Squid Air Fryer Cooking: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can cook squid in an air fryer! It is a delicious way to cook salt and pepper squid, or calamari, which is the Italian word for squid. The air fryer method is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, and it is also quick and easy to do. You can use frozen or fresh squid, and the results will be crispy and tasty.

Cooking Squid in an Air Fryer

Air fryer salt and pepper squid

Ingredients:

• Fresh or frozen squid
• Salt
• White pepper
• Chilli powder
• Cornflour
• Baking powder
• Milk
• Oil
• Lemon (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Squid

If using frozen squid, defrost it overnight in the refrigerator. Wash the squid under cold water and pat it dry with a kitchen paper towel. Clean the inside of the squid by pulling the head and tentacles away from the body. Remove the clear backbone and entrails, and cut the tentacles away from the head just below the eyes. Discard the head and the hard beak in the centre of the tentacles. Cut the tentacles into smaller pieces and remove the side wings. Rub the membrane from the body and rinse the body, tentacles, and wings thoroughly. Cut the squid hoods down one side, open them out, and pat them dry. Score the inside lightly with a small, sharp knife in a criss-cross pattern without cutting all the way through.

Step 2: Marinate the Squid

In a bowl, combine salt, white pepper, and chilli powder. In a separate bowl, sift cornflour and baking powder over the spice mix. Stir the squid in milk, then drain it. Toss the squid in the flour mixture to coat, shaking off any excess.

Step 3: Cook the Squid

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C for 3 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the squid in the basket, taking care not to overlap the pieces. Cook for 6 minutes, turning halfway through, or until golden and cooked through. If your air fryer is smaller, you may need to cook the squid in batches.

Step 4: Serve

Transfer the cooked squid to a tray and cover to keep warm. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining squid, if any. Top the squid with sliced chilli and green onion, and sprinkle with the reserved spice mix. Serve with lemon halves on the side, if desired.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and flavourful air fryer salt and pepper squid!

Air fryer frozen squid

Yes, you can cook frozen squid in an air fryer! It's a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook squid, and it can be done in a few simple steps.

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F ?(200°C) for about 3 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the frozen squid by removing it from its packaging and arranging it in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It is important to not overcrowd the basket, as this will lead to uneven cooking. You can use frozen breaded calamari rings or tubes, or a combination of rings and tentacles. If you are using frozen breaded calamari, you can skip the next step.

Next, prepare the wet batter and dry breading. In a shallow bowl or tray, combine an egg and water, and whisk until combined. Season with salt and any other desired spices. In a separate container, add flour and combine with a fork until the mixture reaches the consistency of a thin pancake batter.

Now, it's time to batter the squid. Dip the squid rings into the wet batter, ensuring they are fully coated. Then, place them into the dry breading mixture and coat them completely.

Once your squid is battered and your air fryer is preheated, you can place the squid into the air fryer basket. Cook the squid for 8-10 minutes at 400°F (200°C), shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. After 8-10 minutes, the squid should be golden brown and crispy. If it needs more time, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Finally, remove the squid from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara, aioli, or tartar sauce.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy, and healthy air-fried frozen squid. Enjoy!

Air fryer fresh squid

Yes, you can cook fresh squid in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for air fryer salt and pepper squid that will leave you with a crispy, flavourful side dish or starter.

Ingredients:

• Fresh squid
• Salt flakes
• Peppers
• Chilli powder
• Cornflour
• Baking powder
• Milk
• Oil spray

Method:

