Best 7 Dry Fried Calamari Recipes

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When it comes to preparing a flavorful and delectable seafood dish, dry fried calamari stands out as a tantalizing option. This culinary delight, characterized by its crispy texture and savory taste, is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or even as a delightful snack. Whether you're a seasoned chef looking to expand your cooking repertoire or a culinary enthusiast seeking a new seafood adventure, this article will guide you through the process of creating the perfect dry fried calamari. From selecting the freshest ingredients to mastering the art of achieving that golden-brown crisp, we'll provide you with all the essential tips and techniques to ensure your dry fried calamari turns out absolutely irresistible.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

FRIED CALAMARI



Fried Calamari image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     appetizer

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Vegetable oil, for deep-frying
1 pound clean squid with tentacles, bodies cut into 1/3- to 1/2-inch-thick rings
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons dried parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 lemons, cut into wedges
1 cup simple tomato sauce, recipe follows or jarred marinara sauce, warmed
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 dried bay leaves
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional

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.

CRISPY FRIED CALAMARI RECIPE



Crispy Fried Calamari Recipe image

Crispy, succulent calamari rings, coated in seasoned flour and quickly fried to crispy perfection. Budget 30 minutes to soak the calamari in milk. This helps tenderize them while taming their fish smell. It also allows the flour coating to better stick on the rings. Be sure to read the post for more tips!

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Appetizer

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound frozen calamari tubes (thawed)
Kosher salt
½ cup 2% milk
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
½ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon dry oregano
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Grape seed oil as needed
1 lemon (cut into wedges to serve)

Steps:

  • Slice the calamari tubes into ¾-inch thick rings.
  • In a medium bowl, stir 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt in ½ cup milk.
  • Add the calamari rings to the milk mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne (make sure the mixture is well combined).
  • Prepare a large colander and set it on top of a large bowl. Using a pair of tongs, take a portion of the calamari rings (about ½ of them) shake off excess milk and toss the calamari in the flour mixture. Toss the calamari to coat evenly. Put the coated calamari in the colander. Repeat with the rest of the calamari.
  • Turn your oven on a low 150 degrees F. Prepare a large sheet pan and set a wire rack on top. Top the wire rack with paper towel.
  • Heat 4 inches of grape seed oil in a small cooking pot (I used a 2.5 quart pot) to somewhere between 350 and 365 degrees F. To test your oil, drop one calamari ring, many bubbles will form around it and the calamari will begin to float.
  • Once your oil is ready, using a pair of tongs, gently add some of the calamari in and fry for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the calamari from the oil and arrange it on the paper towel on top of your prepared wire rack. Immediately season with kosher salt, then transfer to your warm oven to keep warm while you work on the rest. Repeat until you have fried all the calamari.
  • Transfer the fried calamari to a serving plate and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 227.2 kcal, Carbohydrate 35.8 g, Protein 15.9 g, Fat 1.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, TransFat 0.1 g, Cholesterol 177.7 mg, Sodium 273.4 mg, Fiber 1.6 g, ServingSize 1 serving

CRISPY FRIED CALAMARI RECIPE (KALAMARAKIA TIGANITA)



Crispy Fried Calamari recipe (Kalamarakia Tiganita) image

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

700g calamari (25 oz.)
100g bread flour (3.5 oz.)
50g semolina flour (1.5 oz.)
1 tbsp peppercorns (or ground pepper)
2 tbsps salt
1/2 tbsp paprika (optional)
1 tbsp oregano (optional)
vegetable oil for frying

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 RINGS



Deep-Fried Calamari Rings image

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

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
6 cups vegetable oil for frying
12 ounces frozen calamari rings, thawed and drained
salt to taste
2 tablespoons cocktail sauce, or to taste
1 lemon, quartered

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

FRIED CALAMARI



Fried Calamari image

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

1 pound calamari tubes, thawed if frozen
peanut oil for frying
6 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
4 eggs
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, or to taste
1 wedge lemon

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

DEEP FRIED CALAMARI (SIMPLE)



Deep Fried Calamari (simple) image

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

1 lb cleaned calamari, cut rings (and their tentacles too, if you like them)
1/2-3/4 cup cornstarch
salt
lemon wedge, for serving
oil (for frying)

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



Fried Calamari image

You can make light and crispy calamari - the kind you get at clam shacks and Italian-American restaurants - without a deep fryer. Compared to frying fish or chicken, frying squid is a breeze thanks to its small size and quick cook time. To ensure success, soak the squid in milk to reduce fishiness and help the coating stick. A little baking powder and cornstarch in the coating keeps it airy and delicate. (Add paprika or black pepper for spice, or let the mild flavor shine through.) Then, to keep the squid from toughening, fry it hot and fast; just a couple of minutes will do it. Eat right away with a squeeze of lemon or marinara sauce.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories     finger foods, appetizer

Time 30m

Yield 4 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup whole milk or buttermilk
Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
1 pound squid tubes and tentacles, cleaned, rinsed and patted very dry
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons paprika or black pepper (optional)
Neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable, for shallow frying
Lemon wedges and/or warmed marinara sauce, for serving

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, stir together the milk and 2 teaspoons salt. Cut the squid tubes 3/4-inch thick, then add to the milk mixture along with the tentacles. Let sit for 5 minutes or up to 1 hour. (Refrigerate if soaking for more than 15 minutes.)
  • In a large bowl, stir together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and paprika or black pepper (if using). Use your hands to shake excess milk from the squid, then transfer to the flour mixture. Toss until well coated; you may need to open up the tubes to ensure their insides are coated in flour.
  • In a large (12-inch) cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium, heat ½ inch of oil to 375 degrees. Line a plate or sheet pan with paper towels. Add a handful of the squid to the oil and cook until golden brown, 1 to 3 minutes. Stir only after the coating seems to have set. (Any sooner and the coating could fall off.) Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer to the lined plate. Season with salt.
  • Return the oil to 375 degrees, fish out any browned bits, and repeat with the rest of the squid in batches. Eat with a squeeze of lemon and/or dunked in marinara sauce.

Tips:

  • Use fresh calamari: Fresh calamari has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a tender texture. Avoid frozen calamari, as it can be tough and chewy.
  • Clean the calamari properly: To clean the calamari, remove the head, tentacles, and ink sac. Then, score the body of the calamari in a criss-cross pattern, making sure not to cut all the way through. This will help the calamari to cook evenly.
  • Marinate the calamari: Marinating the calamari in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs will help to tenderize it and add flavor.
  • Cook the calamari over high heat: Calamari cooks quickly, so it is important to cook it over high heat. This will help to prevent the calamari from becoming tough and chewy.
  • Serve the calamari immediately: Calamari is best served immediately after it is cooked. This will help to preserve its crispy texture.

Conclusion:

Dry-fried calamari is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main course. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your calamari is cooked to perfection. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give dry-fried calamari a try!

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