Tender Fried Calamari

Elevate your appetizer game with this irresistible Tender Fried Calamari recipe, featuring perfectly crispy, golden squid rings with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Marinated in tangy buttermilk to ensure incomparable tenderness, these calamari rings are coated in a flavorful blend of flour, cornstarch, and spices like paprika and garlic powder, then fried to perfection. With a quick prep time of just 20 minutes and a total cooking time of 10 minutes, this dish is ideal for creating a restaurant-worthy experience in your own kitchen. Serve with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of parsley for a vibrant, zesty finish. Whether you're hosting guests or treating yourself, this classic seafood favorite is sure to impress! Perfect for seafood lovers, this recipe captures the essence of crispy calamari appetizer bliss.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Calamari (squid), cleaned and sliced into rings
• 250 ml Buttermilk
• 200 grams All-purpose flour
• 50 grams Cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 500 ml Oil for frying
• 4 pieces Lemon wedges for serving
• 2 tablespoons Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Clean the calamari and slice it into 1 cm thick rings. Pat dry with paper towels.

Step 2

Place the calamari in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over it. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to tenderize the squid.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well.

Step 4

Heat the oil in a deep frying pan or pot to 180°C (350°F). Use a thermometer to ensure the correct frying temperature.

Step 5

Remove the calamari from the buttermilk, letting any excess drip off. Coat the rings thoroughly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.

Step 6

Carefully drop the coated calamari into the hot oil in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Step 7

Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried calamari and place it on a tray lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 8

Repeat the process with the remaining calamari.

Step 9

Serve the calamari immediately with lemon wedges on the side and a sprinkle of chopped parsley for garnish if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1582.9 grams (1582.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5988

Total Fat 519.80g	666%
Saturated Fat 79.10g	395%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.50g
Cholesterol 1193mg	398%
Sodium 4447mg	193%
Total Carbohydrate 239.30g	87%
Dietary Fiber 9.30g	33%
Total Sugars 15.30g
Protein 135.90g	272%

Vitamin D 134IU	671%
Calcium 480mg	37%
Iron 14mg	78%
Potassium 2243mg	48%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 75.7%

Protein: 8.8%

Carbs: 15.5%