Place 1/2 cup of flour in a large zip top bag. Add a large pinch of salt and pepper.
Whisk together the eggs and buttermilk in a shallow bowl. Set aside.
Whisk together flour, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper in a pie plate.
Trim the stem end of each okra pod a little.Place okra in the ziptop bag with flour. Shake to coat.Coat the okra in egg mixture and then coat in flour/cornmeal mixture.
Heat oil or shortening in a Dutch oven until it reaches 360 degrees.
Working in batches, fry okra until golden on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes. Place on a paper towel-lined plate.Season lightly with salt and serve.