Crispy Fried Calamari

Golden crispy fried calamari recipe is probably one of the best appetizers recipes I enjoy. Grilled, stuffed or slow cooked in tomato sauce, I love calamari in all forms and shapes. But fried ones are my best favorite.

Next time, try this fried tilapia recipe.

Calamari is a highly controversial food. Some people say they are too rubbery others do not eat it for the fear of tentacles and in my opinion they are eaten pretty much less than they should.

Calamari and squid are pleasantly chewy, but not rubbery, when cooked properly. Let me show you with some simple tricks how to cook this delicious appetizer.

Jump to:

• ❓Why This Recipe Works
• 📝 Ingredients
• 🥄 Instructions
• 💡 Tips
• 🍽️ Serve With
• 💬 FAQs
• 📣 More Recipes From the Blog
• Crispy Fried Calamari

❓Why This Recipe Works

• Tender calamari with no rubbery texture.
• Light, golden crust and not heavy on batter.
• An easy appetizer that works great with a squeeze of lemon juice and some dips.

This is how we cook squid rings to perfection. Golden calamari that is not overly fishy nor rubbery.

📝 Ingredients

🥄 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

• First of all we'll soak the squid rings in a couple of tablespoons of vinegar. Rinse with cold water and pat dry.

• In a large bowl, combine garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, spices and calamari. Toss to combine and coat the rings well. Marinate for 30 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
• Coat calamari rings in the flour mixture well. Shake off excess flour.
• Heat oil in a frying pan and fry in hot oil for about 3 minutes in small batches. Take them out, using a slotted spoon, on a plate with paper towels. Server immediately.

💡 Tips

• Soaking calamari rings in vinegar helps tenderize them which makes them less chewy. Also it gets rid of any unpleasant smell.
• After this I like to marinade the calamari in a special spice mix with olive oil. I use garlic, lemon juice, salt, black pepper and cumin. This combination pairs very well with calamari and it will still taste like calamari, nothing overpowering here.
• Making a thick batter, the one that is like pancakes, is not something my mom used to make. I'm more used to a simple dusting with lightly seasoned flour and that's it.
• Some people add semolina or cornflour for a more crispy coating.
• Be sure to use a high smoke point oil such as grapeseed or vegetable oil.
• Fry calamari in single layer and do not cram the skillet.
• Squid rings are slightly chewy when quickly fried at about 130F. When they reach 140F the connective tissues shrink making the calamari tough.

🍽️ Serve With

Serve as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce, such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce or marinara sauce.

💬 FAQs

For us here, I've always considered fried calamari as an appetizer that I order in a restaurant and that's it. The fear of cooking rubbery calamari has been keeping me from making my own homemade fried calamari.

To be honest, I did not grow up eating calamari tentacles we only had the squid rings in Egypt. I have no idea what they are doing with the tentacles though. That might not be the case anymore though, as I have been away for more than 15 years now. I have to admit when I fist saw the fried calamari tentacles it was weird then it got easier and easier.

📣 More Recipes From the Blog

• If you're looking for a quick, healthy low carb dinner recipe, look no further than this easy keto shrimp scampi!
• Baked sea bass, one of our favorite Middle Eastern fish recipes.
• Another favorite is this delicious crispy fried tilapia, one that you definitely should try.
• Enjoy this tender and flaky air fryer tilapia recipe, low carb and ready in few minutes for a healthy weeknight dinner.
• Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian dish that is made with tender, juicy shrimp and a flavorful garlic and butter sauce. Your family is going to love this simple dish.
• Inspired by the flavors of Morocco and Mediterranean cooking, this Moroccan baked salmon is a packed full with flavors dinner that your family will enjoy.

More Snacks and Appetizers

• This copycat Big Mac Sauce recipe is everything you love about the iconic Mcdonalds and it works as a great dip with almost any appetizer.
• Baked brie in puff pastry is easy to make, elegant and delicious! This super-popular appetizer is warm, creamy, sweet and salty.
• Little smokies pigs in a blanket are the perfect beefy meaty and buttery flaky combination for a quick snack or party appetizer. Make them extra special with different toppings.

I hope you'll like this recipe and please if you make this recipe, snap a pic and hashtag it #amiraspantry — I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter!
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If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.

First published Feb, 2020. Last updated November 29, 2021 for better user experience and readability.