Make Fried Calamari at home with just 3 simple ingredients! Golden, crispy, and delicious, just like the ones you order at your favorite Italian restaurant!
Ready in 15 minutes!
Fried Calamari
Fried Calamari is one of my all time favorite dishes! Growing up in a coastal Italian city, I used to ask for it all the time whenever we went out for seafood but I didn’t know it only took 3 ingredients and 5 minutes to make at home!
I promise, this turns out delicious, crispy and golden just like the ones you order out but you can make it whenever!
Everything to love about this recipe:
- Authentic: this is how Italians fry a batch of calamari!
- Crispy and delicious.
- Only 3 ingredients.
- Ready in 15 minutes.
- Simple ingredients.
- Perfect as a summer appetizer!
Ingredients
Calamari rings. You can use fresh calamari for best flavor or just frozen calamari rings which is quicker and more convenient since you don’t have to clean the calamari hehe!
Flour, just all-purpose flour to coat the calamari rings for that golden crispy bite!
Oil, for frying. I like using sunflower oil but vegetable, peanut or canola oil also work. I don’t recommend olive oil as it’s not ideal for frying (it has a lower smoke point which means it burns easily) or other oils with a specific flavor that can stick to the calamari.
Salt and lemon juice (optional), for topping. Lemon juice is optional but it does add some zest to the calamari! You might notice some recipes add in extra spices but traditionally Italians only use salt for fried calamari but you can add in spices if you’d like!
How to make Fried Calamari
STEP ONE: Prepare the calamari. If using frozen calamari rings, make sure to thaw them until soft. If using fresh calamari, make sure to clean it and cut it.
STEP TWO: Heat the oil. In a medium skillet over medium heat, add enough oil so the calamari can float. Once the oil reaches 355F-375F (180C-190C), the oil is ready for frying. While the oil heats up, dredge the calamari.
STEP THREE: Dredge the calamari. Add the flour to a large clean plate and toss the calamari in the flour until it’s evenly coated.
STEP FOUR: Fry until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Fry in batches so the oil temperature doesn’t drop. Remove from the hot oil and place onto a clean plate lined with paper towels to absorb any extra oil. Sprinkle with salt and serve. Add freshly-squeezed lemon juice on top, right before serving, if desired.
Do you have to tenderize calamari?
This depends on the calamari you’re using. If it’s high-quality and fresh, it might be tender enough as it is.
Most people don’t tenderize calamari at home and if they do they just soak it in water (sometimes milk) for 10-15 minutes.
I’ve seen lots of people use buttermilk which works but it’s not something you’d do traditionally because it’s not a traditional ingredient.
If using frozen calamari, you can tenderize it as an extra step, if you think it’s not gonna turn out as tender!
Storing Instructions
Storing Instructions: Fried Calamari is truly best eaten as it’s made but if you have leftovers you can store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating Instructions: For the crispiest reheated calamari, I recommend the oven or the air-fryer. For the oven: reheat at 375F (190C) for 5-6 minutes. For the air-fryer: reheat at 350F (180C) for 3-4 minutes. Do not microwave as it turns soggy.
HAPPY COOKING!! I hope you’ll love this Fried Calamari Recipe as much as I do!
PS: Please leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you make it! Your comments make my day!! You can also tag me on Instagram @itsdamnspicy 🌈💘
More authentic Italian recipes to love:
Fried Calamari
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) frozen calamari rings (thawed, you can also use tubes but cut them into rings first or fresh calamari but clean and cut first)
- 1 and 1/2 cup (185 g) all-purpose flour
- Sunflower, vegetable, canola, or peanut oil (for frying)
- Salt (for sprinkling)
- Freshly-squeezed lemon juice (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the calamari. If using frozen calamari rings, make sure to thaw them until soft. If using fresh calamari, make sure to clean it and cut it.
- Heat the oil. In a medium skillet over medium heat, add enough oil so the calamari can float. Once the oil reaches 355F-375F (180C-190C), the oil is ready for frying. While the oil heats up, dredge the calamari.
- Dredge the calamari. Add the flour to a large clean plate and toss the calamari in the flour until it's evenly coated.
- Fry until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Fry in batches so the oil temperature doesn't drop. Remove from the hot oil and place onto a clean plate lined with paper towels to absorb any extra oil. Sprinkle with salt and serve. Add freshly-squeezed lemon juice on top, right before serving, if desired.
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