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5.0 from 3 votes

Fried Calamari

Homemade fried calamari satisfies that restaurant-appetizer itch gloriously. This fried calamari recipe makes the best & crispiest calamari you've ever had!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 461 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds baby squid (680g, with the hoods cut into rings and the tentacles separate)
  • 5-6 cups vegetable oil (for frying; plus 2 tablespoons)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup semolina flour
  • 1/3 cup plain cornmeal
  • 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. First prepare your squid. Rinse it well in cold water. Cut the tentacles off using one cut, keeping about a 1/4 inch of the hood in order to keep all the tentacles in one piece. If you're using larger squid, you can cut these pieces in half lengthwise in order to make them bite-sized. Having each piece roughly the same size is important for achieving the same cooking time for each piece of calamari.
  2. In a medium-sized deep pot, add enough oil so that the level of oil reaches 4 inches up the side of the pot. Heat the oil until it reaches 325 degrees F.
  3. While you're waiting for the oil to heat, mix up your dry mixture. Combine the all-purpose flour, semolina flour, cornmeal, Old Bay, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
  4. When the oil reaches temperature, you're ready to start dredging your squid. Work in batches of small fistfuls of calamari. Gently squeeze off any liquid and dredge the squid in the dry mixture.
  5. Using a long-handled sieve or slotted spoon, lower the calamari into the hot oil. Gently move the calamari pieces back and forth. Let them fry until golden brown--about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Remove all the calamari and let drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. Taste one piece of calamari for saltiness (Be careful, it's hot!). You can sprinkle more salt immediately after frying to your taste. Continue frying in these small batches until you've fried all the squid.
  6. Serve with marinara sauce or tartar sauce and a few lemon wedges on the side! Proceed to marvel at the fact that you can now have enormous portions of restaurant-quality calamari appetizers at home.

Nutrition Information

Calories 461kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 42g (14%) Protein 32g (64%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Cholesterol 396mg (132%) Sodium 367mg (15%) Potassium 517mg (15%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 55IU (1%) Vitamin C 8mg (9%) Calcium 58mg (6%) Iron 3.3mg (18%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 461

% Daily Value*

Calories 461kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 42g 14%
Protein 32g 64%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 396mg 132%
Sodium 367mg 15%
Potassium 517mg 11%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 55IU 1%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 58mg 6%
Iron 3.3mg 18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.