Fried calamari is the king of all appetizers.  Tender calamari rings are lightly dusted with flour and corn starch and deep-fried until golden.  Served with a squeeze of lemon and a simple marinara sauce for dipping, this is the appetizer you’ll find in nearly every Italian (and even non-Italian) restaurant in the New York metro area.

Plate with fried calamari and bowl of cherry peppers and marinara sauce.

Fried calamari may just be my favorite appetizer ever, and that’s saying a lot!

Whether I’m enjoying this on Christmas Eve as one of the seven fishes, on game day with some garlic parmesan wings, or in the summer with an ice-cold beer and fried flounder, it never disappoints.

And what’s not to like?  As far as seafood goes, calamari is fairly inexpensive, its flavor is mild, and because my recipe uses a very light dusting of flour and corn starch, it’s not as heavy as other deep-fried versions.

 

By the way, during Christmas time, Costco has a great deal on calamari.  It’s way cheaper there than in most other stores.

The only complaint I’ve heard from calamari nay-sayers is that the consistency is too tough. 

While fried calamari can at times be on the chewier side, I’ve included some tips below that will help mitigate that and help you achieve the best results possible.

Ingredients shown: flour, cherry peppers, lemon, corn starch, marinara sauce, and calamari.

How to make it

Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.

  1. Preheat oven to 200f.  Slice calamari tubes into 1/2″ pieces.  Any large tentacles can be cut in half.  Note: I’m using very small tubes that are about 4 inches long.  The ideal size would be about 6 inch tubes.  Try not to buy enormous squid, since they will be tougher and the rings will be way too large.  For larger squid, the tentacles should be cut in half.

Fried calamari recipe process shot collage group number one.

  1. Place the calamari into a bowl with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt plus enough water to completely cover.  Mix well to distribute the baking soda and salt.  While the calamari is soaking, heat vegetable oil to 370f in a cast iron or heavy gauge frying pan.  Fill the oil to at least 1 inch high.
  2. After 15 minutes drain the calamari and pat dry.  Mix 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup corn starch, and 3/4 teaspoons of black pepper together in a large bowl.  Ideally, use a bowl larger than shown below or a flat tray to make things easier.

Recipe process shot collage group number two.

  1. Dredge the calamari rings and tentacles into the flour mixture and shake off the excess.  
  2. Gently place the calamari into the 370f vegetable oil.  Don’t overcrowd the pan.  Depending on the size of the calamari rings and pan size you might have to fry 1 to 2 more batches.

Recipe process shot collage group number three.

  1. Give the calamari a gentle stir to prevent any of the pieces from sticking together.
  2. After 3-4 minutes the calamari will be perfectly fried and golden.  Remove with a slotted spoon and place onto a wire rack or paper towels to drain.

Recipe process shot collage group number four.

  1. Immediately salt the fried calamari.  Right after exiting the oil is the best time to salt fried food.  Place the fried calamari in the oven to keep warm.  Scoop any excess flour bits and gunk out of the oil and once the temp again hits 370f fry your next batch.  Repeat until all the calamari is fried.  

This Italian appetizer is best served right away.  In fact, I like to make a batch with my family at the table and serve it up immediately.  They can enjoy it while I wait to fry the second batch.

Serve alongside lemon wedges and a simple marinara sauce. 

You can also add some chopped cherry peppers for extra heat if desired.  Alternately, you can flour and fry the cherry peppers in the same manner as the calamari.

Hands holding baking sheet and wire rack with fried calamari.

Top tips for the best fried calamari

This favorite appetizer may seem intimidating, or something you’d only consider ordering in a restaurant. 

I’m here to tell you that not only can you make this easily in your own kitchen, but that it will be better than any you get in a restaurant!  Here are a few tips to help you along the way:

  • Texture is everything.  For maximum tenderness, use smaller squid.  The larger the squid, the tougher it will be.  I also soak my calamari in a water, baking soda, and salt bath for 15 minutes before frying to help ensure a more tender texture.  Some people prefer to soak in milk as the lactic acid helps to tenderize the calamari.  If you choose to do this, use enough milk to cover the calamari.  This will also yield a thicker batter.
  • Don’t forget to season.  Calamari is a fairly bland food so it’s essential to season it with salt.  The best time to salt any fried food is as soon as it comes out of the oil.  At this stage, the fried food will soak up the salt and allow it to essentially melt into the fried calamari.  
  • Prep the oil. In between batches of calamari, be sure to skim out the bits of gunk from the oil and ensure the temp reaches 370f again before frying the next batch.

Close up shot of fried calamari.

More seafood recipes 

In the mood for seafood?  Creating your menu for The Feast of the Seven Fishes?  We’ve got you covered.  Here are a few of our tried and true favorites, from our family to yours.  Mangia!

