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.
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:
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
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Fried Calamari Recipe
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.
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
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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.
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!
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!
Ah, it is so easy. I am sure you will love it
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.
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.
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!
You should, I am glad you like it
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.
Thank you, yes you should it is so easy
One of my favourites, this looks so delicious
Thank you
Calamari is my FAVORITE. So exciting that I can now make it at home with this amazing recipe!
Thanks, yes it is very easy
The fried calamari looks delicious!
Thank you, yes they were gone in a flash