Skip the fryer! This crispy and delicious oven-baked okra is not only delicious but much healthier than the fried alternative.

One of my FAVORITE things to eat is okra! I love it to be a good mix of crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Without a doubt, baking them in the oven does this perfectly. If you are looking for the best snack to crush your cravings, you are in the right place!

How do you keep the okra from getting slimy?

This recipe calls for cutting the okra so thinly, more of the inside is exposed and gets crispy. Unlike like pieces of fried okra, this recipe is better for getting cooked all around. Because of this, you will not find any slimy pieces of okra! On top of not being slimy, this recipe is much healthier than a traditional southern fried okra. 

How can you make sure the oven-baked okra gets crispy?

Liberally adding extra virgin olive oil as well as the mixture of flour, cornmeal, and spices will crisp up the okra so nicely. It creates a coating similar to the one you would get when eating fried okra. Unlike the fried one, this one is much healthier and cuts out a lot of unnecessary ingredients and oils. Another way to help it get crispy is to cut it into thin pieces and to make sure that the okra is well separated on the baking sheet when cooking. Give them plenty of space to get that perfect texture!

What adds flavor to this oven-baked okra?

You can add whatever spices you like best to make this okra delicious! While I recommend mixing in kosher salt, pepper, and paprika into the flour and cornmeal coating, you can add whatever you desire. When you add these spices, you add a little extra yumminess without taking away from the original flavor of the okra. There is no need to mask the flavor of fresh okra!

Is okra good for you?

Though okra often gets a bad wrap for being unhealthy (especially since it is mostly eaten fried) people tend to overlook the amount of nutrients in okra. It is rich in nutrients including Vitamin C and Vitamin K, as well as having a little more protein in comparison to other fruits and vegetables. When cooked right, okra can be a great thing to add to your snack rotation!

How long should you cook the oven-baked okra?

The main thing to note when cooking okra is to access how you like it. If you like it crispy on the outside and soft on the inside like me, then keep an eye on it until it starts to brown on the outside. If you like it less crispy you can pull it out sooner or on the other hand, if you like it more crispy you can keep it in longer. Either way, it is up to your preference!

How is this oven-baked okra healthier than the alternatives?

I have already gotten into how this recipe is healthier than traditional southern fried okra, but here are a few specifics on what makes it so different.

• This recipe calls for way less oil than traditional frying 
• The oil used in this recipe is MUCH better for you than oil used for frying
• Since the coating added in does not completely cover the okra, it has fewer carbs than traditional fried okra

Watch Me Make this Fabulous Oven-Baked Okra Recipe

Let me know how you enjoy this fabulous dish in the comments below. As always, thank you so much for stopping by. Be blessed and stay savvy!!!

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