5 from 1 vote

Servings

If you enjoy okra and are looking for a fried recipe, try this Okra Tempura! It’s a simple and delicious dish that will satisfy your cravings.

Looking for more okra recipes? Try my Boiled Okra with Somen Noodles, Crispy Okra Fries, or Okra Miso Soup!

I’ll walk you through the ingredients and step-by-step instructions. I hope you enjoy it!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This okra tempura is incredibly easy to make with just a few ingredients.
It’s perfect as a snack, appetizer, or topping for noodles and rice bowls.
Enjoy the delightful combination of a light, crispy coating and tender okra.

What is Tempura?

Tempura is fried food made by battering and deep-frying ingredients such as shrimp, fish, and vegetables. It’s a classic Japanese dish that you will see on the menu at Japanese restaurants. It’s also one of the popular home-cooked dishes as you can quickly make a delicious dinner for the whole family with several simple ingredients.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Okra Tempura Recipe:

Okra: When selecting okra, choose bright green colors and a surface covered in downy hairs, indicating freshness. Additionally, make sure the stem is freshly cut and free of dark spots.
Tempura Batter: This recipe uses cake flour, baking powder, and water—no egg is needed. For a crispier texture, opt for low-protein flour instead of bread flour. For more variations, see this post: 3 Easy Homemade Tempura Batter Recipes (Gluten-Free & Vegan).
Vegetable Oil: You can use any oil you prefer. This recipe uses neutral sesame oil for added flavor.

How To Make Boiled Okra Tempura: STEP BY STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions! For the video and all the detailed ingredients and instructions, go to the printable recipe card below.

Step 1

Prepare the okra.

Step 2

Make tempura batter with flour, baking powder, and cold water.

Step 3

Lightly dust the okra with flour.

Step 4

Dip the okra in the batter and deep-fry until crispy.

Place the okra tempura on a plate, dip it in salt, and enjoy the light, crispy texture!

Recipe Tips

Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing can cause gluten to form, making your tempura heavy and chewy. See ‘Homemade Tempura Batter Recipe‘ for more tips.
If the batter is too thick, like a pancake batter, add a little water to tweak the consistency.
Dusting okra with flour helps the batter adhere better and prevents the tempura coating from coming off during frying.
After frying, keep the okra tempura upright on a cooling rack to drain excess oil rather than stacking them.

Want More Plant-Based Ideas?

Download 10 Vegetarian Recipes

More Vegetable Recipes You Will Love

Leave a Rating!

I hope you enjoy this Okra Tempura! If you try it, don’t forget to leave a rating to share your thoughts—I love hearing from you!

Okra Tempura (Japanese Okra Recipe)

5 from 1 vote

Prep: 5

Cook: 10

Total: 15

Servings:

Author: Juri Austin

If you enjoy okra and are looking for a fried okra recipe, try this Okra Tempura! It’s a simple and delicious dish that will satisfy your cravings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

Frying pan 22cm (9 inches)

Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare the Okra: Trim the stems off the okra and remove the tough, black part of the calyx. Make a small slit in the center of each pod.
Make the Batter: Add cold water to a large bowl, sift the flour and baking powder, and mix until combined.
Dust with Flour: Lightly coat the okra with flour to help the batter stick.
Deep-Fry: Pour vegetable oil into a pan and heat it to 170°C (335°F). Dip the okra in the batter and carefully place them in the hot oil. Deep-fry for a couple of minutes until crispy. Transfer the okra to a wire rack to drain any excess oil.
Serve: Place the okra tempura on a plate and serve with a pinch of salt for dipping.

Video

Notes

Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing can cause gluten to form, making your tempura heavy and chewy. See ‘Homemade Tempura Batter Recipe‘ for more tips.
If the batter is too thick, like a pancake batter, add a little water to tweak the consistency.
Dusting okra with flour helps the batter adhere better and prevents the tempura coating from coming off during frying.
After frying, keep the okra tempura upright on a cooling rack to drain excess oil rather than stacking them.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 309kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 3g

This nutritional information is estimated and provided for general reference only.

Course: Side

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: okra tempura

Did You Make This Recipe?

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Juri Austin

Hi! I’m Juri, founder of Chef JA Cooks and the creator and photographer of this site. I’m here to guide you in authentic yet easy-to-follow Japanese recipes! Let’s explore the world of Japanese cuisine together!

Learn More About Juri

One Comment

Juri Austin says:

Feb 6, 2025 at 11:47 AM

Thank you for visiting the comment section. Here, you can leave me feedback with a star rating. Readers like yourself may find comments helpful when making one of my recipes. I hope you love this one as much as I do!