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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.

What is calamari
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 called with different names but the taste is very similar.
If you want to find out more about the difference between squid, cuttlefish and octopus you can read my article: What Are Calamari Squid Cuttlefish and Octopus.
Different ways to make the batter
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 shrimps, 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 batter I prefer is a very simple mix of flours without eggs or beer or any other seasoning. To make it extra crunchy I add 1 tbsp 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.
The Aioli and the lemon juice add a perfect contrast to the sweet calamari meat, and that is all you need.
If you want to make mayonnaise from scratch you can find the recipe here, it is very easy and the flavour is so much better.
You can use exactly the same coating for a fritto misto di mare, fried seafood and also serve it with aioli and lemon juice.
Ingredients
- 12 oz – 350 g of calamari
- 1/2 cup – 60 g of flour
- 1 tbsp semolina flour
- 1 tsp salt
- vegetable oil for frying
for serving
- freshly squeezed lemon juice
- aioli ( 1 cup of mayonnaise mixed with 1 or 2 crushed garlic cloves )
How to clean a calamari
Frankly, I recommend asking your fishmonger to clean them for you. It is not difficult to clean them, but kind of disgusting.
Anyway, if you are up to the challenge or got stuck having to clean them, here is how:
- Detach the legs from the head
- Remove the eye and the beak from the legs
- Empty the head from all the organs
- Make sure you remove the tendon inside the head
- Scrape off the skin from the head
- Cut the calamari heads into rings
You can see a video here below: Jump to Video
Making this recipe
- In a large bowl mix the flour, the semolina flour and the salt
- Add the calamari rings and mix to make sure they are all completely coated with flour
- 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
- Remove 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
- Add some lemon wedges on the side and a small ramekin with aioli sauce for dipping
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 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
Recipes you might also like
If you are looking for more Italian Seafood recipes, you can check the category: Seafood
Also check the recipes below:
- Stuffed Calamari
- Scallop, Shrimp, Salmon and Cod Fish Pie with a Mediterranean Twist
- Healthy Cod Recipe
- Homemade Paella Seafood And Sausage
- Pasta With Black Ink Cuttlefish Recipe
- Swordfish Wheel
- Baked Swordfish and Braciolette
- Whole Sea Bream Recipe Cooked in Salt
- Warm Octopus Salad “Legs” and Potato
If you are making this fried calamari 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, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.
📋Fried Calamari Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz calamari
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tbsp semolina flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 sprig freshly chopped parsley
- 1 lemon juice
- 1/4 cup aioli ( 1 cup of mayonnaise mixed with 1 or 2 crushed garlic cloves )
- vegetable oil for frying
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix the flour, the semolina flour and the salt
- Add the calamari rings and mix to make sure they are all completely coated with flour
- 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
- Remove 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
- Add some lemon wedges on the side and a small ramekin with aioli sauce for dipping
Video
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
Terri
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!
Laura
Ah, it is so easy. I am sure you will love it
Andrea
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.
Laura
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.
Pam Greer
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!
Laura
You should, I am glad you like it
Erika
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.
Laura
Thank you, yes you should it is so easy
Amy
One of my favourites, this looks so delicious
Laura
Thank you
Michelle
Calamari is my FAVORITE. So exciting that I can now make it at home with this amazing recipe!
Laura
Thanks, yes it is very easy
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness
The fried calamari looks delicious!
Laura
Thank you, yes they were gone in a flash