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–+ servings
Fried Calamari

Fried Calamari

Linda Appiah
Craving golden fried calamari with tender texture and bold flavor? This easy seafood appetizer delivers crispy perfection in every bite—perfect for game nights, festive platters, or an elegant dinners
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine greek, Italian, Mediterranean
Servings 6 people
Calories 318 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • For the Calamari
  • 1 lb fresh calamari rings cleaned and sliced
  • 1 cup buttermilk or milk for soaking
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch for crispiness
  • 1½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Oil for deep frying vegetable or canola
  • Optional Garnishes
  • Lemon wedges
  • Chopped parsley
  • Crushed chili flakes
  • Zesty Dipping Sauce
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Prep the Calamari
  • Rinse calamari rings and pat dry thoroughly.
  • Soak them in buttermilk for 30 minutes to tenderize and reduce chewiness.
  • Mix the Coating
  • In a bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt.
  • Heat the Oil
  • Fill a deep pan with 2–3 inches of oil and heat to 350°F (175°C).
  • Dredge & Fry
  • Remove calamari from buttermilk, let excess drip off.
  • Toss rings in flour mixture until evenly coated.
  • Fry in small batches for 2–3 minutes until golden and crisp.
  • Remove and drain on paper towels.
  • Make the Sauce
  • Mix all sauce ingredients until smooth. Chill until ready to serve.
  • Serve with Style
  • Plate calamari with lemon wedges, parsley, and your dipping sauce.
  • Optional: Add crushed chili for a spicy kick!

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 17gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 184mgSodium: 534mgPotassium: 299mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 206IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 2mg
Keyword fried calamari
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