Deep-fried calamari rings are a classic appetizer or snack enjoyed in many cultures. Calamari, also known as squid, is a versatile seafood with a mild flavor and a tender texture when cooked properly. It is commonly served in rings, where the squid's body is cut into rings, coated in a light batter or breading, and then deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. Served with dipping sauces like marinara or tartar sauce, deep-fried calamari rings are a popular choice for parties, gatherings, and restaurant menus. However, achieving the perfect balance of crispy coating, tender calamari, and flavorful seasonings can be tricky. In this article, we will explore the secrets to making the best deep-fried calamari rings, providing a step-by-step guide and tips for selecting the right ingredients, preparing the calamari, and cooking it to perfection.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
CRISPY FRIED CALAMARI RECIPE (KALAMARAKIA TIGANITA)
Crispy and perfectly seasoned fried calamari recipe (kalamarakia tiganita)! A favorite Greek meze that is served in every fish tavern (Psarotaverna) and you should really give it a try making it at home. Discover all the secrets behind this traditional delight here.
Provided by Eli K. Giannopoulos
Categories Appetizer
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- To prepare this super easy fried calamari recipe, clean the calamari and wash thoroughly. Using a sharp knife cut the calamari in slices, approx. 1 cm each. This will create the rings, as seen in the picture below. Place the calamari rings on some paper towel to get ride of the excessive water.
- Prepare the seasoning for the fried calamari. In a blender add the seasoning and pulse until powdered. (Alternatively you can use a pestle.)
- In a large sandwich bag or tupperware add the flour and seasoning. Place in the sliced calamari and shake well to coat (you will need to do this in batches). Remove the calamari onto a plate, shaking of any excess flour.
- Into a medium sized frying pan pour enough vegetable oil to deep fry the calamari. Heat the oil to medium high heat until it begins to bubble. Test if the oil is hot enough by dipping one of the calamari rings in; if it sizzles the oil is ready. Fry the calamari in batches for about 2-3 minutes, until nicely golden.
- Remove the fried calamari using a slotted spoon and place on some paper towel to dry for 1-2 minutes. Have a taste and sprinkle with some more salt.
- Enjoy this delicious Greek fried calamari recipe with a last minute squeeze of a lemon.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 portion, Calories 330kcal, Sugar 0.2g, Sodium 3566.6mg, Fat 6.5g, SaturatedFat 3.5g, UnsaturatedFat 1.9g, TransFat 0g, Carbohydrate 33.6g, Fiber 1.7g, Protein 32g, Cholesterol 407.8mg
DEEP FRIED CALAMARI (SIMPLE)
This is so easy! Just like the restaurants in Spain! The coating is crispy though not overbearing, and the calamari will be tender. The trick here is that the Calamari needs to be cooked either super quick, or for a long time on a simmer for it to be tender. If you like fried calamari, you are going to love this recipe! Makes 2 mains or 4 appetizer portions
Provided by canarygirl
Categories Squid
Time 16m
Yield 2-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Dredge calamari rings in corn starch and shake off excess.
- The rings may be prepared in advance up to this point, and refrigerated.
- Heat oil to fairly high heat.
- Deep fry rings about 1 minute or until golden.
- Drain on paper towels, and sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Serve with lemon wedges and garlic mayo or marinara sauce for dipping.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 191.5, Fat 1.1, SaturatedFat 0.3, Cholesterol 176.2, Sodium 36.1, Carbohydrate 31.5, Fiber 0.3, Protein 11.9
FRIED CALAMARI
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories appetizer
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Pour enough oil into a heavy large saucepan to reach the depth of 3 inches. Heat over medium heat to 350 degrees F. Mix the flour, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Working in small batches, toss the squid into the flour mixture to coat. Carefully add the squid to the oil and fry until crisp and very pale golden, about 1 minute per batch. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the fried calamari to a paper-towel lined plate to drain.
- Place the fried calamari and lemon wedges on a clean plate. Sprinkle with salt. Serve with the marinara sauce.
- In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
- Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
- If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.
DEEP-FRIED CALAMARI RINGS
Home made calamari rings. This recipe is super easy to make and simply delicious!
Provided by Shelby
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Seafood
Time 20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Stir flour, 2 teaspoons salt, paprika, and black pepper together in a shallow bowl.
- Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Press calamari rings into the flour mixture until evenly coated, shaking off excess flour.
- Working in batches, fry calamari rings in the hot oil until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer cooked calamari to a paper towel-lined plate; sprinkle with salt. Serve calamari with cocktail and lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 531.9 calories, Carbohydrate 31.5 g, Cholesterol 170.3 mg, Fat 38.4 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 15.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 1503 mg, Sugar 1.4 g
DRY FRIED CALAMARI
Provided by Alton Brown
Categories appetizer
Time 20m
Yield 4 appetizer servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place the peanut oil in a 4 to 5-quart Dutch oven and place over medium-high heat. Heat oil until it reaches 375 degrees F.
