Fried Calamari Recipe (Crispy Fried Squid)

Fried calamari is also known as crispy fried squid or calamari fry. This calamari fry turns out super crispy, not at all fishy (with one simple trick included) and is easy to make with a handful of ingredients. It is one of the most popular sea food dish all over the world specially in Italy. There is nothing compared to a plate of hot crispy calamari with garlic mayonnaise on a summer afternoon with a cup of cold drink. 

Fried Calamari Recipe 

Every time we buy calamari at home, the first request that comes from my daughters is this fried calamari. They love it so much and can have it anytime of the day. When fried calamari is on the menu, you must have it with garlic mayonnaise, check my salt and pepper fried calamari.

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• About Fried Calamari
• Ingredients
• Step by Step Pictures
• Expert Tips
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About Fried Calamari

Fried Squid or Crispy fried calamari is a classic Appetizer that is popular all over the world. It is even more popular in Italy, and known as fritters or calamari fritti. This is best served hot as soon as it comes out of the fryer with a cold drink. Yum!

When choosing squid for this recipe, choose tender baby squid which is perfect. Cut it into rings and keep the tentacles whole. I like to remove the head of these squid but some people like to keep it on. You have to check my other Indian squid recipes like squid fry, squid masala and this kanava roast.

One thing that puts me off with squid is the fishy smell, I have a great tip which I learned from a chef. Soak your sliced squid in milk for 15 to 30 minutes, ideally overnight in fridge. 

This one simple step removes the odour and keeps the squid tender. I follow this trick whenever I make fried calamari, specially when I see the squid is quite large in size. 

Now comes the dredge, it is equal part of cornstarch to plain flour, Simple. You can season it with any seasonings you like. But I keep it simple with just salt and black pepper. But garlic powder and paprika are great additions. 

The coating part is super simple, you strain the soaked squid from the milk through a sieve and add it directly into the dredge. If you use a mixing bowl with lid, then the task is super easy. Cover it and shake for a good 30 seconds. 

Now remove the calamari from the dredge using your hands. I like to remove it using a spider spatula and shake off any excess flour. Add it directly into the hot oil and fry for 3 to 5 minutes. That's it. 

One important warning I have to give you is, stay back when making fried calamari. Because sometimes the calamari can burst when frying, speaking from my experience. 

Similar Recipes

• Chinese Salt and Pepper Squid Recipe
• Kerala Squid Curry Recipe
• Squid Roast | Koonthal Roast | Kanava Roast Recipe
• Squid Masala Recipe
• Kanava Kuzhambu Recipe

Ingredients

• Squid - try and choose fresh squid you can find. Also baby squids are best for this recipe, since they stay tender and don't turn rubbery even after frying.
• Milk - this is a secret ingredient which is used to soak the squid. It helps to eliminate the fishy odour from the squid. Also helps tenderises the squid.
• Flour - I used equal part of plain flour and cornstarch to make the most crispy coating for the calamari. It is a dry dredge. 
• Seasoning - I used salt and pepper alone to season my calamari. You can use garlic powder and paprika as well.
• Oil - Use flavourless oil like sunflower oil for deep frying. Since they with stand the high smoking temperature.
• Garlic Chilli Mayo - mayonnaise, red chilli flakes, sugar and freshly grated garlic is mixed to make the dipping sauce. 

Step by Step Pictures

Soaking Squid in Milk

1)Take squid, salt and milk in a bowl. Mix well and leave it sit for 15 to30 minutes. This helps remove the fishy smell from the squid and makes it tender. 

Garlic Chilli Mayonnaise

2)Take mayonnaise, garlic, chilli flakes, sugar, in a bowl.

3)Mix well till combined. Set aside till ready to serve. This is your dipping sauce. 

Making Coating

4)Take cornstarch, plain flour, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl with lid.

5)Mix well so the salt and pepper is evenly mixed with the flour. This is your dredge.

Coating Squid

6)Heat oil for deep frying in heavy bottom pan. Let the oil get super hot. Now strain the calamari from the milk mixture through a sieve.

7)Now add it directly into the flour mix.

8)Cover the bowl with a lid and give a good shake.

9)This way each calamari is coated with the flour. 

10)Now remove the calamari using a spider spoon and shake off excess flour. Or you can use your hands to remove the calamari. 

Frying Calamari

11)Add it directly into the hot oil. Don't mix as soon as you add it to the hot oil.

12)Let the calamari fry for 1 minute and gently mix it using a chopstick or tongs to separate the squid from sticking together. 

Imp - Sometimes calamari can burst in the oil , so always stay away from the hot oil. 

13)Let the calamari fry for 3 to 4 minutes in the hot oil till it gets super crispy.

14)Strain using a slotted spoon and add it to some paper towel lined plate. Let the excess oil drip off. 

15)Serve fried calamari immediately with garlic mayonnaise.

Expert Tips

• Use baby tender squid so your fried calamari turns super soft.
• Never skip soaking the squid in milk, it makes such a difference.
• Fry this in super hot oil and always stay back when frying, because sometimes the calamari can burst when frying. 
• Be creative and flavour your dredge with any seasonings you like. Garlic powder, paprika are great choice. 

Serving and Storage 

It is not ideal to store this once fried, as it gets soggy. Make sure you have it immediately after fried for best taste. You can enjoy this with mayonnaise, ketchup or chilli sauce as well.

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