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Home » Ingredients » Seafood

Calamari Fritti Crispy Italian Fried Calamari Recipe

Published: Dec 19, 2019 · Modified: Jul 29, 2023. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Recipe Jump to Video
Calamari Fritti pin
This fried calamari recipe is easy to make and does not require a big effort. Crunchy outside and soft inside, you don't need a complicated batter. Serve it with homemade Aioli, mayonnaise mixed with garlic and a drop of fresh lemon juice, a seafood delight.

Calamari fritti is a classic Italian fried calamari recipe, very easy to make. Squid rings are coated with a simple batter and fried, they remain crispy outside and soft inside. A classic Italian street food you can serve them as seafood appetizers with homemade Aioli, mayonnaise mixed with garlic, and a drop of fresh lemon juice.

Calamari fritti served with aioli and lemon juice

In case you get confused, calamari is squid in Italian and Spanish. They are cephalopods, the same family as octopus and cuttlefish, with short legs and a long head. You can find them in different sizes with different names, but the taste is very similar.

If you want to learn more about the difference between squid, cuttlefish, and octopus, you can read my article: What Are Calamari Squid Cuttlefish and Octopus.

In the calamari fritti recipe, the body of the squid is cleaned and cut into half an inch rings (about 1 cm), coated and deep fried.

Fried seafood is a classic street food of many Italian regions: Venetian, Naples, Palermo. You can read the article Italian Street food by Region.

For more Mediterranean seafood dish, you can find: Stuffed calamari in white sauce, pasta with black ink cuttlefish, warm octopus salad.

Calamari Squid on a fishmonger counter

Ingredients

The batter I prefer is a very simple mix of flour without eggs or beer, or any other seasoning. To make it extra crunchy I add 1 tablespoon of semolina flour. If the calamari is fresh, I like to taste the calamari, and the coating is used only to give a nice crunch to the bite.

  • Fresh calamari or squid tubes
  • All-purpose flour
  • Semolina flour
  • Salt
  • vegetable oil for frying

You can use additional seasoning like curry, paprika or cumin but if the calamari are fresh, it is better to keep the seasoning very simple

Dipping sauce for serving

  • freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • aioli ( 1 cup of mayonnaise mixed with 1 or 2 crushed garlic cloves )

You can use a regular pan, but if you are frying a large quantity, I recommend using a deep fryer

calamari coated with flour

Instructions

How to clean calamari

Frankly, if you are using fresh squid, I recommend asking your fishmonger to clean them for you. It is not difficult to clean them, but I rather not.

Anyway, if you are up to the challenge or got stuck having to clean them, here is how:

  1. Detach the legs from the head
  2. Remove the eye and the beak from the legs
  3. Empty the head from all the organs
  4. Make sure you remove the tendon inside the head
  5. Scrape off the skin from the head
  6. Cut the calamari heads into rings

You can see a video here below: Jump to Video

how to clean a squid

Coating and frying

  1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, the semolina flour, and the salt
  2. Add the calamari rings and mix to make sure they are all completely coated with flour
  3. If you have a basket for frying, put the prepared calamari in the basket, ensuring all the excess flour is removed. Otherwise, shake off the flour by placing the calamari on a slotted spoon
  4. Fry the calamari at high temperature, turning them so they are evenly cooked
  5. Remove once the coating turns into a light golden brown color
  6. Place on paper towels to remove excess oil

Hint: You can use the same coating for a fritto misto di mare, or fried seafood and also serve it with aioli and lemon juice.

How to coat and fry calamari
  1. Serve them immediately while still warm, and sprinkle them with chopped parsley for decoration
  2. Add some lemon wedges on the side and a small ramekin with aioli sauce for dipping
Calamari fritti served with aioli and lemon juice

How to serve them

Fried calamari is a very common starter served in many if not all, seafood restaurants in Italy.

Sometimes they are served with other types of fried seafood, like shrimp, sardines, or any other fresh local fish, on the menu, it is called Fritto Misto di mare.

We usually eat them with freshly squeezed lemon juice and/or a sauce of mayonnaise mixed with fresh garlic called Aioli. Never with ketchup!

The garlicky Aioli and the lemon juice perfectly contrast the sweet calamari meat; that is all you need.

Find the recipe here if you want to make olive oil mayonnaise from scratch and add garlic to make you homemade aioli. It is very easy, and the flavor is so much better.

Fried calamari dipped into the aioli

Top Tips

  • Ask the fishmonger to clean the calamari for you
  • You can use frozen calamari, defrost them first and remove any excess water.
  • If you like well-seasoned flour, you can add some more flavor to the coating by adding paprika, cumin, or even curry
  • You can use the same flour mix to coat other fresh seafood to make the fritto misto di mare
  • Fry at a high temperature
  • Serve when they are still warm
Calamari fritti served with aioli and lemon juice

Recipes you might also like

If you are looking for more Italian Seafood recipes, you can check the category: Seafood

For seafood ideas for the Feast of Seven Fishes, check out this Web Story.

