Description
Crispy fried okra stuffed with melty pepper jack cheese, a delightful Southern-inspired appetizer or side.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound fresh okra, trimmed
- 4 ounces pepper jack cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the okra. Carefully make a small slit lengthwise in each okra pod, without cutting all the way through.
- Gently insert a cube of pepper jack cheese into each okra pod.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Pour the buttermilk into another shallow dish.
- Dip each cheese-stuffed okra pod into the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off.
- Dredge the okra in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure it’s fully coated.
- Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully add the okra to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.
- Fry for 3-5 minutes, or until the okra is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the fried okra with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh, firm okra.
- Ensure the oil is at the correct temperature for crispy results.
- Do not overcrowd the pot when frying, as this can lower the oil temperature and make the okra soggy.
- You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your spice preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pepper jack cheese, fried okra, stuffed okra, Southern food, appetizer, vegetarian