Oven Roasted Okra

Skip the fried okra and bake it instead! This method for roasted okra comes together quickly and tastes delicious – perfectly seasoned and a little crispy. It’s my fave way to prepare fresh okra.

If you’ve never had okra before, you’re in for a treat! And if you’re from the south and are thinking there’s no way this could be as good as fried okra… hear me out. With this method, it still gets crispy and it’s a bit healthier too!

This is hands down my favorite way to make okra. It’s so simple to make and pairs with basically any protein.

What is Okra?

Okra is technically a fruit, but is treated like a vegetable for cooking! It’s common in Southern cooking and it’s a key part of gumbo.

Okra is rich in vitamins C and K and surprisingly has a good amount of protein in it! Okra naturally has a slimy texture to it (thanks to the sugar residue called mucilage) which is great for thickening things (like gumbo) but not great for someone that isn’t a fan of that texture. Lucky for you, this method of cooking okra results in a crispy side dish, no slime!

Here’s What You Need

• okra – make sure you’re using fresh okra for this recipe and be sure your okra is on the smaller side. Large okra tends to have a thick, woody texture that’s almost impossible to chew through.
• olive oil – to coat the okra pieces for roasting and help the delicious spices stick.
• seasonings and spices – I like using fresh or dried thyme, garlic powder, sea salt and pepper
• optional – a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little spice!

How to Prep Okra

I have seen roasted okra prepared in two ways – by slicing it into long strips like I did, or by cutting it into discs. Either works for this recipe!

Start by cutting away the stem from the okra and the very tip of the end. Carefully cut the okra in half lengthwise and place in a bowl for seasoning. Easy peasy!

What to Serve with Roasted Okra

Honestly, this roasted okra can be paired with just about any protein option – beans, tofu, tuna or chicken… the possibilities are endless! Here are some ideas:

• Apple Cider Vinegar Chicken
• Easy Crispy Baked Tofu
• Vegan Bolognese
• Baked Chicken Nuggets
• Cilantro Lime Chicken Burgers
• Black Bean Burgers

More Roasted Vegetable Recipes to Try:

• Roasted Broccoli
• Roasted Kabocha Squash
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Roasted Spaghetti Squash
• Roasted Garlic
• Roasted Summer Squash and Zucchini
• Roasted Asparagus

Oven Roasted Okra

4 from 111 votes

Move over fried okra! This method for roasted okra comes together quickly and tastes delicious – perfectly seasoned, not slimy at all and even a little crispy. It's my fave way to prepare fresh okra.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 2

Ingredients

• 1 pound okra, rinsed and dried
• ½ Tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ground pepper, to taste
• pinch of cayenne pepper, optional

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Trim the okra by cutting away the stem ends and the tips, just the very ends. Then cut the okra in half, lengthwise.
  
• Place okra in a large bowl. Add oil and spices and toss to coat the okra halves.
  
• Place okra on a baking sheet in a single layer.
  
• Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, shaking or stirring the okra at least twice during the roasting time. You'll know the okra is ready when it's lightly browned and tender.
  
• Serve hot as they tend to lose the crispy texture as they cool.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 pound Calories: 107kcal Carbohydrates: 17g Protein: 5g Fat: 4g Saturated Fat: 1g Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g Sodium: 311mg Potassium: 691mg Fiber: 7g Sugar: 3g

Author: Brittany Mullins

Course: Side

Cuisine: American

Keyword: roasted okra

Web Story: https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/web-stories/oven-roasted-okra/

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