Also check the recipes below:

  • Stuffed calamari recipe
    Italian Stuffed Calamari Recipe
  • black ink cuttlefish pasta
    Pasta With Squid Ink Cuttlefish
  • Warm Octopus Salad “Legs” and Potato
    Italian Octopus Salad Recipe (Insalata Di Polpo)
  • Calamari Squid on a fishmonger counter
    What Are Calamari Squid Cuttlefish and Octopus

If you are making this calamari fritti recipe, leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, or sign up to my newsletter.

Italian fried calamari recipe

📋Calamari Fritti Crispy Italian Fried Calamari Recipe

Calamari fritti is a classic Italian fried calamari recipe, very easy to make. Squid rings are coated with a simple batter and fried, they remain crispy outside and soft inside. A classic Italian street food you can serve them as seafood appetizers with homemade Aioli, mayonnaise mixed with garlic, and a drop of fresh lemon juice.
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Print Rate SaveSaved!
Author: Laura Tobin

Ingredients
 
 

  • 12 oz calamari
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon semolina flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 sprig freshly chopped parsley
  • 1 lemon juice
  • ¼ cup aioli ( 1 cup of mayonnaise mixed with 1 or 2 crushed garlic cloves )  
  • vegetable oil for frying
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Equipment

  • Deep Fryer
  • Cutting board set
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Instructions

  • In a large bowl mix the flour, the semolina flour and the salt
    ½ cup flour, 1 tablespoon semolina flour, 1 teaspoon salt
  • Add the calamari rings and mix to make sure they are all completely coated with flour
    12 oz calamari
  • If you have a basket for frying, put the calamari in the basket making sure all the excess flour is removed. Otherwise, shake off the flour by placing the calamari on a sieve ladle
  • Fry the calamari at high temperature turning them so they are evenly cooked
    vegetable oil for frying
  • Remove from the fryer once the coating turns into a light golden colour
  • Place on kitchen paper to remove excess oil
  • Serve them immediately while still warm and sprinkle with chopped parsley for decoration
    1 sprig freshly chopped parsley
  • Add some lemon wedges on the side and a small ramekin with aioli sauce for dipping
    1 lemon juice, ¼ cup aioli

Video

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Notes

  • Ask the fishmonger to clean the calamari for you
  • You can use frozen calamari, defrost them first and remove any excess water
  • If you like you can add some more flavour to the coating by adding paprika, cumin or even curry
  • You can use the same flour mix to coat other seafood to make the fritto misto di mare
  • Fry at a high temperature
  • Serve when they are still warm

Nutrition

Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 203mg | Sodium: 750mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 49IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Terri

    December 19, 2019 at 4:08 pm

    5 stars
    Calamari is one of my most fave foods in the entire world and I had no idea how to make it until now - thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • Laura

      December 20, 2019 at 7:07 pm

      Ah, it is so easy. I am sure you will love it

      Reply
  2. Andrea

    December 19, 2019 at 4:34 pm

    5 stars
    Fried calamari is the best! It's always part of our Christmas Eve feast. My mom is from Naples, and we make them like this too. I haven't tried the semolina though.

    Reply
    • Laura

      December 20, 2019 at 7:06 pm

      If your mom is from Naples, I am sure she is a great cook. I am in Naples right now and love all food here.

      Reply
  3. Pam Greer

    December 19, 2019 at 5:08 pm

    5 stars
    I would have never thought of attempting to make fried calamari at home, but your recipe, tips and photos are so thorough, I can't wait to give this a try!

    Reply
    • Laura

      December 20, 2019 at 7:05 pm

      You should, I am glad you like it

      Reply
  4. Erika

    December 19, 2019 at 5:27 pm

    5 stars
    I love your step by step photos on how to make this. I've never tried making this myself at home, but I need to now.

    Reply
    • Laura

      December 20, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      Thank you, yes you should it is so easy

      Reply
  5. Amy

    December 19, 2019 at 5:36 pm

    5 stars
    One of my favourites, this looks so delicious

    Reply
    • Laura

      December 20, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      Thank you

      Reply
  6. Michelle

    December 19, 2019 at 5:45 pm

    5 stars
    Calamari is my FAVORITE. So exciting that I can now make it at home with this amazing recipe!

    Reply
    • Laura

      December 20, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      Thanks, yes it is very easy

      Reply
  7. Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness

    December 22, 2019 at 10:22 pm

    5 stars
    The fried calamari looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Laura

      December 23, 2019 at 8:52 am

      Thank you, yes they were gone in a flash

      Reply

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Laura Giunta Tobin

Hi, I’m Laura. Welcome to my Blog! Here is where you’ll find an authentic Italian perspective on Italian cooking. Won’t you join me?

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