Description
This Fried Calamari recipe yields perfectly crispy and tender calamari rings, seasoned to perfection and served with zesty lemon wedges and marinara sauce. A delightful Mediterranean-inspired appetizer that’s sure to impress!
Ingredients
Scale
Calamari:
- 1 pound calamari (squid), cleaned and sliced into ½-inch rings
Batter:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For Frying:
- Vegetable oil
Serving:
- Lemon wedges
- Marinara sauce
Instructions
- Tenderize Calamari: Marinate calamari rings in buttermilk for 30 minutes.
- Prepare Batter: Mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) in a skillet.
- Dredge Calamari: Coat marinated calamari in flour mixture.
- Fry: Fry coated calamari until golden and crispy, about 1½ to 2 minutes per batch.
- Drain and Serve: Transfer fried calamari to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot with lemon wedges and marinara sauce.
Notes
- To keep calamari tender, avoid overcooking.
- Add cayenne to the flour mixture for a spicy variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30-minute soak time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About ¼ pound
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
