Fried Calamari

Crispy, flavorful Fried Calamari is a delicious appetizer that tastes like something you would order in a fancy restaurant. The calamari is tenderized, breaded and then fried to golden brown, crunchy perfection. Take it to the next level with marinara sauce for dipping!

Overhead shot of fried calamari on a plate.

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Delicious Texture and Flavor: This fried calamari recipe uses simple seasonings to get the flavor just right. Plus, the ratio of ingredients for the breading results in the perfect crispy texture.
  • Two Methods for Cooking: I’m giving you instructions for deep frying and for the air fryer. Both methods will result in a crispy, crunchy appetizer that everyone will love.
  • Easy to Make at Home: Calamari is inexpensive and readily available at most grocery stores. I’ll walk you through the simple method and you’ll be chowing down on this deliciousness in no time.

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! To get that delicious crispiness, it’s all about the ratio of flour to cornstarch. 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 a whole squid, which you will to be 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.
Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.

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!

  1. Prep: Prepare the calamari rings by thawing them if they are frozen. Pat the rings dry and place them into a bowl.
  2. Coat with Milk and Lemon Juice: Pour the milk and lemon juice over the rings and stir to combine and coat the rings evenly in the milk mixture.
  3. Mix: In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, dill, paprika, and pepper.
  4. Dredge in Flour Mixture: Remove the rings from the milk mixture, allowing excess liquid to drip off, and toss them in the flour mixture. Place the breaded calamari rings onto a plate or sheet pan and prepare a second plate or sheet pan by lining it with paper towels.
  5. Fry: Heat about an inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot carefully place the battered calamari into the hot oil and fry them for about 3 minutes until they are golden brown.
  6. Finish Frying and Serve: Once you finish frying the calamari, place them onto a paper towel-lined plate or sheet pan. Work in batches until you’ve cooked all the calamari, then serve it fresh with lemon wedges.
Overhead shot of calamari thawing in a glass bowl.
Overhead shot of calamari soaking I’m a milk and lemon juice mixture.
Overhead shot of flour, paprika, dried dill salt and pepper in a glass bowl.
Overhead shot of calamari rings sitting in the flour and seasoning mixture in a bowl. With a couple of the dredged rings on a baking pan with parchment paper.
Angle shot of calamari being fried in a pot of oil.

Tips for Making Fried Calamari

Don’t be intimidated to fry your own calamari at home! This tasty appetizer is something that you can easily make in your own kitchen, and it will be even better than any you get in a restaurant! Here are a few tips and ideas to help you along the way:

  • Calamari to Use: For the calamari rings, you can use calamari tubes and cut them into 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.
Overhead shot of plated calamari with marinara sauce on the side.

How to Store Leftover Fried Calamari

If you’re lucky enough to have any leftover calamari, here are my best tips for how to store them and reheat them to make sure they are crispy when you reheat them.

  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 
  • Reheat: I recommend either baking or air frying the leftovers to get them crispy again. To air fry, cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes. If using the oven, heat in the oven 400 for 3-5 minutes.
Side shot of someone dipping a fried calamari ring into marinara sauce.

More Delicious Appetizers

If you are like me, then you’ll agree that appetizers are the best part of the meal! They’re great for parties and entertaining, too! Below you’ll find some of our most popular appetizer recipes that everyone loves.  

Print

Fried Calamari

Crispy, flavorful Fried Calamari is a delicious appetizer that tastes like something you would order in a fancy restaurant. The calamari is tenderized, breaded and then fried to golden brown, crunchy perfection. Take it to the next level with marinara sauce for dipping!
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Greek, Italian American, Mediterranean
Keyword Calamari, Fried Calamari
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 345kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Prepare the calamari rings by thawing them if they are frozen. Pat the rings dry and place them into a bowl.
  • Pour the milk and lemon juice over the rings and stir to combine and coat the rings evenly in the milk mixture.
  • In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, dill, paprika, and pepper. Remove the rings from the milk mixture, allowing excess liquid to drip off, and toss them in the flour mixture.
  • Place the breaded calamari rings onto a plate or sheet pan and prepare a second plate or sheet pan by lining it with paper towels.
  • Heat about an inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot carefully place the battered calamari into the hot oil and fry them for about 3 minutes until they are golden brown.
  • When the calamari is finished frying place them onto the paper towel-lined plate or sheet pan. Work in batches until all the calamari is finished and serve fresh with lemon wedges.

Notes

If you can’t find calamari rings, you can use squid tubes and cut them into rings. You can also use a mix with tentacles. 
 
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. 

Nutrition

Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 272mg | Sodium: 366mg | Potassium: 442mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 276IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 3mg


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