  • Calamari salad – Cold calamari salad with celery, olives, red roasted peppers, and red onion in a lemon vinaigrette. 
  • Clams oreganata – Baked clams with garlicky breadcrumbs – perfect for seven fishes!
  • Clams in red sauce – Garlicky red sauce with little neck clams and basil.
  • Shrimp fra diavolo – Another NY classic.  Shrimp and linguine are tossed in a spicy marinara sauce.
  • Mussels marinara – Quick and easy appetizer of mussels in garlicky tomato sauce.
  • Linguine alle vongole – The classic Italian white clam sauce with linguine.
  • Pan seared swordfish – Sicilian style with olives and capers.

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Fried Calamari

5 from 7 votes
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Tender calamari is lightly dusted with flour and corn starch and fried until golden and crisp. Serve with lemon wedges and a simple marinara.

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound calamari tubes cut into 1/2" circles and tentacles left whole
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for sprinkling after frying
  • water enough to cover calamari in bowl
  • vegetable oil enough to fill pan at least 1" high
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup cherry peppers optional, see notes below
  • 2 large lemons cut into wedges

Flour mixture (mix together in large bowl)

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup corn starch
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 200f. Place the calamari into a bowl and cover with water. Stir in the baking soda and kosher salt and set aside for 15 minutes.
  • While the calamari is soaking heat vegetable oil to 370f in a cast iron or heavy gauge frying pan.
  • After 15 minutes remove the calamari and pat dry.
  • Place calamari into the flour mixture and shake off excess. Gently place the floured calamari into the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes or until golden. Work in batches and do not crowd the pan.
  • Remove the fried calamari with a slotted spoon and place onto a wire rack. Sprinkle with salt immediately. Place the fried calamari into the oven to keep warm.
  • Remove any bits of flour from the oil and once it again reaches 370f fry the next batch. Repeat the process until finished. Serve with marinara, lemon wedges, and/or cherry peppers. Enjoy.

Notes

  • Salting the calamari after frying is key to having great flavor.  The hot calamari will readily absorb the salt so do this immediately after each batch comes out of the oil.
  • For a thicker batter, place calamari in milk for 15 minutes instead of water then proceed to dip into the flour mixture and fry the pieces.
  • Use this marinara sauce or make your own.
  • Cherry peppers can be served on the side or dipped in flour and fried along with the calamari.
  • Fried calamari should be eaten immediately and shouldn't be served for leftovers.  If you must have it leftover, reheat in the oven and not the microwave.

Nutrition

Calories: 466kcal | Carbohydrates: 26.8g | Protein: 20.4g | Fat: 29.6g | Saturated Fat: 5.4g | Cholesterol: 263mg | Sodium: 633mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 0.1g | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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16 Comments

  1. Tricia Walters says:

    5 stars
    Fantastic!

    1. Tara says:

      Hi Trica, we’re so happy you enjoyed and thanks for the comment!

  2. Johanna says:

    You make everything so easy Thank you. What does the. Baking soda do my dad never used it and neither do I. But I am willing to learn new things.

    1. Tara says:

      Hi Johanna, the baking soda helps to tenderize the calamari, similar to soaking in milk. Hope that helps!

  3. SharonM says:

    Hi, I’m here to find out if anyone else had the oil boil over with foam?? I’ve made calamari many time (usually use Giada’s recipe) but this time I wanted to check this one because I love your Italian recipes… I added the cornstarch (I usually only use flour) and the only other change was that I used avocado & olive oil combination. Every time I loaded the squid in, it foamed up so badly I had to take it off, stir and calm it down (heat wasn’t even at 370). Thankfully we have an electric glass stovetop and not gas or we would’ve been up in smoke! Anyway, science?? (I’m guessing the cornstarch was the difference) thanks, Sharon

    1. Jim says:

      Hi Sharon,

      There should be no difference. Cornstarch and flour are both excellent for frying and are 100% interchangeable. My guess is the excess cornstarch got into the oil if you didn’t shake them off enough before dropping into the oil. The issue can happen with both flour and cornstarch. I show in the video, the oil and the amount of cornstarch I used, along with how clean I kept the oil. That might help. All the best, Jim

    2. Terri says:

      5 stars
      Wonderfully delicious and so tender! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. My family and I enjoyed the calamari just as we have in our restaurant. It was my first time making this at home and a huge success!

      1. Tara says:

        We’re so happy you enjoyed it, Terri!

  4. Marsha says:

    Can you use an air fryer?

    1. Jim says:

      Hi Marsha, we haven’t tested this recipe in an airfryer so can’t say for sure. If you do try it, please let us know how it works out for you.

  5. Debra Egan Bazali says:

    5 stars
    Thank you Jim for charing these wonderful recipes for the upcoming Christmas Holiday!!

    1. Jim says:

      Hi Debra, thanks for the comment and happy you liked the recipe!

  6. Julia says:

    5 stars
    My mom always soaked calamari in buttermilk overnight. Then dipped in seasoned flour and they were so tender & delicious!

  7. Alessio (Alex) Garcia says:

    5 stars
    I give it a 5 star rating

    1. Jim says:

      Thanks, Alessio. Glad you enjoyed it.

    2. Terry says:

      5 stars
      I love watching Jim. I grew up with my Italian grandmother and watched her cook. He is so traditional, easy to follow and brings back so many memories.