Low Carb Fried Okra Fritters
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Delicious keto fried okra fritters are a fabulous breakfast, lunch, or dinner option. They have a ton of flavor that pairs well with many side dishes, and this healthier, lower-carb version is perfect for enjoying fritters whenever you like.
What Are Okra Fritters?
In the south, we love fritters! They can be sweet, like apple fritters, or savory, like these Okra fritters. They are a delicious southern dish that combines okra with batter to make a pancake-style fritter. They are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, great for snacks and main courses alike. You get all the flavor of fried okra without the mess of hand battering the okra!
Health Benefits of Okra
Okra is the pod of a larger plant. It is a good source of magnesium, antioxidants, folate, and fiber. It also has fair amounts of vitamins A, C, and K1.
Just one cup (100 grams) of fresh okra has only 33 calories, 1.9g of protein, and 0.2 grams of fat. It also has 7.5 grams of carbohydrates and 3.2 grams of fiber (or 4.3 net carbs per cup, making it an excellent choice for lower-carb eating.
Tips For Selecting Fresh Okra
When choosing okra at the store, you want okra that:
- Is somewhere between 2 and 4 inches in length. Any longer, and they will be tough and hard to eat. Shorter okra tends to be more tender.
- Is a darker, consistent green color throughout the entire piece of okra.
- Has no blemishes or dark spots. Avoid okra that has brown or blackened tips.n
How To Serve Okra Fritters
As mentioned, you can enjoy these at any mealtime or for a snack. But what’s the best way to serve them?
Breakfast – Serve with eggs, toast, inside wraps, or between two slices of bread for a delicious breakfast sandwich.
Lunch – Serve with a salad on the side, put a few patties over rice or other grains, or serve them solo as finger food.
Dinner – Serve them with grilled meats, seafood, or any number of vegetarian dishes.
Snacks and Appetizers – These can be made smaller to create easy finger food to have as a snack or serve to friends and family.
What To Serve With Okra Fritters
While you can serve these fritters with many other dishes, here are some suggestions that are particularly good with them.
- Crispy Parmesan Crusted Yellow Squasy
- Keto Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
- Southern Keto Low-Carb Hushpuppies
- Keto Southern Squash Casserole
Also, try some yogurt or sour cream dip.
Recipe Tips:
Maintain proper oil temperatures – Keep your oil at medium to medium-high heat. Proper temperature control will ensure that the oil doesn’t get too hot (which will burn the outsides before the insides are cooked), or too cold.
Don’t overcrowd the pan – Too many fritters in the pan at a time can affect the temperature of the frying oil. It’s better to do a few at a time than to cram them all into a skillet and hope for the best.
Use paper towels – Once they are done frying, quickly remove the fritters from the pan and place them on a heat-safe surface lined with paper towels. This will absorb excess oil that might not be very appetizing.
Serve them fresh – These are best eaten directly after cooking while still nice and hot.
Ingredients You’ll Need For Okra Fritters
Finely ground blanched almond flour – Do not use almond meal.
Baking powder – Make sure it’s fresh.
Salt – Use any type you usually cook with.
Ground black pepper – Fresh or pre-ground.
Cayenne pepper – Optional and adjustable to your tastes.
Sliced fresh okra – Look for small okra that is firm and has good color.
Onions – Any type you prefer.
Egg – Chilled or room temperature. Either will work.
Heavy whipping cream—This is the real stuff in liquid form from the dairy case, not the stuff that has already been whipped.
Unsweetened almond milk – Any brand will do as long as it’s unsweetened.
High-quality oil – Consider avocado or coconut oil which have higher smoke points for frying.
How To Make Okra Fritters
In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Add the okra and onions and toss to coat.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, cream, and almond milk. Gently fold the okra mixture into the egg mixture until the okra is coated on all sides.
Pour ¼ inch of oil into a large skillet, then set the pan over medium heat and heat the oil until hot (when ready, it will appear to be shimmering). Working on a couple of batches, gently drop the batter in 2-tablespoon mounts into the pan. Fry until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Serve immediately. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more oil to the pan after each batch. The fritters are best eaten hot, right out of the skillet.
Low Carb Fried Okra Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups finely ground almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups sliced fresh okra
- ¼ cup chopped onions
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- High-quality oil for frying
Instructions
- In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Add the okra and onions and toss to coat.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, cream, and almond milk. Gently fold the okra mixture into the egg mixture until the okra is coated on all sides.
- Pour ¼ inch of oil into a large skillet, then set the pan over medium heat and heat the oil until hot (when ready, it will appear to be shimmering).
- Working on a couple of batches, gently drop the batter in 2-tablespoon mounts into the pan. Fry until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more oil to the pan after each batch. The fritters are best eaten hot, right out of the skillet.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is included as a courtesy and is calculated to the best of my ability, using my preferred brands. I recommend calculation your own macros, as they can widely vary depending on the brands of ingredients you use.
Author: Natasha Newton (Natasha's Southern Flavor)
Natasha is the founder of Natasha’s Southern Flavor. She has a passion for sharing delicious family friendly low-carb recipes that are easy to make and use readily accessible ingredients. Natasha has published three bestselling cookbooks. Her books and recipes have been featured by CNET, Delish, Mindbodygreen, Parade and Women’s Health. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, two adult children, and three furbabies.
Read more about Natasha here.