Best 2 Air Fryer Calamari Recipes

Cooking calamari in an air fryer is an excellent way to achieve a crispy, tender texture without the need for deep frying. This cooking method uses hot air to circulate around the calamari, resulting in a evenly cooked dish that is both flavorful and healthy. With the right ingredients and a few simple steps, you can easily prepare delicious air fryer calamari in the comfort of your own home.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

AIR FRYER CALAMARI

Air Fryer Calamari image

Guilt-free crispy air-fried calamari! Serve with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges if desired.

Provided by Soup Loving Nicole

Categories Appetizers and Snacks Tapas

Time 25m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

½ cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg
¼ cup milk
2 cups panko bread crumbs
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound calamari rings, patted dry
nonstick cooking spray

Steps:

Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Place flour in a bowl. Whisk egg and milk in a separate bowl. Combine panko, salt, and pepper in a third bowl.
Coat calamari rings first in flour, then in egg mixture, and finally in panko mixture.
Place rings in the the basket of the air fryer so that none are overlapping. Work in batches if needed. Spray the tops with nonstick cooking spray.
Air fry for 4 minutes. Flip rings, spray with nonstick cooking spray, and cook for 3 minutes longer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 296.5 calories, Carbohydrate 50.6 g, Cholesterol 47.7 mg, Fat 4.6 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 24.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 728.3 mg, Sugar 0.9 g

AIR-FRYER CALAMARI

Air-Fryer Calamari image

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Appetizers

Time 30m

Yield 5 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces cleaned fresh or frozen calamari (squid), thawed and cut into 1/2-inch rings
Cooking spray

Steps:

Preheat air fryer to 400°. In a shallow bowl, combine flour and salt. In another shallow bowl, whisk egg and milk. In a third shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs, seasoned salt and pepper. Coat calamari with flour mixture, then dip in egg mixture and coat with bread crumb mixture., In batches, place calamari in a single layer on greased tray in air-fryer basket; spritz with cooking spray. Cook 4 minutes. Turn; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 3-5 minutes longer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 11 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 28mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

Tips:

Choose the right calamari: Look for fresh, firm calamari with a light pink or white color. Avoid calamari that is slimy or has a strong odor.
Clean the calamari properly: Remove the head, tentacles, and ink sac. Rinse the calamari body under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
Cut the calamari into rings or strips: The size of the calamari pieces will depend on your personal preference. If you are using a large air fryer, you can cut the calamari into larger pieces. If you are using a smaller air fryer, you may need to cut the calamari into smaller pieces.
Season the calamari: You can use a variety of seasonings to flavor the calamari, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or chili powder. You can also use a store-bought seafood seasoning mix.
Coat the calamari in oil: This will help the calamari to crisp up in the air fryer. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil.
Preheat the air fryer: This will help the calamari to cook evenly. Most air fryers have a preheat setting. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, simply set it to the highest temperature for 5 minutes before adding the calamari.
Air fry the calamari: Cook the calamari in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes, or until it is golden brown and cooked through. Be sure to shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking so that the calamari cooks evenly.

Conclusion:

Air fryer calamari is a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy this seafood favorite. With just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of cooking time, you can have crispy, tender calamari that is perfect for a snack, appetizer, or main course. So next time you are looking for a seafood dish that is both healthy and delicious, give air fryer calamari a try. You won't be disappointed!