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Easy Fried Calamari Recipe – A Restaurant-Quality Appetizer at Home
Tender, crispy fried calamari rings served with a zesty marinara or aioli dipping sauce. This classic Italian appetizer is simple to make at home with a light, crispy coating and perfectly fried squid.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh calamari rings or whole calamari, cleaned and sliced into rings
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable or canola oil for frying
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- Marinara sauce or aioli for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the Calamari:
- If using whole calamari, clean and slice them into rings. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will help them fry crispier.
- Set up the breading stations:
- In one shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In another shallow bowl, beat the egg.
- In a third shallow bowl, add panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat the calamari:
- Dip each calamari ring into the flour mixture, coating it evenly.
- Next, dip it into the beaten egg, and then coat it in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure the breadcrumbs stick.
- Heat the oil:
- In a large, deep pan or Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches of oil over medium-high heat. The oil is ready when a small piece of bread or batter sizzles upon contact.
- Fry the calamari:
- Working in batches, carefully drop the breaded calamari rings into the hot oil. Fry for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through for even cooking.
- Remove the calamari with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Serve:
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges and your choice of marinara sauce or aioli for dipping.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the calamari as it can become tough. It only takes a few minutes to cook properly.
- You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breading mix if you prefer a little heat.
- Air frying option: If you prefer a lighter version, you can air fry the breaded calamari at 400°F for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Nutrition
Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 15gFat: 12gSugar: 1g