Description
Crispy, golden fried calamari offers a Mediterranean coastal delight that transports palates straight to seaside restaurants. Perfectly seasoned and lightly battered, these tender rings deliver a crunchy exterior with delicate seafood flavor that will have you craving more with each bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) cleaned squid (tubes and tentacles), sliced into ½-inch rings
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
Oil and Frying Components:
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
Seasoning and Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Dipping Sauce (Optional):
- Marinara sauce
- Garlic aioli
Instructions
- Thoroughly cleanse the squid under cool running water, ensuring each ring and tentacle is meticulously dried using fresh paper towels to guarantee maximum crispiness when fried.
- Select a robust, deep skillet and fill with sufficient oil to create a 2-3 inch depth, gradually heating until the temperature reaches a precise 350°F for optimal frying conditions.
- Craft a delicate coating mixture by combining flour, cornstarch, and seasonings in a wide, shallow container, whisking until uniformly blended and free of lumps.
- Gently enrobe each squid piece in the seasoned flour mixture, delicately shaking off excess coating to prevent clumping during frying.
- Introduce squid into the simmering oil in small, strategic batches, allowing each piece ample space to achieve a golden, crisp exterior without becoming overcrowded.
- Monitor the frying process attentively, removing calamari precisely when they transform into a light amber hue, typically requiring 1-2 minutes of cooking time.
- Transfer the freshly fried calamari onto an absorbent paper-lined surface, immediately sprinkling with a hint of sea salt to enhance flavor profile.
- Plate the crispy calamari alongside zesty lemon wedges and a complementary dipping sauce, serving while piping hot to preserve textural integrity.
Notes
- Perfectly dry squid rings to achieve maximum crispiness by thoroughly patting with paper towels, removing all moisture that could prevent a golden, crunchy coating.
- Control oil temperature precisely at 350F to prevent greasy or undercooked calamari, using a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
- Experiment with alternative flour blends like gluten-free rice flour or add smoked paprika and garlic powder for an exciting flavor twist that elevates the traditional recipe.
- Prevent rubbery texture by limiting frying time to 1-2 minutes maximum, ensuring each piece is quickly golden and tender without becoming tough or chewy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg