Mediterranean Pepper Jack Cheese Stuffed Fried Okra

These Mediterranean Pepper Jack Cheese Stuffed Fried Okra have a crispy golden coating with a creamy and spicy cheese filling. We prepare these stuffed okra pods with fresh okra, pepper jack cheese, olive oil, whole wheat breadcrumbs, cornmeal, Parmesan cheese, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, egg, and milk. These stuffed okra pods contain approximately 10 g net carbs and 230 calories. We make these stuffed okra pods in just 32 minutes. These Mediterranean Pepper Jack Cheese Stuffed Fried Okra are perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, game-day snacks, Mediterranean meals, and weekend entertaining. You can serve these stuffed fried okra pods with Tzatziki Sauce, Greek Village Salad, Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken, Warm Pita Bread, or Couscous with Herbs.

STATS:

• Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Mezze
• Calories: 230 Kcal
• Diet: Mediterranean
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cuisine: Mediterranean Fusion
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Portion Size: 4 stuffed okra pods
• Cooking Mode: Stovetop
• Total Servings: 4
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Total Time: 32 minutes

TOOLS:

• Cutting board
• Sharp paring knife
• Small spoon
• Bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Frying pan
• Tongs
• Paper towels
• Plate

INGREDIENTS:

STUFFED OKRA:

• 16 okra pods
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 4 oz. pepper jack cheese
• 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ tsp oregano
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp garlic powder

COATING:

• ½ cup breadcrumbs (whole wheat)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup fine cornmeal
• 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp oregano
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• Wet Coating
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp milk

FRYING:

• ¾ cup olive oil

OPTIONAL GARNISH:

• 1 tbsp parsley
• Lemon wedges
• Greek yogurt dipping sauce

INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:

OKRA:

• We use large fresh okra pods because they are easy to stuff and remain tender after frying. You can also use zucchini spears or jalapeños.

PEPPER JACK CHEESE:

• Pepper Jack cheese provides a creamy texture with a mild spicy kick. As a substitute, you can use mozzarella, Monterey Jack, cheddar, provolone, or feta cheese.

BREADCRUMBS:

• Whole wheat breadcrumbs create a crispy coating while adding extra fiber. Alternatively, you can use regular breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, or gluten-free breadcrumbs.

CORNMEAL:

• Cornmeal gives the coating extra crunch and texture. You can replace it with additional breadcrumbs or almond flour.

OLIVE OIL:

• Olive oil adds authentic Mediterranean flavor and helps achieve a crispy golden crust.

PARMESAN CHEESE:

• Parmesan cheese enhances the coating with a rich, savory flavor. Instead, you can use Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast.

GREEK YOGURT DIP:

• Greek yogurt dip provides a cool, creamy contrast to the crispy stuffed okra. Alternatively, you can serve it with tzatziki or garlic aioli.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Rinse and dry the okra perfectly.
2. Don’t cut into the pods when trimming the stems.
3. On every okra pod, make a lengthwise incision.
4. Eliminate some seeds to form space for the filling.
5. We stuff all the pods using a strip of pepper jack cheese.
6. Gently coat using olive oil and garnish with black pepper, oregano, garlic powder, and paprika.
7. Stir the pepper, breadcrumbs, salt, cornmeal, paprika, Parmesan, and oregano in a dish.
8. Blend the milk & egg in a different vessel.
9. We dip all the stuffed okra into the egg mixture.
10. Equally distribute the breadcrumb mixture.
11. Preheat the olive oil in a pan.
12. We fry these stuffed okra for almost three minutes.
13. Strain on paper towels.
14. Sprinkle parsley and serve warm with Greek yogurt dip and lemon wedges.

TIPS:

• Perfectly dry the okra and then coat.
• We freeze the cheese for just ten minutes and then stuff, so it will not be soft.
• Serve this stuffed okra quickly for a perfect texture.
• Include red pepper flakes for additional spice.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

MEDITERRANEAN DIPPING SAUCES:

• Tzatziki Sauce
• Garlic Yogurt Dip
• Hummus
• Whipped Feta Dip
• Roasted Red Pepper Dip

FRESH MEDITERRANEAN SALADS:

• Greek Village Salad
• Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
• Lemon Arugula Salad
• Quinoa Herb Salad

PROTEIN PAIRINGS:

• Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken
• Grilled Shrimp Skewers
• Baked Mediterranean Salmon
• Chicken Souvlaki
• Garlic Lamb Kebabs

GRAIN & BREAD SIDES:

• Lemon Rice Pilaf
• Couscous with Herbs
• Warm Pita Bread
• Bulgur Wheat Salad
• Garlic Herb Flatbread

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• Put this stuffed okra in a closed vessel and stock it for 2 to 3 days.

FREEZER:

• Store this stuffed okra for just 30 to 60 days.

FAQs:

Could we use an air fryer to prepare this stuffed okra?

• Yes, you can air-fry for almost twelve minutes at 200° Celcius.

May we prepare this stuffed okra by baking?

• Yes, you can bake for almost eighteen minutes at 425° Fahrenheit.

Can we prepare this stuffed okra earlier?

• Yes, you can make this stuffed okra beforehand, chill it, and then bake.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS:

Calories: 230 kcal

Sodium: 340 mg

Net Carbs: 10 g

Fiber: 3 g

Sugar: 2 g

Fats: 15 g

Proteins: 10 g

Portion Size: 4 stuffed fried okra pods

Total Carbs: 13 g