Crispy Fried Okra Recipe

Recipe developer Susan Olayinka brings us this crispy fried okra recipe. If you're not familiar with it, okra is a plant that is popular in Southern American cooking and high in nutrients like antioxidants, according to Healthline. Many people get their first taste of okra in gumbo, though there are many ways to enjoy it, and this fried variation is just a single example. You could toss it in a stew or even pickle okra — the possibilities are endless!

When cooking vegetables, Olayinka swears by the most humble of ingredients: salt. She notes that "salt is the secret to make any vegetable taste great!" Olayinka adds that while simple, "this is probably a Friday night or weekend dish" since you'll be frying up the okra. If frying in your kitchen intimidates you, don't worry — this easy recipe will guide you through the process. In less than 10 minutes, you can fry up perfectly crispy okra that makes for the perfect snack.

For this recipe, you will need fresh okra, vegetable oil, salt, and black pepper. That's it!

To start, you will need to prepare the okra. First, wash the fresh okra in a colander in the sink. Then, cut off the top and the tail of each piece.

Now, slice the okra into ½-inch thick pieces. Place the sliced okra into a medium-sized bowl and season with salt and pepper, then give this mixture a toss to combine.

Place a large skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and cook until shimmering. Add the okra to the hot skillet in a single layer, and make sure to not overcrowd the okra so that it can evenly cook. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, then flip each okra piece. Continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Then remove from the oil once golden and crispy.

This crispy okra makes for a great side dish or snack, though Olayinka notes that it also "pairs really well with any type of grain like rice."