Fried Calamari | The Recipe Critic

Crispy, flavorful Fried Calamari is a delicious appetizer that tastes like something you would order in a fancy restaurant. The calamari is tenderized, breaded, and then fried to golden brown, crunchy perfection. Take it to the next level with marinara sauce for dipping!

What is Fried Calamari?

You’ll find fresh calamari in the seafood department at most grocery stores. We love it so much that we always have to order it, if we see it on the menu! It’s also easy to make at home.

You can find fresh calamari at most grocery stores in the seafood department. You can also find frozen squid in the freezer aisle. The key to making sure your calamari is tender is to first soak it in a milk and lemon juice mixture. Then, you’ll bread it with a simple mix of flour, cornstarch, and seasonings. Fry it up in just minutes to a perfect golden brown. Its crispy goodness will have you coming back for seconds and thirds!

Ingredients You’ll Need For Crispy Fried Calamari

The ingredients for this calamari recipe are simple. Other than the calamari, you probably already have what you need! It’s all about the ratio of flour to cornstarch to get that delicious crispiness. Exact measurements can all be found below in the recipe card.

• Calamari Rings: You can use either calamari rings that are sold already cleaned (seen below) or whole squid, which you cut into tubes before use.
• Milk and Lemon Juice: Soaking the calamari in a mix of whole milk and lemon juice will make it tender and also help the breading adhere to it.
• Flour/Cornstarch: For the breading, you’ll need a mix of all-purpose flour and cornstarch for golden brown crispiness. The flour is what will fry up golden brown and the cornstarch will give the exterior that crispy crunch.
•  Dried Dill: Gives the perfect complimentary flavor to the squid.
• Paprika: Adds a nice peppery flavor that gives a bit of heat.
• Salt & Pepper: To taste!
• Oil: Vegetable oil for frying.
• Lemon Wedges: Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over the top for brightness in every bite.

How to Make Fried Calamari

Frying crispy calamari is much easier to make at home than you might think! The steps are simple, and the calamari only takes about 3 minutes to fry!

1. Prep: Prepare the calamari rings by thawing them if they are frozen. Pat the rings dry and place them into a bowl.
2. Coat with Milk and Lemon Juice: Pour the milk and lemon juice over the rings and stir to combine and coat the rings evenly in the milk mixture.
3. Mix: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, dill, paprika, and pepper.
4. Dredge in Flour Mixture: Remove the rings from the milk mixture, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Then, toss them in the flour mixture. Next, place the breaded calamari rings onto a plate or sheet pan. Meanwhile, prepare a second plate or sheet pan by lining it with paper towels.
5. Fry: Heat about an inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot carefully place the battered calamari into the hot oil and fry them for about 3 minutes until they are golden brown.
6. Finish Frying and Serve: Once you finish frying the calamari, place them onto a paper towel-lined plate or sheet pan. Work in batches until you’ve cooked all the calamari, then serve it fresh with lemon wedges.