🦑 Crispy Fried Calamari 🍋✨
Golden, crispy, and absolutely delicious, fried calamari is the perfect appetizer or snack! Lightly breaded and fried to perfection, these squid rings are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Serve with a squeeze of lemon and your favorite dipping sauce! 🍽️
🌟 Ingredients
For the Calamari:
1 lb squid, cleaned and cut into rings 🦑
1 cup all-purpose flour 🌾
½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness!) ✨
1 tsp garlic powder 🧄
1 tsp paprika 🌶️
½ tsp salt 🧂
½ tsp black pepper 🌿
1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk) 🥛
Oil for frying (vegetable or canola) 🛢️
For Serving:
Lemon wedges 🍋
Fresh parsley, chopped 🌿
Dipping Sauce Options:
Marinara sauce 🍅
Garlic aioli 🧄
Spicy sriracha mayo 🌶️
🔥 Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Calamari
If using whole squid, clean it by removing the head, beak, and cartilage. Cut into ½-inch rings.
Rinse under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
Step 2: Soak for Tenderness
Place calamari in a bowl and cover with buttermilk.
Let it soak for 30 minutes (this makes it extra tender!).
Step 3: Prepare the Coating
In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Step 4: Coat and Fry
Heat oil in a deep fryer or skillet to 350°F (175°C).
Remove calamari from the buttermilk and shake off excess liquid.
Toss in the flour mixture, making sure each piece is well coated.
Fry in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. 🍋
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce!
💡 Pro Tips for the Best Calamari:
✅ Tender Calamari? Soaking in buttermilk reduces chewiness!
✅ Extra Crunch? Use cornstarch in the breading mix!
✅ Avoid Overcooking! Fry for just 2-3 minutes—any longer makes it rubbery.
✅ Spice It Up? Add cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the flour mix! 🔥
Enjoy this restaurant-style fried calamari at home—it’s crispy, tender, and totally irresistible! 😍🍽️