My honey grows okra in the backyard, which I adore. It means, however, that we are bringing in five or so pods per day or two once the season begins.

For his birthday, I made a gumbo which I do not document for posterity, but may repeat in the future. Bhibdi Masala is definitely in our future, and I need to practice my Egyptian okra casserole if I manage to get into Okrapalooza as a cook. But my absolute favorite is fried okra.

Since I am trying to be healthier, I did not want to deep fry my food, so I figured oven-fry it. As I had multiple cheat days instead of one due to a funk passing around my house and my laziness at that time, I went Paleo, but I will also provide my favorite coating for your use.

Paleo Oven-Fried Okra (Sides) serves 4

• 1/4 cup arrowroot
• 1-1/2 tbsp coconut flour
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1-1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 tbsp ghee or coconut oil, melted
• 1 lb okra, sliced into 1/2-1″ pieces

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Mix flours and spices in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, toss okra in ghee.
4. Add okra to spice bowl and toss.
5. Place on cookie sheet and bake 25 minutes. 

This was tasty, but not in the slightest crispy, which is mandatory to my mind. It was moist. Major disappointment that led to a month-long delay to my okra post, while Papa Satyr grew more okra.

Now, however, I have perfected my fried methodology, having made two batches, so am glad for the delay.

Paleo and Keto Fried Okra (Sides, Serves 4)

• 1-lb cut okra
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk beverage, unsweetened
• 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed
• 1/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1-2 cups ghee, lard, duck fat, or schmaltz
• Salt

1.  Put okra in medium bowl and cover with milk and lemon juice. Mix and let sit 10 minutes.
2. Add flours and spices and mix. Let sit to soak up liquids.
3. Heat 2″ of fat in a heavy pan to 350°F over medium-high heat. Pre-heat oven to 250°.
4. Working in small batches, fry okra 1 cup at a time, breaking up large clumps.
5. Remove okra to a pan lined with paper towels, when a dark, golden brown. Salt lightly while still hot and wet.   Place pan in oven.
6. Bring temperature back to 350°F before adding next batch. If oil reaches 375°F or greater remove from heat until it drops to 350°F.
7. Repeat fry until finished. Do not do more than 1 cup okra at a time. Return pan to oven after adding okra to it each time to maintain warm crispness.
8. Enjoy with hot sauce and/or homemade seasoned vinegar of choice.

This is seriously good sh!t and I highly recommend it just like this but if alternative flours offend you, go with my old recipe.

Fried Okra (Sides, Serves 4)

• 1-lb cut okra
• 1 1/2 cups  buttermilk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup corn meal
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1-2 cups vegetable oil
• Salt

1.  Put okra in medium bowl and cover with milk and lemon juice. Mix and let sit 10 minutes.
2. Add flours and spices and mix. Let sit to soak up liquids.
3. Heat 2″ of fat in a heavy pan to 350°F over medium-high heat. Pre-heat oven to 250°.
4. Working in small batches, fry okra 1 cup at a time, breaking up large clumps.
5. Remove okra to a pan lined with paper towels, when a dark, golden brown. Salt lightly while still hot and wet. Place pan in oven.
6. Bring temperature back to 350°F before adding next batch. If oil reaches 375°F or greater remove from heat until it drops to 350°F.
7. Repeat fry until finished Do not do more than 1 cup okra at a time. Return pan to oven after adding okra to it each time to maintain warm crispness.
8. Enjoy with hot sauce and/or malt vinegar.

Not as healthy, but damn tasty and the procedure is exactly the same.

Pro-Tip: Do not over fill the pot in your haste to be done and eat. You will ruin the okra or anything else you fry by driving the temperature down. If you are starving, sample the product.

Yes, you can use frozen cut okra if your partner doesn’t grow it in the back yard, but considering how easy it is, you might want to consider it.