Roasted Okra (Vegan, Gluten Free, 4 Ingredients)

I purchased fresh okra with the intention of making bamia, okra stew, which is a hearty Lebanese dish. 

Well that didn’t happen, instead life happened.

So rather than letting my okra get old, I roasted them.

A few years back, I was only accustomed to eating okra in the form of a stew.

Then one day my mother threw a spanner in the works.

“Try eating okra raw” she said

My brain imploded! 

Then she said

“Have you ever tried roasted okra?”

Then my brain exploded. Haha - what!? how is this possible!? I was always on a one way street with okra - it was always made as bemya. This is how I grew up with it. 

Of course, I tried it, I tried both versions and of course I loved it. 

Raw okra is in fact sweet and quite easy to eat. I love the combination of the crunchy exterior and the soft slimy interior. 

Now get a kick of seeing the reactions of others - when I tell them the same things.

✔️Okra Facts

Did you know that whilst okra is a fruit, it’s always prepared as a vegetable.

It also comes in two colours, green okra and red okra.

Egytptians were the first to cultivate okra in the 12th century. It is found on the banks of the Nile. 

Okra is enjoyed across the world, here are some ways in which it is prepared by different cultures;

• Indian - In a masala curry or stir fry
• American - Mostly as a southern dish called Gumbo
• Asian - In a work fired stir-fry
• Middle Eastern - In stews usually served with rice 

Let’s get into how to make roasted okra in the oven

🥘Ingredients

• 800g Fresh okra
• 1 tablespoon EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
• ½ teaspoon Cracked black pepper
• ½ teaspoon Dried oregano (optional)
• ¾ teaspoon Salt (to taste)

🔪Cooking Instructions

• Preheat oven to 230C  446F
• Cut off the stem ends of the okra and place in a bowl
• Place EVOO, salt, black pepper and oregano with the okra and coated well by mixing through
• Line a baking sheet pan with baking paper and place each okra singularly without overlapping. Cook in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until golden. Serve warm

📝Recipe Notes

Any dried herb or spice can be used instead of oregano

Adjust quantities of the herbs and spices to suit your liking

Don't overlap any of the ocra when placing them into the tray

The okra tips will brown quicker as they are thinner

Roasted okra will still be soft on the inside with crispy outsides

Okra naturally is slimy, this is normal

Optional - turn okra around the 15min mark during roasting

Roasting okra in oven is easy, however watch out at the end as they can burn quickly

After washing okra, be sure to dry well with a paper towel, leaving no moisture

💭Recipe Tips

Try and avoid the large okra, as these are woody with stringy bits

Select green okra without any brown spots, these tend to be older

Using same sized okra pods will ensure all pieces are cooked evenly (as larger okra will take longer to roast)

🗒️Roasted Okra Variations

Try sprinkling some vegan ranch seasoning

Add some crushed garlic cloves

Add fresh chilli for a little bit of heat

Squeeze lime or lemon on freshly roasted okra when it comes out of the oven

❓FAQ

⚙️Equipment

• Bowl
• Baking sheet pan

🔖Other Vegan Side Recipes

• Tasty roasted artichoke.

Recipe