It took me several tries to find a healthy baked okra recipe that my family would like as well as fried okra. I finally got one! I had to make a few changes to the recipe I found. Maybe it just took us a few times to get use to okra without all the grease. I have always fried the okra that comes out of our garden, but my husband and I are really trying not to put the weight that we have lost lately back on. I made this for my family, my parents, and my niece and nephew last week, and even the kids loved it!
This recipe is super easy, and there is no mess. The recipe I found called for frozen okra, but I used fresh since that is what I had. You can use frozen if you would like, but this time of year, why not use fresh. You need a gallon size ziploc bag. Spray the bag with cooking spray. Place the okra in the bag and shake well. I had to spray a little more on the okra because I felt like it was not wet enough for the cornmeal to adhere to it. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
Place one cup cornmeal, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, salt and pepper in a bowl. Pour the okra in the cornmeal mixture, making sure the cornmeal covers all of the okra. Spread out on a sheet pan.
Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes, turn okra over and spray again lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 12 to15 more or until golden brown.
I can’t believe that I am saying this, but I do prefer this recipe over fried okra. Maybe because I don’t feel so guilty eating so much.
Baked Okra
3 1/2 to 4 cups okra
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup italian style bread crumbs
salt and pepper
cooking spray
Place okra in ziplock bag that has been sprayed with cooking spray and shake. In a bowl, combine cornmeal, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Spread on sheet pan. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes, spray again lightly with cooking spray and bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.