Crispy Calamari Recipe

If you've ever been to a coastal café or seafood bistro, chances are you've tasted the irresistible charm of crispy calamari. Tender squid rings lightly coated in a seasoned crust and fried until golden — served with a squeeze of lemon or a side of aioli — this dish is a must-have for seafood lovers.

The good news? Making restaurant-style fried calamari at home is easier than you think. With a few simple techniques, you can achieve that light, crispy texture and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness every single time.

🕐 Prep & Cook Time

1. Preparation Time: 20 minutes
2. Cooking Time: 10 minutes
3. Total Time: 30 minutes
4. Serves: 4 as an appetizer

🛒 Ingredients

🐙 For the Calamari:

1. 500g squid tubes and tentacles (cleaned)
2. ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + lemon juice)
3. 1 tsp salt
4. ½ tsp black pepper
5. ½ tsp garlic powder
6. ½ tsp paprika or cayenne pepper (optional)

🧂 For the Coating:

1. ¾ cup all-purpose flour
2. ¼ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
3. Salt and pepper to taste

🍳 For Frying:

1. Oil for deep frying (vegetable or sunflower oil)

🍋 For Serving:

1. Fresh lemon wedges
2. Garlic aioli, marinara, or tartar sauce

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

🔹 Step 1: Prepare the Calamari

1. Clean and slice squid tubes into ½-inch rings. Keep tentacles whole.
2. Rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Marinate in buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 hour in the fridge).

🧠 Why Buttermilk? It tenderizes the calamari and helps the coating stick.

🔹 Step 2: Prep the Coating

1. In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix well to create a light dredging mix.

🔹 Step 3: Heat the Oil

1. In a deep pot or fryer, heat oil to 350°F / 175°C.
2. Use a thermometer or test with a breadcrumb — it should sizzle immediately.

🔹 Step 4: Dredge and Fry

1. Remove squid from buttermilk, let excess drip off.
2. Coat well in the flour-cornstarch mix, pressing gently.
3. Fry in small batches for 1.5 to 2 minutes, until golden and crispy.
4. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

🚫 Don’t Overcrowd the pan — it drops the oil temperature and makes calamari soggy.

🔹 Step 5: Serve Hot!

1. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and dipping sauces.
2. Sprinkle with sea salt and chopped parsley if desired.

🥣 Dipping Sauce Ideas

💡 Pro Tips for Crispy Calamari

✅ Use cornstarch with flour — it gives an airy crisp.

✅ Don’t fry longer than 2 minutes — squid becomes rubbery if overcooked.

✅ Serve immediately — calamari loses crispness quickly.

✅ Use ice-cold buttermilk for a better crust.

❄️ Storage & Reheating

1. Not ideal for storing — fried calamari tastes best fresh.
2. If needed, reheat in an air fryer or hot oven (200°C for 5 mins) to regain crispness.
3. Avoid microwaving — it turns chewy.

💬 Final Thoughts

Crispy Calamari is one of those dishes that feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to make. Whether you're hosting a dinner party, making tapas night at home, or simply craving golden-fried seafood, this recipe will deliver on crunch, flavor, and satisfaction.

Best enjoyed fresh, with friends, and with a glass of chilled white wine or sparkling lemonade on the side.

📸 Share Your Plate!

Tried this recipe? Tag your golden beauties with #CrispyCalamariCravings or #SeafoodSnackGoals. We’d love to feature your version on our blog!