Crispy Fried Calamari

Fried calamari is a classic Italian appetizer that is easy to make and incredibly delicious. It’s made with fresh calamari, dipped in milk, and coated in a mixture of cornstarch and all-purpose flour before being fried until it’s perfectly crispy. Serve with lemon wedges and a side of spicy arrabbiata sauce for an unforgettable dish! With this simple recipe, you can enjoy restaurant-quality fried calamari at home anytime.

What is calamari?

Calamari is a seafood dish made from fried squid. It is a popular appetizer in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine that can be served fried, grilled, or boiled.

Fried calamari is one of the most popular variations. It’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making it truly irresistible! Plus, fried calamari is easy to make with a few simple ingredients.

Why this crispy calamari recipe works

Today, I’m sharing my recipe for salt and pepper calamari, which is sure to become your new favorite appetizer!

It’s easy to prepare and yields perfectly crispy results. It starts with fresh calamari, dipped in milk, and then coated with a mixture of cornstarch and all-purpose flour. The combination of the two creates a crunchy outer shell that keeps the squid tender inside.

Fried to perfection and served with lemon wedges and a side of spicy arrabbiata sauce.

Did I convince you to make it? Let me show you how!

Fried calamari ingredients

Here’s everything you need to make this yummy appetizer recipe:

• Calamari
• Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper
• Milk
• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking powder
• Oil
• Lemon
• Arrabbiata sauce
• Fresh Italian parsley

Tip:

Need to make this recipe gluten-free? No problem! Just swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version.

How to make fried calamari

Now that you have a list of everything you need, it’s time to get cooking! Follow these simple steps to make fried calamari.

Prep the calamari

Okay, I know this seems tedious, but it’s essential. Not taking the time to clean and prepare the squid properly can lead to rubbery fried calamari. Trust me – NO ONE wants that.

Here’s everything you need to do to prep the calamari:

• Start out by taking the whole squid tube and cutting off the tentacles, making sure they stay whole.
• Then, proceed to cut the tube into 3/4-inch rings. You’ll want to keep the rings on the thinner side so that they cook evenly and get crispy. A wide calami ring can be chewy.
• Place the cut calamari rings and tentacles in a medium bowl in 1/2 cup milk with kosher salt. The milk helps the squid become a bit more tender.
• Stir it all together to combine well.
• Cover the bowl and allow the calamari to marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the fridge.

Tip:

If you want to speed up this process, you can visit your local seafood market and ask them to clean and cut the squid tube and tentacles for you.

Can I use frozen squid?

Yes, you can definitely use frozen calamari for this fried calamari recipe. Just be sure to thaw it out first and rinse the squid with cold water before using it in your fried calamari recipe.

Though, if you can use fresh squid, that’s best!

Add flour coating to calamari

Once you’ve given the calamari enough time to marinate, it’s time to make the fried calamari coating.

• Take your marinated calamari from the fridge and drain off any excess liquid.
• Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper in a large bowl.
• Mix it all together until everything is combined.
• Add the drained calamari to the bowl with the flour mixture and gently toss to coat every piece of squid.
• Place the calamari in a colander and shake off any excess flour.
• Move to a cooling rack on the side and repeat with the remaining pieces of calamari.

Tip:

Make sure to add the calamari in batches so that each piece is evenly coated.

What can I use in place of the cornstarch?

If you don’t have cornstarch on hand, you can always use panko breadcrumbs instead. This will give the fried calamari a nice crunchy texture that’s not too heavy.

Fry up the calamari

Okay, now you are one step closer to enjoying crispy salt and pepper calamari!

• For perfectly cooked squid, heat 1 ½ inches of oil to a temperature of 360°F in a Dutch oven.
• Carefully add half the calamari and fry for 3 ½ minutes while stirring intermittently so that they don’t stick.
• Use a spider strainer to remove them from the pot and place them onto plates lined with paper towels that have been lightly sprinkled with salt.
• Repeat these steps once more for the remaining batch of calamari.

Tip:

This part can be dangerous. Please be careful! When the oil gets really hot, it can sometimes pop during the cooking process.

Why is my calamari so rubbery?

If your fried calamari is a bit rubbery, there’s a chance you didn’t let the squid marinate for long enough. The marinade helps tenderize the squid and gives it a nice flavor.

Another possibility is that you fried them for too long. Make sure to keep an eye on your fried calamari so they don’t burn or become overcooked.

Can I cook the calamari in the air fryer?

Yes, you can! All you have to do is preheat the air fryer to 375°F and spray it with cooking oil.

Then add the calamari in an even layer in a single basket.

Fry for 7-9 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Make sure to shake or flip them halfway through so they cook evenly.

Can I bake this recipe instead?

Yes, you can! Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a baking sheet.

Lightly spray with cooking oil and add calamari in an even layer – make sure not to crowd them too much.

Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Make sure to flip them over halfway through to ensure even cooking.

How to serve

Once I have my calamari all fried up, I like to heat up my arrabiata sauce in a small saucepan and serve it with some lemon wedges and chopped Italian parsley.

What else can I serve with fried calamari?

Whenever I serve fried calamari as an appetizer, I like to make a crispy medley with baked coconut shrimp and homemade tostones.

Looking for a 3-course meal? Start out with the fried calamari as the appetizer, then serve a juicy seafood paella and finish the meal with a chocolatey skillet cookie.

How to store

It’s best to eat fried calamari right away for maximum crispiness. If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

To reheat, just heat up oil or butter in a pan over medium-high heat and fry until crispy once again!

Can I freeze calamari?

Yes, you can freeze fried calamari. Place the fried calamari pieces in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and place it in the freezer for 30 minutes. This helps to prevent them from sticking together when stored.

Once they are frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight container or plastic bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When ready to eat, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a pan with butter or oil until crispy again!

Love seafood? Try out these other recipes:

• Spicy Shrimp Tacos With Avocado Crema
• Seafood Chorizo Paella
• Herb-Grilled Shrimp and Chorizo
• Linguine and Clams
• Grilled Avocado Shrimp Ceviche

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