Crispy Fried Calamari – Restaurant-Style at Home
Golden, crunchy, and perfectly tender, fried calamari is a seafood classic that’s all about technique. Lightly coated and fried quickly at high heat, this version stays crisp on the outside while remaining tender inside — just like your favorite restaurant.
Ingredients (Servings: 4)
- 1½ pounds squid, cleaned and sliced into rings and tentacles
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Oil for frying
For serving:
- Lemon wedges
- Marinara sauce or aioli
👨🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Tenderize the calamari:
Place squid in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and reduce chewiness.
2️⃣ Prepare the coating:
In a shallow bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
3️⃣ Heat the oil:
Heat oil to 350°F in a heavy pot or deep fryer.
4️⃣ Coat the calamari:
Remove squid from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Toss lightly in the flour mixture until evenly coated.
5️⃣ Fry:
Fry calamari in small batches for 1½–2 minutes until golden and crisp. Do not overcrowd the pot.
6️⃣ Drain and serve:
Transfer to paper towels, season lightly with salt, and serve immediately with lemon wedges and dipping sauce.
📦 Amazon Must-Haves for Fried Calamari
- 🍤 Deep Fryer – Keeps oil at the perfect frying temperature.
- 🌡️ Frying Thermometer – Prevents under- or over-frying.
- 🥄 Slotted Spoon – Safely lifts calamari from hot oil.
- 🍋 Lemon Juicer – Fresh lemon makes all the difference.
- 🥣 Mixing Bowls – For dredging and prep.
- 🍽️ Serving Platter – Presents your calamari beautifully.
💡 Helpful Tip:
If calamari cooks longer than 2–3 minutes, it turns rubbery. Keep the oil hot and fry quickly for tender, restaurant-style results.