How to Preserve Okra – Making Fried Okra for the Freezer
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How to Preserve Okra – this is how I make fried okra for the freezer. This method is very simple and is a great way to preserve fresh okra. So, if your wondering how to freeze okra for frying, keep reading!
How to Freeze Okra for Frying
I have a ton of okra in my garden at the moment. We’ve been eating okra almost daily. Fried okra, at that.
I probably would eat it a different way if I happened to like it a different way. I know lots of people like it in gumbos or like to pickle them… but not me.
I like my okra fried!
Okra is a Southern classic and goes with any comforting meal, such as this Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil or my easy meatloaf recipe.
I’ve been putting up quart bags of breaded okra in the freezer for frying for later, and I thought I’d pop on here real quick to show y’all just how I do that.
How do I make fried okra for the freezer?
It’s really super easy. You simply just coat the sliced okra in a flour/cornmeal mixture, flash freeze, & store in bags. I find this to be the best way to freeze okra.
I’ll show you how!
Start by slicing all the okra you plan on using into about 1/4″ thick rounds.
How to Prepare Okra for Freezing
Next, coat the sliced okra in breading. I prefer a half flour/half cornmeal breading on mine.
No exact measurements as the amount depends on how much okra you have. Just enough to fully coat however much okra you have.
You can’t really go wrong because only a certain amount sticks to the okra. I just pour in my cornmeal and then match it with about the same amount of flour just by eye.
You can do this in a large bowl or in a ziploc bag. When I use a large bowl, I place a large plate or pot lid on top and give it a good shake to thoroughly coat the okra.
Or… just shake it inside of a sealed ziploc bag.
Next, use a slotted spoon or your hands to remove the okra from the excess breading.
Place on a large baking sheet in a single layer & pop in the the freezer. You’ll want to freeze it for a couple hours, until the okra is all frozen.
Finally, fill freezer containers or bags with the okra and then place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How do I cook the frozen breaded okra?
When you’re ready to use the okra, fry it in hot oil (like canola or vegetable) while still frozen in hot oil until crispy.
Can I make this fried okra in the air fryer?
Yes! Cook from frozen at 400 in your air fryer basket for 13-17 minutes, or until it is as crispy as you like for it to be.
Hi! I was wondering when you are breading should you dip in a egg/milk mixture before breading or is that not recommended? Thanks 🙂
I just shake mine in a cornmeal/flour mixture. I’ve never dipped them in an egg/milk mixture first.
If you wait to coat it when ready to cook the batter stays on better. Leave it frozen run some water on it then it on cornmeal and flour mix on it. Make Sure The Oil Is Hot And Use Enough. I do flash freeze on cookie sheet first and keep in ziplocks then can pour out what you need
Love this! I grow okra but normally don’t have enough to make a recipe at once. Going to try this in small batches. Thanks!
I like to use egg and buttermilk mixture so it is good and breaded when I fry it. Discovered this secrete is much better than milk!
Hey, I love all the info here to freeze the okra because thank goodness the warm weather we are still having is making a wonderful okra yield. Will be freezing several batches of okra , so we can serve fried okra at Thanksgiving this year. Hope it will taste like it does fresh!
My method of doing fried okra is to take a pound of okra, wash it, drain and pat dry. Cut it 1/2 inch, then in a clean mixer bowl( no grease) Place two egg whites, that are whipped to soft, firm  peaks. Then back to large bowl that contains the cut okra that you have coated with 3 tablespoons of flour and  excess flour removed, you will then stir the beaten egg whites over floured okra so all is covered, and then stir in  a cup and a half of Panko bread crumbs to cover and coat the okra. Fry in batches in plenty of oil that is deep enough to fry quickly and brown, then lift it out with slotted utensil to paper towel lined bowl, then sprinkle with salt, and then I move that cooked batch to a warm pan lined with parchment in a warm oven to keep warm as you finish the rest of the okra. Really wonderful way to prepare fried okra. Hope you all try it
Just received a basket of fresh okra from a friend- I’m going to use your freezing idea- When I fry okra I use cornmeal, GLUTEN FREE all purpose flour, salt, pepper, a bit of chili powder- coat well and air fry! Oh so yummy! Hoping this combo will freeze well, too.
I love okra, in all it’s forms! Weirdly, I craved okra when I was pregnant with my second child but by the time I cooked it, the thought of eating it made me queasy, lol! A lot of okra cooked and not eaten during that time.
Your Recipe’s look delicious and i can’t wait to to trying them.