Oven-Roasted Okra – Switch up your usual weeknight veggies with this one-of-a-kind oven-roasted okra! Tender, crispy, bite-sized pieces of okra perfectly seasoned in savory herbs and spices and roasted to crispy perfection. If you’re looking for a quick snack or side dish, this recipe totally fits the bill!
Hands up, my fellow okra lover! 😊 Okra is a staple in Cameroon, and I fondly remember my Auntie’s tantalizing okra soup. Besides, okra roasted in the oven is super fast and easy for crispy, tender deliciousness.
I love to serve it with a tangy dipping sauce as an unexpected appetizer at summer cookouts. Or I’ll pair it with chicken or shrimp for a quick side dish on busy weeknights. Whether you’re a long-time okra lover or trying it for the first time, you’re in for a treat with this oven-roasted okra!
What Does Okra Taste Like?
Slightly sweet, earthy, and fresh are the first things that come to mind. Some people compare it to green beans or asparagus with a grassier flavor. On its own, okra is mild, making it the ideal complement to bold, lively main dishes. Or you can toss it with your favorite blend of herbs and spices to customize the taste according to your palate.
Recipe Ingredients
- Okra – Fresh okra is a healthy, delicious, and satisfying vegetable! And roasting it makes it even better. You can leave fresh okra whole for this recipe, but I cut it up for easier serving.
- Olive Oil – It adds rich flavor and binds the seasonings to the okra.
- Seasonings – Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper give the okra layers and layers of flavor. Cayenne pepper is optional, but I love a kiss of heat!
- Dipping Sauce – Mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and sugar unite to form a fresh and tangy dipping sauce!
How to Roast Okra in the Oven
- Prep – Preheat your oven to about 425°F (220°C). Rinse the okra thoroughly under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Trim off the stem ends of each okra pod, then slice them in half. You can cut the okra into ⅓-inch slices or leave them whole. (Photos 1-2)
- Mix – In a separate small bowl, combine Creole seasoning, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika. (Photo 3)
- Season – Place the okra in a bowl and drizzle olive oil over it. Gently toss the okra to ensure that it is evenly coated with oil. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the okra and toss again until each pod is well coated. (Photo 4)
- Bake – Line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper and spread the seasoned okra in a single layer. Make sure the pods are not overlapping. Put it in the oven and roast the okra for 15-20 minutes or until it becomes crispy and slightly browned. You may want to check on the okra and toss it halfway through the cooking time to promote even browning. (Photos 5-6)
- Cool – Once roasted, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the okra cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Sauce – Combine mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix well. (Photos 7-8)
Recipe Variations
- Seasoning Swap – Experiment with other seasonings like cumin, onion powder, thyme, or lemon zest to flavor the okra. A simple combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder works miracles.
- Sauce Variations – You can serve oven-roasted okra with various dipping sauces. Creamy remoulade sauce or tangy Carolina Gold BBQ sauce are guaranteed crowd-pleasers!
- Say Cheese! – Replace the spices with grated parmesan. Sprinkle it on the okra after the first 10 minutes of baking and continue baking for 5-10 minutes.
- Open Sesame! – Substitute the Creole seasoning and paprika with minced garlic and sesame seeds for a milder Asian twist.
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure to thoroughly dry the okra before coating it with oil. That helps the seasonings stick better and prevents the okra from drying out.
- Adjust the roasting time according to how done you like them. Keep in mind that roasting okra too long may result in slightly bitter okra.
- Avoid the temptation to overcrowd the baking sheet. To get beautifully roasted, crispy okra, leave space between them so they all touch the pan.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Oven-roasted okra comes together in just a few minutes with minimal prep time. Preparing and roasting it right before serving ensures it’s fresh and crispy. However, you can keep it warm by wrapping it in foil or leaving it in the oven at 200℉/90℃ until ready to serve.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Serve oven-roasted okra as a side dish for your favorite protein or as a snack with different dipping sauces.
To store leftover oven-roasted okra, let it cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container or a ziplock bag. Keep refrigerated and consume it within 2-3 days for the best taste and texture.
To reheat, place the okra on a baking sheet and roast for 10 to 15 minutes at 350℉/177℃ or until warm. You can also reheat the roasted okra in the microwave for 30-second intervals until heated.
FAQs
When it comes to okra, smaller is better. Look for pods less than 5 inches long because they’re more tender. They should be a vibrant green color without blemishes for the tastiest results.
You can, and you can put it in the oven frozen! It often comes precut, so simply mix the okra pieces with the oil and seasonings and pop them in the oven! It will take about 5 minutes longer than fresh okra.
Sure, just set your air fryer at 400℉/205℃, and air fry the okra for 10-14 minutes, shaking halfway through. All air fryers heat differently, so you may need to adjust the heat to get the desired texture.
What to Serve With Oven-Roasted Okra
It pairs well with traditional Southern main dishes if you’re serving roasted okra as a side. My family loves it next to blackened catfish with shrimp sauce, chicken fried steak, or bacon mac and cheese.
If you prefer oven-roasted okra as a snack, consider serving it with a bevy of dipping sauces. Remoulade and African pepper sauce are always game-day favorites!
More Flavor-Packed Okra Recipes to Try
Conclusion
Crunchy on the inside, and tender on the inside, oven-roasted okra is ready to become your new favorite recipe! What’s your favorite way to prepare okra? Leave me your thoughts in the comments below!
Watch How to Make It
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Oven-Roasted Okra
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh okra, sliced lengthwise (or rounds or left whole if you prefer)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon sugar (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to about 425°F (220°C).
- Rinse the okra thoroughly under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Trim off the stem ends of each okra pod, then slice each okra pod in half. You could leave the okra whole or cut them into ⅓-inch slices.
- Combine Creole seasoning, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika in a separate small bowl.
- Place the okra in another bowl and drizzle olive oil over it. Gently toss it to ensure that it's evenly coated with oil.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the okra and toss again until each pod is well coated.
- Spread the seasoned okra in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure the pods are not overlapping.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast the okra for 15-20 minutes or until it becomes crispy and slightly browned. You may want to check on the okra and toss it halfway through the cooking time to promote even browning.
- Once roasted, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the okra cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Add mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl. Mix well.
- Serve the okra with the sauce, and enjoy!
Tips & Notes:
- Make sure to thoroughly dry the okra before coating it with oil. That helps the seasonings stick better and prevents the okra from drying out.
- Adjust the roasting time according to how done you like them. Keep in mind that roasting okra too long may result in slightly bitter okra.
- Avoid the temptation to overcrowd the baking sheet. To get beautifully roasted, crispy okra, leave space between them so they all touch the pan.
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
Bill A says
I’m looking forward to making some Okra now. I haven’t found a good, healthy recipe before this, so thanks so much!
Imma says
Great! Please let me know what you think:)