What is Fried Calamari?
You’ll find fresh calamari in the seafood department at most grocery stores. We love it so much that we always have to order it, if we see it on the menu! It’s also easy to make at home. You can find fresh calamari at most grocery stores in the seafood department. You can also find frozen squid in the freezer aisle. The key to making sure your calamari is tender is to first soak it in a milk and lemon juice mixture. Then, you’ll bread it with a simple mix of flour, cornstarch, and seasonings. Fry it up in just minutes to a perfect golden brown. Its crispy goodness will have you coming back for seconds and thirds!
Ingredients You’ll Need For Crispy Fried Calamari
The ingredients for this calamari recipe are simple. Other than the calamari, you probably already have what you need! It’s all about the ratio of flour to cornstarch to get that delicious crispiness. Exact measurements can all be found below in the recipe card.
Calamari Rings: You can use either calamari rings that are sold already cleaned (seen below) or whole squid, which you cut into tubes before use. Milk and Lemon Juice: Soaking the calamari in a mix of whole milk and lemon juice will make it tender and also help the breading adhere to it. Flour/Cornstarch: For the breading, you’ll need a mix of all-purpose flour and cornstarch for golden brown crispiness. The flour is what will fry up golden brown and the cornstarch will give the exterior that crispy crunch. Dried Dill: Gives the perfect complimentary flavor to the squid. Paprika: Adds a nice peppery flavor that gives a bit of heat. Salt & Pepper: To taste! Oil: Vegetable oil for frying. Lemon Wedges: Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over the top for brightness in every bite.
How to Make Fried Calamari
Frying crispy calamari is much easier to make at home than you might think! The steps are simple, and the calamari only takes about 3 minutes to fry!
Calamari to Use: You can use calamari tubes and cut them into rings for the calamari rings. You can also use mixes with tentacles for this recipe. Thaw the squid all the way before you start breading and frying for the best results. Use the Air Fryer: To air fry, follow the steps up until you fry them. Instead, spray the breaded calamari with oil and place them into your air fryer basket. Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes. Serving Sauces: Calamari goes great with Marinara Sauce, Tartar Sauce, or Tzatziki Sauce. Thaw First: If you are using frozen calamari rings, thaw them completely before using them.
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat: I recommend baking or air frying the leftovers to get them crispy. To air fry, cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes. If using the oven, heat in the oven at 400 for 3-5 minutes.
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