Fried Calamari

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American, Italian American

Keyword: calamari rings, fried calamari, fried squid

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 5

Servings: servings

Calories: 504kcal

Author: Colleen Kennedy

A favorite appetizer you CAN make at home. Fried Calamari is easy and so tasty! If you enjoy fried squid this calamari recipe is for you.

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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

Choose to dip fried calamari in tomato sauce, a garlic aioli, the simple Sriracha Mayo shown in the recipe card or toss the fried calamari in the sauce below. My favorite way to enjoy it!!!

4 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
6 tablespoons honey
¹/₂ teaspoon Asian sesame oil

Combine the ingredients in a small mason jar and shake vigorously. Toss calamari in the sauce and serve immediately or serve sauce alongside fried calamari for dipping.

Calamari simply sautéed and served with tomato sauce is another amazing way to enjoy it (no breading). I have an old recipe which needs updating but you can find the Sicilian Calamari Recipe here.

FYI - Nutritional calculation is based off 4 people eating this calamari appetizer. It accounts for the whole of the dipping sauce (which everyone will use different amounts and most likely some will be leftover). It also does not account for S&P or vegetable oil used in frying.

Nutrition