Okra Tempura
Learn to make perfectly light and crispy okra tempura with a delicate batter that shatters with every bite. This recipe ensures tender, non-slimy okra and is perfect as a Japanese-style appetizer or side dish.
Equipment
- Frying pan 22cm (9 inches)
Ingredients
- 6 Okra
- 5 Tbsp Water 75g
- 4 Tbsp Wheat Flour 32g
- ½ tsp Baking powder
- Vegetable Oil for deep-frying
- A little Salt for serving
Instructions
- Trim the stems from the okra, remove the tough black part of each calyx, and cut a small slit in the center of every pod. The pods should stay mostly whole, with just enough opening to let steam escape as they fry.
- Pour the cold water into a large bowl, sift in the wheat flour and baking powder, and stir briefly until the batter comes together. The mixture should look thin and slightly lumpy, not smooth like pancake batter.
- Lightly dust the okra with flour before dipping it into the batter. This dry coating gives the batter something to grab onto so it sticks better in the oil.
- Heat vegetable oil in a pan to 170 °C (335 °F), coat the okra in batter, and lower it into the oil carefully. You should hear a lively, steady sizzle, not a harsh roar.
- Fry for a couple of minutes until the coating is crisp, then transfer the okra to a wire rack to drain. The tempura should look pale golden and feel brittle to the touch.
- Arrange the fried okra on a plate and serve with a little salt for dipping. Eat it while the coating is still crackly and the okra inside is hot and tender.
Notes
Batter Secret: For the crispiest tempura, use ice-cold water and mix the batter only until just combined. It should look thin and lumpy; do not try to make it smooth.
Perfect Frying: Keep the oil temperature between 335-375°F (170-190°C) and fry in small batches to prevent the tempura from becoming greasy. Always drain on a wire rack, not paper towels, to allow air to circulate and keep the bottom crisp.
Serving and Storage: Tempura is best served immediately. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in an oven or air fryer to restore their crunch. Avoid the microwave.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.