Fried Calamari

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 2010/11 (which was new at the time) and it won the contest it was in. I won cookware and this recipe is in the FIRST Food52 cookbook as well.

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.

I 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 10 years ago, but take a look.

Buying Calamari

• If you can avoid it, don't by frozen "blocks" of calamari packages. 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".

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.

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