Transform your kitchen into a sun-soaked seaside café with this irresistible Crispy Fried Calamari, a crunchy delight packed full of flavor.
The sun has just set on the beach vacation. You’ve taken all of the pictures and your kids refuse to pose for you ever again. It’s time to slide on the flip-flops, throw on a swimsuit cover, and head to a beachfront café to delight in some fresh calamari.
Now open your eyes. One taste of this crispy fried calamari, and you’ll be back in vacation mode right from the comfort of your own home.
Cooking this dish might remind you of southern fried chicken, but the feel of the dish will make you want to break out some calypso music and pair it with Grilled Halibut Tacos.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This is the perfect recipe to impress your friends with a fancy dish—and (bonus!), it’s super easy to make. The recipe works great as a dinner-party starter or an afternoon snack.
The beach vibe at your table might work as a conversation starter: talk about your favorite beach trip together. Or even better: start planning your next one!
Ingredients
You should be able to find calamari at the seafood counter of your local grocery store or specialty supermarket. Here’s what else you need.
- 1 lb Calamari rings
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Cornflour
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp Dried dill
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- Vegetable oil for frying
How to Make – The Steps
Step 1: In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, cornflour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, dill, and cayenne pepper.
Step 2: Pour vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed pot, ensuring there’s enough oil to submerge the calamari rings. Heat the oil to 350°F.
Step 3: Pour the buttermilk into another dish. Dip each calamari ring into the buttermilk, then flour, then buttermilk, then back into the flour mix, making sure it’s fully coated.
Step 4: Carefully place the coated calamari rings into the hot oil. Fry the calamari in batches until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch.
Step 5: Once the calamari rings are cooked, remove them from the oil, allowing any excess oil to drain off. Place onto a plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb any remaining oil.
Top Tips For a Perfect Crispy Fried Calamari
If possible, use fresh squid. They offer delicate flavor and juicy texture that frozen ones don’t.
Dip the calamari rings in buttermilk before generously coating them in the flour mixture. Repeat the process twice. This helps ensures your squid will have a beautiful, crisp crust.
It’s important to get your oil at the right temperature before frying. Use a food thermometer to confirm your oil is around 350°F. Also, don’t overcrowd the pot. Fry the calamari in batches to keep the oil at a stable temperature.
FAQs
Calamari is sometimes mistaken for octopus, but it’s really just a term for a battered and lightly fried squid known for its soft meat and subtle taste.
No buttermilk, no worries! Just stir a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into a cup of milk and let it chill for about 10 minutes. Then use it for your buttermilk substitution dip-and-batter routine.
Add some lemon zest or chili flakes to the flour mix. Some people also like to use beer in the batter. Yum!
Serving Suggestions
After frying, drain the calamari on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease. Serve your golden Crispy Fried Calamari over a bed of mixed greens and top it off with a squeeze of fresh lemon. Dip the calamari in your favorite aioli, homemade dipping sauce, or spicy marinara, or go all-in for a fried feast and pair it with Jack’s Urban Fries.
Make Ahead and How to Store
You can prep for this meal in advance, by putting together the flour mixture. But the actual cooking needs to happen right before serving.
Stored in an airtight container, leftovers will last in the fridge for a couple of days. To serve again, reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid the microwave: it’ll turn the crunch into rubber.
How to Make Crispy Fried Calamari
Ingredients
- 1 lb Calamari rings
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Cornflour
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp Dried Dill
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, cornflour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, dill, and cayenne pepper.
- Pour vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed pot, and make sure that there’s enough oil to submerge the calamari rings. Heat the oil to 350°f.
- Pour the buttermilk into another dish. Dip each calamari ring into the flour, then buttermilk, then back into the flour mix making sure it’s fully coated.
- Carefully place the coated calamari rings into the hot oil. Fry the calamari in batches until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Once the calamari rings are cooked, remove them from the oil, allowing any excess oil to drain off. Place onto a plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb any remaining oil.
