One of my husband and my favorite appetizers is Fried Calamari also called Fried Squid. When done right its just delicious! Whether you choose to dip your calamari in marinara, an aioli or enjoy it as is. crispy calamari is always popular appetizer recipe.
Fun fact! I submitted this calamari recipe to Food52 back in 2011 (which was new at the time), and it won the competition it was in. I won cookware and this recipe is in the FIRST Food52 cookbook as well. So I CAN say this is a prize-winning calamari recipe 🙂
I honestly think if my husband and I were to judge the taste and texture of calamari appetizer orders we have had over the years, 50% we loved, 25% was meh and 25% was dead awful lol. I know you know what I mean. Fried Squid / calamari can be hit or miss, that's for sure.
After a few less than stellar experiences in a row, years ago I decided to start making that fried calamari at home. It took me a few attempts to get it how I like it but I can now do the happy food dance at home while eating calamari as well as tinker with a variety of calamari recipe ideas. I always make this for a Christmas Eve Appetizer as well.
The above photo is how I most enjoy calamari, Call it Thai Calamari or Sweet & Spicy Calamari. It's fried calamari tossed with a simple sweet and spicy sauce. Recipe for that in the notes. It is excellent, I first tasted it a decade ago in New Hope, Pennsylvania and immediately replicated it!
I also make a tasty Sicilian Calamari as well. No breading. My sister love this, she's the one who was making it years ago. I do need to update this recipe as it was posted over a dozen years ago, but take a look.
Table of Contents
Buying Calamari
- I am not a fan of buying a frozen "block" of calamari. In my experience it almost always ends up squishy. The texture is just off.
- Ask you grocery fishmonger to for their fresh or thawed (as they do it best) squid. I can almost always find it at Wegman's and it has always been great quality.
- If you enjoy the tentacles, by all means grab those. I personally only like the tube or "rings".
- Give it a quick sniff to make sure its fresh and smells good before purchasing.
If you have a Wegmans near you (aaaaaaah hear the music...the clouds part and the sun shines bright....LOVE Wegmans) definitely go there to buy it. A seafood market or farmers market stand should work well too.
Great calamari comes down to 3 things for me (and yes calamari is in fact squid).
- 1. The quality of the calamari (don't want it to tough).
- 2. The coating - I not a fan of a breadcrumb coating or cornmeal coating on calamari. Seasoned flour is my choice however you do you.
- 3. The dipping sauce - I never get why restaurants feel compelled to take the easy way out and serve it with red "spaghetti" sauce - it can be so much more special with a flavorful aioli or Thai chili sauce.
- AND of course the oil, make sure your oil is hot before frying or else your calamari may be greasy.
Fried Squid Tips
- Typically fresh calamari / fresh squid is already cleaned, so all you need to do is give it a rinse and pay dry. If you do need to clean it yourself here is a good resource.
- The key to cooking calamari at home is to not overcook it (whichever cooking method you choose). If you overcook squid it can become chewy and no one wants that!
- Look for the whole tubes as shown in the above image (not the pre cut rings).
- I have experiments with various cooking techniques and breading for fried calamari over the years. This is how I like it best. Feel free to experiment however
- Do not leave out the step of soaking your squid / calamari in the soda water. It's a tip a learned many years ago from a chef and it helps both tenderize it a bit and firm it up.
One more thing...I have nooooo desire to eat the tentacles - my husband and sister love that part (yay for me) I stick with the rings but you do you! After all someone needs to enjoy them!!
When it comes to calamari recipes / squid recipes, it is an easy protein to cook. It's great grilled, fried, sautéed or even in stews and soups.
Recipe originally posted here April, 2010. Updated September, 2024.
Favorite Seafood Recipes To Try
Fried Calamari
Ingredients
Calamari
- 1 pound of calamari tubes
- 6 oz bottle of club soda
- 1 cup flour more or less
- ½ teaspoon red pepper more if you want to spice it up
- S & P don't be shy unless salt is an issue.
- vegetable oil for frying
Dipping Sauce
- ¾ cup Mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
- 1 TBS chili garlic sauce (or Sriracha sauce)
See notes for additional dipping sauce ideas
Instructions
- rinse your calamari tubs inside and out, get rid of any debris. and them pat dry.
- Slice the calamari tubes into rings between ¼ and 1.2 inch wide and place into a bowl. Add a pinch or two of salt.
- Pour the club soda into a medium bowl, place the calamari rings in the club soda, stir until all are submerged. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile combine the flour, salt (black pepper if you wish) and red pepper, toss until combined.
- In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, lemon, and chili garlic sauce / Sriracha. Stir well and set aside.
- Drain the calamari, blot dry.
- Get your deep fryer or pot with oil heating.
- Dredge the calamari, one at a time, in the flour mixture and set on a plate until ready to fry. (Using the 2 hand method).
- Heat your fryer to 375. Test the oil with one battered calamari ring, if its bubbling good, the oil is ready. If not, wait for the oil to get hot enough.
- Once the fryer/oil is ready place half of the calamari into the basket and fry for about 2 to 3 minutes or until golden. Don't overcrowd or overcook..
- When you pull it out place squid a paper towel lined plate and blot gently. Or a wire rack set over paper towels. Immediately season with a little salt.
- Repeat.
- Once its all finished cooking, serve with aioli, marinara or toss with hot honey or the sauce in the notes below and serve.
Notes
- 4 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
- 6 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
clairebakescakes says
I love love love WEGMANS 🙂 I used to work there that must be it, LOL! They have the best produce around and I would drive ways to get to it 🙂
I also love their sushi.
Tickled Red says
Yipee!! Calamari rules.
boredcook says
I love Calamari. But I have to admit I'm partial to the red sauce with it. I'm tempted to try the sauce you made though. Sounds delish!
I also love the rings, but will eat the tentacles as well. The first time I made this was months ago and I was surprised at how well it came out. I didn't use club soda in my batter so that part has me curious. Think next time I make it I'm going to try your version.