📋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.

Course Appetizer, Starters

Cuisine Italian

Keyword fried calamari, fried seafood, fried squid

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Servings people

Calories 216kcal

Author Laura Tobin

Equipment

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

US Customary - Metric

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

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