• Clean the squid by pulling the head and tentacles away from the body. Remove the clear backbone and entrails, then cut the tentacles away from the head below the eyes and discard the head and beak. Cut the tentacles in half or quarters if they are large.
• Remove the side wings and rub the membrane from the body. Rinse the body, tentacles and wings thoroughly.
• Cut the squid hoods down one side, open out and pat dry. Score the inside lightly with a small, sharp knife in a criss-cross pattern without cutting all the way through.
• Cut the squid hoods into 2.5cm x 5cm pieces.
• Combine salt flakes, peppers and chilli powder in a medium bowl, reserving 2 teaspoons of the spice mix to serve.
• Sift cornflour and baking powder over the remaining spice mix.
• Stir the squid in milk, then drain.
• Toss the squid in the flour mixture to coat, shaking off the excess.
• Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place half the squid in the basket and spray generously with oil.
• Cook for 6 minutes at 200˚C, turning halfway through, or until golden and cooked through.
• Transfer to a tray and cover to keep warm.
• Repeat cooking with the remaining squid and oil spray, adding sliced chilli and green onion during the last 30 seconds of cooking time.
• Top the squid with sliced chilli and green onion and sprinkle with the reserved spice mix.

Tips:

• You can tenderise the squid by soaking it in milk, or use a dairy-free alternative.
• Use avocado oil spray to get the squid extra crispy.
• Shake the basket midway through the cooking process.
• Check on the squid after 6 minutes to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Air fryer stuffed squid

Yes, you can cook squid in an air fryer! In fact, air-fried squid is a healthier alternative to deep-fried squid, as it requires very little oil. The air fryer method also produces equally crunchy and crispy results.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to make air fryer stuffed squid. This Mediterranean-style seafood dish is simple to make and full of flavour.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 small-medium-sized squid (calamari)
• 2 cups of cornmeal for polenta
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Filling of your choice (e.g. lemon, garlic, herbs)

Method:

• Clean the squid: Pull out the tentacles and set them aside. Remove the insides of the squid, including the cartilage. Cut off the eyes and the beak from the tentacles. Rinse the squid and tentacles.
• Prepare the filling: Choose a filling that suits your taste. A simple Mediterranean-style filling could include lemon zest, garlic, and herbs.
• Stuff the squid: Fill each squid with your chosen filling.
• Bread the squid: Place the cornmeal in a bowl. Add a small amount of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Mix well. Coat each stuffed squid in the cornmeal mixture.
• Air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Place the breaded squid in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Spray the surface with a little olive oil. Cook for a total of 13 minutes, shaking the basket after 7 minutes. The squid is ready when golden and crispy.
• Serve: Air fryer stuffed squid can be served as a main course. Enjoy!

Air fryer gluten-free squid

Yes, you can cook squid in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for gluten-free air fryer squid:

Ingredients

• Squid (calamari)
• Avocado oil
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Water
• Gluten-free flour (e.g. almond flour, buckwheat flour, rice flour, or a blend)
• Egg

Instructions

• Prepare the squid: If you are using frozen squid, thaw it in the fridge in a bag for up to 24 hours. If you are in a hurry, place the squid in a colander and run cold water over it for about 15 minutes. Pre-cut squid rings can be too thin, so it is recommended to buy pre-cleaned calamari that includes whole bodies and tentacles.
• Tenderise the squid: This step is optional but helps to prevent the squid from becoming rubbery. You can either soak the squid in buttermilk or milk, or you can make a brine with baking soda, salt, and water to tenderise and flavour the squid.
• Make the batter: In a shallow bowl, whisk together an egg and a few tablespoons of water. Season with salt and any other desired spices. Add in your chosen gluten-free flour and combine with a fork until you have a batter with the consistency of a thin pancake batter.
• Bread the squid: Place the squid rings into the wet batter and toss to coat. Lift each ring with a fork and allow the excess batter to drip off, then place the rings into a dry breading mixture. You can use a gluten-free flour that replaces all-purpose flour 1:1, or you can skip the flour and use xanthan gum or guar gum to thicken the wet mixture.
• Air fry the squid: Preheat your air fryer to the hottest setting for 10 minutes with the basket or tray inside. Spray the tops of the breaded squid rings with avocado oil and place them in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Work in batches if needed. Air fry for 4 minutes, then flip the rings, spray with avocado oil again, and cook for another 3 minutes or until browned and crispy.

Enjoy your gluten-free air fryer squid!

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