Southern Baked Okra
This Oven Roasted Okra is a Southern Soul Food favorite. It's baked to golden-brown perfection, with okra pods that are tender, slightly crunchy, and bursting with rich flavors. Whether you're looking for a quick side dish or a tasty snack, this baked okra is easy to make and brings out the natural flavors of this Southern staple.
Servings 6 servings
Calories 44kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 - ½ pounds okra fresh or frozen (thawed and drained)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Creole Seasoning Method (My preferred method).
- 1 teaspoon Creole Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste If you're using a Creole Seasoning that has salt in the ingredients you likely won't need much.
Standard Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper
- Drizzle the okra with olive oil and sprinkle the spices throughout. Toss to fully coat.
- Spread the okra throughout the sheet pan. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan. Use multiple pans or batch cook if necessary.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or for however long it takes to roast. The okra should be tender when pierced with a fork or a knife. It should not be overly soft or mushy but have a slight crispness on the outside.
- Cool before serving.
Notes
If you want to reduce the slimy texture as much as possible, be sure not to overcrowd your pan while roasting. This will allow it to roast evenly and prevent excess moisture buildup.
Frozen okra is harder to char. If you are having problems getting it to crisp up, it's because of the moisture found on frozen okra.
How to Tell When it’s Done Roasting
- Texture: The okra should be tender when pierced with a fork or a knife. It should not be overly soft or mushy but have a slight crispness on the outside.
- Shrinkage:It will shrink slightly in size as it loses some moisture during the cooking process. You’ll notice that the pods have reduced in volume compared to their raw state.
- Even Cooking: Ensure that the okra pieces are roasted evenly. If some pieces are undercooked while others are overly browned, adjust the cooking time or rearrange them on the baking sheet for more even roasting.
Nutrition
Serving: 4oz | Calories: 44kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g