.

There is also the extra benefit of fewer calories all things considered. The last thing I will say in favor of rice flour is that it doesn't mask the delicious okra flavor like cornmeal per se.

Is Rice Flour gluten-free?

For my friends impacted by celiac disease and/or gluten intolerance, rice flour is the ticket to enjoying the finer things like fried food. Rice flour tends to brown fast relative to normal flour, but this isn't much of an issue with smaller vegetables like okra. If you're one who likes a dredge featuring a blend of starch and flour, rice flour works equally as well with corn starch as wheat flour does. Corn starch is gluten-free as well. And if you don't know, now you know that no gluten equals more crispiness.

Is fried okra slimy?

No, fried okra is not slimy. High heat cooking methods like grilling and frying kill the slime! For those of you looking for slime-free tips for cooking okra in non-high heat ways follow tips in this okra salad recipe.

What's the best breading for deep-fried okra?

There are a few options for breading when it comes to deep-fried okra, depending on your personal preference and dietary restrictions. Here are three options:

1. Cornmeal breading: This is a classic breading for Southern-style fried okra. To make it, mix together equal parts cornmeal and all-purpose flour, then season with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices (such as paprika or cayenne pepper). Dip the okra pieces in beaten egg, then coat in the cornmeal mixture. Fry until golden brown.
2. Panko breading: Panko breadcrumbs will give your fried okra a crispy, crunchy texture. To make the breading, mix together panko breadcrumbs with flour, salt, and pepper. Dip the okra pieces in beaten egg, then coat in the panko mixture. Fry until golden brown.
3. Gluten-free breading: For those who are gluten-free, you can use a mixture of cornmeal and gluten-free flour (such as rice flour or chickpea flour) to coat the okra. You can also use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs if you prefer. Dip the okra pieces in beaten egg, then coat in the gluten-free breading. Fry until golden brown.

Should you soak okra before breading?

It's not necessary to soak raw okra first before breading it for frying, but some people prefer to do so to help remove any slime or stickiness that can be present on the surface of the okra. If you choose to soak your okra, here's how:

1. Wash the okra and trim off the stems.
2. Slice the okra into rounds or cut it into bite-sized pieces.
3. Put the okra into a bowl and cover it with buttermilk or a mixture of milk and vinegar. The acid in the buttermilk or vinegar can help reduce the sliminess of the okra.
4. Let the okra soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to several hours in the refrigerator.
5. Remove the okra from the buttermilk or milk mixture and shake off any excess liquid before breading and frying as desired.

Soaking the okra in buttermilk or milk can also add a nice tangy flavor and help the breading adhere better to the okra. However, if you don't have time to soak the okra or prefer not to, you can still bread and fry it without soaking.

Should you use fresh or frozen okra for southern fried okra?

While fresh okra is always a great choice, frozen okra can also be used for Southern-style fried okra. In fact, many people prefer to use frozen okra because it's often less expensive and more readily available than fresh okra, especially if you're not in a region where okra is grown.

If you're using frozen okra for fried okra, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Thaw the okra: Frozen okra can be used directly from the freezer, but it's best to thaw it first to remove any excess moisture. To thaw frozen okra, simply place it in a colander and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour, or until it's mostly thawed.
2. Dry the okra: After thawing the okra, use paper towels to pat it dry and remove any excess moisture. This will help the breading adhere better to the okra and ensure it gets crispy when fried.
3. Adjust the cooking time: Frozen okra may take a little longer to cook than fresh okra, so be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Fry the okra in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and to ensure it cooks evenly.

In general, using fresh okra will give you the best flavor and texture for Southern-style fried okra, but if you're in a pinch, frozen okra can be a good substitute.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Fried Okra

If you have leftover Southern fried okra, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Here's how to store and reheat it:

1. Let the fried okra cool down to room temperature before storing it. This will prevent it from getting soggy.
2. Store the fried okra in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator.
3. To reheat the fried okra, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the fried okra out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
4. Bake the fried okra in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until it's heated through and crispy again. You can also reheat the fried okra in a toaster oven or air fryer, if you prefer.
5. Serve the reheated fried okra immediately, while it's still hot and crispy.

Note that reheating fried okra in the microwave is not recommended, as it can make it soggy and less crispy. Also, keep in mind that reheated fried okra may not be quite as crispy as when it was freshly fried, but it should still be delicious!

Make Fried Okra

All in all, fried okra is a savory and delicious side dish that can impress any guest. It's the perfect way to bring in the Summer and pay homage to Southern cuisine. This recipe is recipe simple to make, and it's ready in just a few minutes. Crank up the beats and fry up the Summer's best side dish!

If you make this soul food fried okra recipe, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

You can also keep up with my food exploits as well as original recipes! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. If you like any of the music you find on the site, visit me at Spotify to find curated monthly playlists.

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