- Rinse the squid thoroughly and pat dry. Cut the tentacles in half lengthwise and the tubes into 1/2-inch rings. Set aside.
- Place the flour and the cornmeal into a medium mixing bowl and stir to combine. In small handfuls, dredge the squid in the flour and cornmeal mixture and shake off the excess. In batches, gently lower the squid into the hot oil. Cook for 1 minute. The squid will not be browned, but lightly golden in color. Remove the squid and transfer to a cooling rack turned upside down set over a newspaper-lined sheet pan. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Repeat until all of the squid is cooked. Make sure to check the temperature of the oil before each batch to ensure it is 375 degrees F. Serve immediately.
CRISPY FRIED CALAMARI & AïOLI
Transport yourself to a seaside taverna with Mediterranean-inspired deep-fried squid rings and garlicky aïoli. Cooking this is easier than you think
Provided by Esther Clark
Categories Starter
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cut the tentacles off the squid and put in a bowl. Slice the squid tubes into roughly 1cm thick rings and add to the bowl. Heat the oil in a large heavy-based pan over a low heat, ensuring it is no more than two-thirds full.
- For the aïoli, mix the mayonnaise, garlic, saffron and lemon juice in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Toss the squid with the flour, cornflour, baking powder, cayenne and ½ tsp salt. When the oil has reached 170C on a thermometer, or when a cube of bread is dropped in and turns golden brown in 30 seconds, deep-fry the squid in batches for 2 mins, or until lightly golden and crisp. Set aside on a tray lined with kitchen paper. Serve the fried squid with the aïoli on the side for dipping.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 388 calories, Fat 30 grams fat, SaturatedFat 3 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 15 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 1 grams sugar, Fiber 0.4 grams fiber, Protein 14 grams protein, Sodium 0.7 milligram of sodium
FRIED CALAMARI
Fried calamari is one of my favorite recipes, simple to make and tastes delicious.
Provided by John Craig
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Seafood
Time 25m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Check calamari for breaks and slice into 1/8- to 1/4-inch rings.
- Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Place 2 cups flour in a bowl. Whisk milk and eggs together in a separate bowl. Place remaining 4 cups flour, cornstarch, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a third bowl; mix thoroughly.
- Toss calamari rings in the plain flour. Move to the egg mixture and thoroughly coat. Move to the seasoned flour and coat fully. Move back to egg mixture if not thoroughly coated; coat with seasoned flour again.
- Submerge floured calamari in the hot oil until golden, 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Lift out with a slotted spoon, letting oil drip off. Drain on paper towels. Place calamari in a small bowl; check seasoning. Add parsley and lemon wedge for garnish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 523.2 calories, Carbohydrate 79.8 g, Cholesterol 214.1 mg, Fat 11.6 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 22.9 g, SaturatedFat 3.3 g, Sodium 488.2 mg, Sugar 3.3 g
PAN-FRIED CALAMARI RINGS
I threw this together tonight when another appy I planned to make fell through. SO fattening, but oh, my goodness, so worth it!! I served this with Mean Chef's Aioli (#54833).
Provided by spatchcock
Categories Squid
Time 30m
Yield 4 appetizer servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Mix together flour, cayenne and salt in a medium-sized bowl.
- Feel free to add other ingredients to the flour mix if you want--any herbs or zests (like lemon) would be great.
- Put 3 eggs in a bowl (cracked, of course!) and beat lightly.
- Place panko on a plate.
- Start heating oil to med-high heat in medium-large pan on stovetop.
- Dip a few thawed calamari rings into the flour.
- Toss till coated.
- Dip flour-coated rings into the egg mixture.
- Toss flour- and egg-coated rings with Panko.
- (An easy way to do this is to have the panko in a plastic ziploc bag--and toss.) Shake off excess panko and put in preheated oil on stovetop.
- Don't crowd the pan!
- Allowing enough space between rings will ensure that they all cook evenly.
- Pan fry till panko is golden and calamari is tender.
- Don't overcook---overcooked calamari tastes like rubber!
- Serve with dipping sauces of your choice; I like Mean's Aioli (#54833).
- Enjoy.
- And then go for a run or take a nap.
- (This makes 4 servings for an appetizer, if you are looking for a substantial appy, or maybe 2-3 servings for a full meal. This is a FILLING dish).
Tips:
- To ensure the calamari rings are crispy, make sure the oil is hot enough before frying.
- Use a deep fryer or a large pot with high sides to prevent oil splattering.
- Do not overcrowd the pot when frying the calamari rings, as this will cause the oil temperature to drop and the calamari to become soggy.
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to carefully remove the calamari rings from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Season the calamari rings with salt, pepper, and other desired seasonings immediately after frying.
- Serve the calamari rings with your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara sauce, tartar sauce, or lemon wedges.
Conclusion:
Deep-fried calamari rings are a delicious and versatile appetizer or snack that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can easily make this classic dish at home. So next time you're looking for a tasty and satisfying treat, give deep-fried calamari rings a try!
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