Southern Fried Okra (Gluten Free)

Southern Fried Okra gluten free

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Southern Fried Okra (Gluten Free)

I don’t usually publish recipes that are just a “dash of this and that” kind of recipes (like this gluten free Southern Fried Okra recipe), mostly because I just don’t think to do it. You know, those old family or quickie recipes you just “know” how to make, but would be hard to tell someone else how to do it? I was chatting with a friend today about a couple of my summer go-to recipes and she asked if they were on my blog so she could go back and make them, too. It struck me because none of these recipes are on my blog. I just make them; I don’t think about it, much less write down measurements or a detailed method. But I should! These are treasures just much as are the slightly more complicated, nicely photographed recipes you find elsewhere on my site.

okra on instagram

So in answer to my friend’s query, as well as calls on Instagram and Facebook for me to share my Southern Fried Okra recipe, I’m sharing this favorite “dash of this and that” recipe that I make nearly every week (ok, sometimes more than once a week) during the summer. It’s really so easy I never thought of writing it down, but I’m happy to share it with you, such as it is. It’s just too delicious not to try!

I grew up enjoying batter fried okra as every good Southern girl does, but I realize most folks have never experienced this treat! In fact, okra has a rather bad rap as a slimy, odd vegetable that no one really knows how to cook properly. I love okra in stews, jambalaya, ratatouille, and other cajun dishes, but this popcorn-style gluten free fried okra I’ve devised with a dusting of my gfJules Flour is my true favorite. It’s not heavy at all, and the salty okra flavor really shines through. Often I’ll make it while I’m making dinner and just munch my way through the okra as I cook. I doesn’t usually make it to the table (true confessions).

More on Okraokra comment

My favorite comment to my latest post on Southern Fried Okra was from a reader I know as Esqcbo. He’s a Southern gentleman and shares my love of many traditional dishes, so I always look forward to his take on recipes like this. See how he responds to other commenters who doubt the merits of the mighty okra:

I can honestly say I’ve sprinkled this Southern Fried Okra on pizza, and I’ve also put it on top of Pad Thai, on salads (in place of croutons), and of course, as if it was a bowl of popcorn. This stuff is addictively yummy and so easy to pop in your mouth while you’re cooking dinner. I mentioned that part already, right?

Anyway, for all you okra haters, doubters and scaredy cats … I challenge you to try my okra recipe. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s definitely not slimy. It’s a piece of Southern heaven.

Southern Fried Okra (Gluten Free)

Southern Fried Okra (Gluten Free)

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1-2 Tbs. olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1-2 pounds okra (choose small, tender okra, not large ones -- those can be tough)
  • sea salt
  • cracked black pepper
  • 2 Tbs - 1/4 cup gfJules™ Gluten Free All Purpose Flour

Instructions

Depending on the type of pan you're using, you may need more or less oil. Heat to medium-high only enough oil to lightly coat the pan -- this is not a deep fry recipe.

Wash and cut the caps and tips off the okra, then slice (as pictured) to about 1/4-1/2 inch thick pieces. Transfer to hot oil. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on top of the pieces and toss. Allow to cook until the edges get a bit browned, then toss in enough of my gfJules Flour to lightly coat the pieces.

You should still be able to see the green of the okra showing through. Continue to cook until the flour is lightly browned. Taste, and add more salt and pepper if desired. I tend to like a lot on mine, but everyone's taste is different; you can always add more, but you can't take it away.

Total cook time should be around 8-12 minutes, depending on how full your pan is and the type of pan used. Remove from heat and serve immediately, or just nibble while you're cooking the rest of dinner.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment (and maybe even a picture!) below or share a photo on Instagram! Be sure to tag me! @gfJules

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!

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Southern Fried Okra by gfJules is quick, easy, and addictive!

 

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    • Hi Tommy, hopefully you do try the recipe for southern fried okra sometime, as it’s really good!
      The information about my gfJules Flour is so that folks know what I used to develop this recipe and what makes it taste crispy and not oily, as lots of gluten free flours tend to not crisp up.
      Most people reading gluten free recipes really do want to know what ingredients to use to make the recipes turn out just like they’re pictured, and what to pick for the best outcomes so they don’t waste their time and energy and money on the wrong products. I hope that explains why there’s information about my gfJules Flour in the lead-up to the recipe.
      ~jules

      Reply
  1. I’m a 5th generation Texan, both my great greats, great and grands were homesteaders. My grandmother was one fo 9 and my grandfather one of 8. When we have family reunions in McKenzie Park in Lubbock, there are hundreds of people. A big bunch of long time Southerners. I’ve never heard of using anything except cornmeal for fried okra.

    Like you, my grandmother just showed me. No recipe. 1 egg, wisked to an even yellow color, salted and peppered. Okra washed, then cut in smallish disks, patted dry on a towel. Drop the okra in the egg, then in the cornmeal. Then pan fried to a crispy, golden brown–heaven!

    Reply
  2. Great recipe! I am from the Heart of Dixie…..and I’m pretty sure Okra seeds are still in my body from my childhood!. Okra is an international love affair. During my first deployment to Iraq in 2003 I discovered that Iraqis love okra too! I discovered it in their Red Soup….they call it bomia (bomb-ee-yah). Instant connection that led to great relationships. Thanks for the GF okra tip!

    JM

    Reply
    • First of all, thank you for your service, JM!
      I’m glad to know a fellow okra lover, and glad to hear about the connection in Iraqi recipes! I’ll have to look that one up! Indian food has a lot of okra dishes, too. Bindi Masala is one of my favorites!!!
      ~jules

      Reply
  3. Great, simple and tasty. I love stewed okra, this crunch and no slimy as you stated. The two cooking techniques provide for a variety of tastes and textures, I would love to try a recipe for Jambalaya (hint – hint). Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Jules,
    I just prepared our fried okra strictly by your recipe, which was not only delicious but also healthy. I really enjoyed using only a T of olive oil.
    As you may remember, Sweet Wife was born and raised in CA and ABQ, which woefully deprived her of many of our Southern delicacies during her formative years. Usually my cooking doesn’t meet her level of expertise, but she even enjoyed “seconds” of my fried okra, under your direction of course, and still maintained her girlish figure.
    Thanks, as always, for sharing your treasured recipes.
    EsqCBo

    Reply
    • Makes me smile to hear it, EsqCBo, for sure! From one southerner to another, so glad you tried it and both you and your Sweet Wife enjoyed!
      ~jules

      Reply
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