Crispy Fried Calamari is fresh tender squid fried in a light, seasoned batter for the perfect easy appetizer to serve with marinara sauce.
We love this calamari as an appetizer served with our favorite Italian dinners like Olive Garden Chicken Piccata and Ultimate Meat Lasagna. We also sometimes just do fish fry dinners and serve it alongside Classic Fried Shrimp and Beer Battered Crispy Fish Tacos.
Crispy Fried Calamari
Calamari seems intimidating to most people I’ve ever made it for. During dinner parties I’d cook for clients we would often have a portion where I would teach them how to cook one of the dishes. Almost without fail when calamari was on the menu they’d want to see me cook it even though I’d offer something more enjoyable or more difficult since making calamari is so easy.
What is calamari made of? Squid! It may sound scary, but it’s just like eating any other seafood when cooked properly. The visions of kids hating calamari come from versions that have been so overcooked its rubbery and unappealing. Well cooked calamari is crispy, light and tender, perfect with just a squeeze of lemon juice or marinara sauce for serving.
The only part of calamari that is even marginally difficult is cleaning the squid.
How to clean a whole Squid:
- Wash the squid under cold water.
- Pull the tentacles off the body (I don’t care for fried tentacles so I discard but you can absolutely fry them too).
- Pull out the clear quill (looks like a plastic feather) and the other innards of the squid.
- Rinse well again and remove the purple sheath from the squid.
- Cut the fins and the head off the squid and discard.
- If the beak is still present, squeeze to remove.
- Rinse one final time before slicing into rings.
How to clean prepared squid:
- In most grocery stores they sell prepared, cleaned squid. If you’ve purchased the cleaned variety the first thing to ensure is that it’s fresh. Squid should smell like…nothing. If it smells off or fishy in any way it isn’t fresh and you shouldn’t purchase it.
- Once you find fresh, prepped squid you can bring it home, rinse it well then dab it dry with a paper towel.
- You may also be able to find frozen cleaned squid. If so defrost gently, rinse and pat dry. Fresh will always be more tender than frozen though.
What to serve calamari with?
- lemon wedges
- Marinara Sauce for dipping
Ingredients
- Canola oil for frying
- 1 pound clean squid bodies cut in ¼ inch rings and dried with a paper towel
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
- In a large pot or dutch oven add three inches of oil and bring to 350 degrees.
- Add the flour, salt, garlic powder and pepper to a large bowl and stir to combine.
- Toss the squid pieces in the flour then into the hot oil.
- Fry the squid for 1-2 minutes. You want the color to stay pale like in the pictures.
- Remove to a cookie sheet to drain (do not add paper towels as it will steam the calamari and make it soft.)
- Serve with lemon wedges.
Nutrition
can I pan fry with less oil & flip after a short time.
Sure 🙂
This recipe is easy to follow and tastes great! I definitely would recommend using a deep fryer thermometer to be able to ensure that the oil is just the right temperature to avoid overcooking too fast. The buttermilk used to tenderize the squid was a great tip. I used pre-frozen squid rings from the asian market (you can also find them at the regular grocery store), I quickly thawed them out in a bowl and cold water, then soaked them in buttermilk and they turned out amazing. If you want to avoid having to clean whole squid, this is an easy and cheaper alternative especially for large batches or last minute planning. Served it with marinara sauce and garlic aioli sauce. Don’t forget the squeeze of lemon on top! That’s a must :). Thank you for this recipe Sabrina! #newfamilyfavouriteappetizer
Thanks for the tip, Michelle.
can you use frozen calamari with your recipe? if so, anything I would need to change? Hard to find fresh around my area. thank you
If you’re using frozen squid bodies, just make sure to completely thaw them before. You want to make sure there isn’t any excess liquid that would release from them that would make crisping up an issue. Good luck!
This is my favorite appei
I used grape seed oil for high heat frying and the rings came out a little overdone. I had never fried calamari before and I think I over cooked.
Oh no! Next time, shorten your cook time and make sure to keep an eye on how they look. You want them to stay pale. Hope this helps for next time.
Worked perfectly! I tossed the finished calamari in some chipotle pepper, more salt, and some like juice – amazing flavor.
Sounds fantastic!
Forgot my rating. 5 stars of course.
Used calamari I purchased from “Vital Choice seafood”. This was a excellent recipe! Fast and delish.
So glad you liked it! Thank you!
Spot on!
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Your recipe sounds great. The cooking tips great. Can’t wait to do it. Thank you.
You’re welcome! I would love to hear how it turns out when you do!
The simplicity of preparing these dishes is awesome. I never thought. I never prepared calamari before so this was exciting for me. Thank you
I’m so glad you decided to try.
Unlike everyone else that has commented, I actually made these today using this recipe. I used frozen squid and they turned out delicious. Perfectly seasoned and tender and this was a super easy recipe. Thank-you. I look forward to making these again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the 5 stars.
I think it’s pretty disgusting that you waste half of the squid by discarding the tentacles. Really shows how wasteful this world is.
And literally , the fried tentacles are the best part
Calm down, Nate. People have preferences, and that’s okay. Squid are literally one of the most sustainable proteins on the planet. It’ll be okay.
I really need to give this recipe a try. I had the best calamari ever when I was out shopping with my daughters. I had almost given up trying it, since ALL my past experiences were terrible. This looks super crispy…just the way I like it. Time to have some fun in the kitchen and give this a try.
I hope you enjoy it!
why did you rate it 5 stars if you didn’t even try it? you people make no sense
We definitely have to try this! My whole family loves calamari!
Enjoy!
I remember thinking this looked so weird when I was little but not am obsessed with it!
Fried calamari is one of my favourite seafood dishes! I had no idea making it at home could be so easy. Thanks for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome, enjoy!
I’ve never been a calamari lover, but your crispy fried calamari may make me change my mind. They look good!
Thanks Renee!
I love calamari!! This looks really good!
Thanks Toni!
Yum, looks so crispy and delicious! Such a great appetizer!
Thank you!