Smashed Fried Okra is tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside – just the way I like it.
Okra – it’s one of those southern foods that you love, hate or have to ask someone, “What is okra?” There is no middle ground!
Okra is a green flowering plant. It belongs in the same plant family as cotton and hibiscus. The seed pods are edible and are one of my favorite summertime foods.
My husband despises it in any shape or form. I happen to be in love with okra. I’ve never liked harvesting it by cutting it from the stalk. It itches so badly!
But, I adore okra sliced, dipped in seasoned cornmeal mix and fried crispy brown. I also happen to like it boiled in a pot of freshly picked peas. I know it’s slimy, but hey, I like it. Period.
Smashed Fried Okra
Have you ever tried smashed fried okra! It’s whole okra pods, smashed with a meat mallet, dipped in buttermilk, seasoned cornmeal and fried. Of course, I have to try it!
My Children “Borrowed” My Meat Mallet
I haven’t seen my meat mallet since my kids were small. I caught them outside making mud pies with my meat mallet. So I improvised by using my small hammer wrapped up in a freezer bag. Don’t judge me. It worked beautifully!
When I added the Kosher salt and pepper, I also sprinkled in a little cayenne pepper and garlic powder to give it a little extra kick. I’m a little extra kick kind of person!
Was it a hit or a miss?
I insisted that my husband take one bite – just one! He said it was OK and would be better if it didn’t have seeds in it. (Note to hubby: Then it wouldn’t be okra, would it?)
My daughter declared that it was high-end upscale restaurant quality and would be amazing served as an appetizer with homemade ranch dressing or a spicy dip!
It’s definitely a keeper. (If it’s restaurant quality, does that make me a chef???)
I absolutely loved it! I’ll never slice okra again! Well, maybe every once in a while. What a time saver that I had never thought of!
It’s crunchy, spicy, and a little soft in the middle. It’s the perfect appetizer or side dish and I’ll definitely make it again. And again. And again.
It was a big hit and my husband needs to learn to eat his veggies! 🙂
I found the original recipe over at Southern Living. I added my own twist, like additional spices and I’m in love with this okra.
Smashed Fried Okra
Smashed Okra is a twist on regular fried okra. It's crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh okra (small pods)
- 1-1/2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups cornmeal
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- Garlic powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Canola or peanut oil for frying
Instructions
- Use a meat mallet to smash okra, starting at the tip of the pod and working down. Be careful not to smash it to pieces. Sprinkle the okra lightly with salt, pepper, garlic, and cayenne pepper.
- Place cornmeal in a shallow dish. Add buttermilk to another dish. Dip okra in buttermilk and dredge in cornmeal, shaking off excess.
- In a large skillet or dutch oven, add 2 inches oil. Heat to 350º. Fry okra in batches, 2-3 minutes or until brown and crispy, turning once.
- Remove okra and drain on paper towels before serving.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 212Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 2mgSodium 233mgCarbohydrates 38gFiber 5gSugar 5gProtein 7g
40 comments
You are definitely a chef and I am making smashed okra as soon as we grow some in the garden! Thanks for letting me know it’s an itchy plant to pick. We are new to “farming” and I need all the tips I can get! 😉
~ Ashley
My parents always had a huge garden (still do) when I was growing up and I hated picking okra! But I’ve always loved the taste of it! You can’t let it get too big because the bigger it gets the more tougher it gets and becomes unedible. 🙂
I’m just ok with fried okra but not going to eat it any other way. Someone else has to fry it though 🙂 I do like to put okra in my homemade vegetable soup and don’t mind, maybe all of the boiling makes the slime go away.LoL
I Pinned this to my Good Eats board for others to see.
Fried okra is one of those foods (like fried oysters) that has to be eaten as soon as it’s cooked. I don’t like it cold at all.
My husband would absolutely love this.
Let me know if you make it and if your husband likes it.
The Smith House loves fried okra, so this is a MUST TRY for me– looks great 🙂
I just can’t believe I’ve never thought about doing it like this – so much easier.
This looks so good! We love fried okra in our house!
Yes! An okra loving family!
I live in Georgia, so I should say that I eat Okra all of the time, but that’s not the truth. This looks simple enough! I love the taste of it, so I’m going to give it a try!
So, so easy!
This would be a miss for me since I don’t like okra and fried foods but Mr. M would love this so it would be a hit for him!
I don’t normally eat fried foods, Louida, but every once in a while I have to eat a little fried okra . . .:)
I love fried okra! Even my husband who doesn’t like green veggies will eat fried okra dipped in horsey sauce! I’m going to have to try this recipe.
Oh, yeah! Dipping sauce makes everything better!
Miss with me, but my parents would enjoy this recipe! I’m a firm okra-hater XD
You and my husband would get along just fine. He hates it, too!
This is………….amazing and so interesting! I am in awe and will pin and will try this.. BTW.. your pics look much better than the original okra link… My great aunt grew okra and I LOVED going out and picking some and taking it home.. Oh ya…
Why, you’re my new BFF, Aimee! I never knew to just smash the heck out of it, batter and fry it. 🙂
Hmmm…I don’t know about this. I love fried okra so the next time you make this I’ll try it. Did the boys try it? Lol
I made it late Sunday afternoon, Rebekah! I figured they would turn their nose up at it. 🙂
Now this looks like a great idea! I can’t eat anything fried like this, but my hubby would LOVE it! I’ll have to give it a try for him!
Kristen, I don’t normally eat fried foods at all, but I have to take one for the team every once in a while on my Hit or Miss! 🙂
I admit: I have never tried okra! You have inspired me though
Let me know if you like it!
I am one of those who has to ask “What is okra?”. Even though I know what it is, but have never tried one. It is a warm weather crop (a thing for the south), so I figured that I better do not like okra otherwise I would have to grow it in my already overcrowded greenhouse. But you make me curious to try, looks so yummy!
It is yummy, Anna and I’ve been eating it as long as I can remember. It can be bought frozen, but fresh it always better!
The okra was very tasty and the smashing was fun, too!
I’ll be right over! I try not to eat fried foods very often, but I mean, really? A southerner has to eat something fried once or twice a year.
I’ll be more than happy to share! I’ve had the grands all week, but tomorrow they will be going back home. I’ll need a party! 🙂
Glad I’m not the only one without a meat mallet! 🙂
I love fried okra! I’ve never had it smashed, but can’t wait to try it. Thanks for the recipe!!
It was kinda fun smashing that okra with the hammer.
I need to make this for my Nonnie! She loves okra!
That would be so sweet!
Oh, yeah, I love it that way, too and in vegetable soup.
I have never had okra, but I’m sure I would love it if it’s fried and has ranch dressing! 😉 It looks like an appetizer from a restaurant, so yes, you are a chef!
Thanks for the vote of confidence! You must try okra one of these days! It’s so good (at least to me – the hubs hates it). 🙂
I really love this smashed fried okra.. Specifically the your own additional twist to this recipe and its cool. I am sure that my family will love this! Thanks for sharing.