How to Preserve Okra – Making Fried Okra for the Freezer

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.

Preserving Okra - Making Fried Okra for the Freezer | MrsHappyHomemaker.com

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!

I’ve been putting up quart bags of breaded okra in the freezer for frying for later, & 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’ll show you.

Slice all the okra you plan on using into about 1/4″ thick rounds.

preserving okra - making fried okra for the freezer

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 & then match it with about the same amount of flour just by eye.

preserving okra - making fried okra for the freezer

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 like a polaroid picture inside of a sealed ziploc bag.

preserving okra - making fried okra for the freezer

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.

preserving okra - making fried okra for the freezer

Fill freezer containers or bags with the okra.

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.

a plate of a southern meal