Crispy Fried Calamari
A quick and easy recipe for making perfectly crispy fried calamari at home, with tips for achieving the perfect texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Calamari Preparation
- 1 lb cleaned squid Cut into rings and tentacles.
- 1 cup buttermilk For tenderizing.
- 1 tsp baking soda Alternative tenderizing option.
Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour For coating.
- 1/4 cup cornstarch For extra crunch.
- 1 tsp salt To season the coating.
- 1/2 tsp black pepper To season.
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder To season.
- 1/4 tsp paprika For seasoning.
Frying
- 2-3 cups vegetable oil For frying.
Instructions
Prepare Calamari
- If using whole squid, separate the head and body, remove the quill, clean the body, and cut into rings.
- Soak squid in buttermilk for 30 minutes or in baking soda water for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse and pat squid dry thoroughly.
Coat Calamari
- In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Coat the squid rings and tentacles in the flour mixture.
Fry
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350-365°F.
- Fry calamari in small batches for 60-90 seconds until golden and crispy.
- Remove and season immediately with salt.
Serve
- Serve with lemon wedges and your choice of dipping sauce.
Notes
Avoid crowding the pan and ensure the oil remains hot for best results. You can also try serving it with marinara sauce, garlic aioli, or pickled peppers.