Squid Air Fryer Cooking: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Yes, you can cook squid in an air fryer! This cooking method is perfect for achieving crispy, crunchy, tender squid without the mess and fuss of deep-frying. It's a healthier, quicker, and easier way to make this seafood classic, and you can use fresh or frozen squid.

Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Squid in an Air Fryer

Air fryer calamari recipes

Yes, you can cook squid in an air fryer! Here are some tips and recipes to help you get started.

Tips:

• If you are using frozen calamari, allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator before cooking. This can take up to 24 hours.
• Preheat your air fryer to its hottest setting for a full 10 minutes with the cooking surface inside.
• Tenderize the calamari by brining it in buttermilk or milk, or use a baking soda and salt brine as an alternative.
• Spray the calamari with avocado oil before cooking to ensure it gets crispy.
• Shake the basket midway through the cooking process to prevent overcooking.
• Check on the calamari at the 6-minute mark as cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer.
• Reheat any leftovers in the air fryer at 400°F for 2 to 3 minutes for crispy results.

Basic Air Fryer Calamari Recipe:

• Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with whisked egg and milk, and one with panko, salt, and pepper.
• Coat the calamari rings in flour, then dip them into the egg mixture, and finally, coat them with the panko mixture.
• Place the coated calamari rings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Work in batches if needed.
• Spray the tops of the calamari with non-stick cooking spray.
• Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 4 minutes, then flip the rings, spray again, and cook for about 3 more minutes, or until browned and crispy.

Variations:

• Spicy Calamari: Add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the breading.
• Garlic Parmesan Calamari: Add garlic powder and shredded parmesan cheese to the breading, and serve with garlic aioli.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free bread crumbs, or crush up fried pork rinds or nuts for a low-carb coating.
• Paleo: Use cassava flour, tapioca starch, or potato/arrowroot starch instead of regular flour.

How to tenderise squid before air frying

Yes, you can cook squid in an air fryer! The following are some tips on how to tenderise squid before air frying:

Thawing

If you are using frozen squid, it is important to thaw it completely before cooking. You can do this by placing the frozen squid in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or using the quick-thaw method by placing them in a colander and running cold water over them for about 15 minutes.

Tenderising Techniques

• Brining: Create a brine solution by stirring about 1 teaspoon of kosher salt into 1/2 cup of milk or buttermilk. Add your squid rings to the solution and refrigerate for around 30 minutes. This helps tenderise the squid, reduce any fishy odours, and ensures the flour coating adheres well.
• Baking Soda Brine: Another option is to make a brine with baking soda, kosher salt, and water. This method works on the science that raising the pH on the surface of the meat prevents proteins from bonding excessively, thus keeping the squid tender and moist.
• Beating: If you're after very tender squid, try giving it a good beating before cooking.
• Braising: Braising is a common way to prepare large cephalopods, and it can help to tenderise the meat.
• Cross-Hatching: Lightly cross-hatch the squid with a sharp knife before cooking.
• Fruit Enzymes: Certain fruits such as papaya and kiwifruit contain enzymes that act as meat tenderisers.
• Hot Water Dip: Try dipping the squid in hot water for a few seconds, then removing it and repeating the process.

Cooking and Coating

When you are ready to cook the squid, preheat your air fryer to the hottest setting for about 10 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, set up your breading station and pat the squid dry with paper towels. You can then coat the squid in a batter of your choice before placing it in the air fryer. A simple batter can be made by combining flour, egg, and water with a touch of salt. You can also add cornstarch and baking powder to the mixture for a golden-brown, crispy exterior.

Once the squid is coated, place it in the air fryer basket, ensuring the rings do not overlap. Spray the tops with a coat of avocado oil and air fry for about 4 minutes. Then, flip the rings, spray with avocado oil again, and cook for an additional 3 minutes or until browned and crispy. It is important to shake the basket midway through the cooking process and check on the squid after 6 minutes to ensure it does not overcook.

Enjoy your crispy, tender air-fried squid!

Air fryer temperature and timing for cooking squid

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook squid, providing a healthier alternative to deep-fried calamari. The ideal temperature for cooking squid in an air fryer is typically around 375°F (190°C) to 400°F (200°C). However, you can adjust the temperature if needed. Lower temperatures may result in a longer cooking time, while higher temperatures may risk burning the coating.

The cooking time for squid in an air fryer generally ranges between 6 to 12 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the squid pieces. For smaller calamari rings, around 6 to 8 minutes is often sufficient, while larger squid tubes may require up to 10 to 12 minutes to cook through properly. It’s important to keep an eye on the squid to prevent overcooking, which can result in a rubbery texture.

To check if the squid is cooked perfectly, cut into a piece to ensure that it is opaque and tender. The squid should be golden and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. If the squid looks translucent or has a rubbery texture, it may be undercooked. Conversely, if it’s overly tough or chewy, it has likely been overcooked. A good rule of thumb is to monitor the cooking time closely and to begin checking for doneness around the 6-minute mark.

If you have a meat thermometer, the internal temperature of the cooked squid should ideally be around 145°F (63°C). Using a food thermometer can help confirm that the air fryer has reached the appropriate temperature.

How to clean and prepare a whole squid for air frying

Cleaning and preparing a whole squid for air frying involves several steps, some of which may be considered unpleasant by some people. Here is a detailed guide to take you through the process:

Cleaning the Squid:

• Remove the tentacles: Pull the tentacles away from the body of the squid. Pull slowly, as this will bring out most of the internal organs, which are mostly white.
• Remove the cartilage: Inside the squid, there is a thin cartilage tube that runs the length of the body. Find one end and pull it out gently. It is not attached strongly, so it should come out easily.
• Clean out the insides: Squeeze out any remaining internal organs from inside the squid tube. You may need to use your fingers to reach inside and ensure that everything is removed.
• Remove the wings: Cut or pull off the flappy wings from the outside of the squid tube.
• Remove the skin: Peel or cut away the skin from the body of the squid, leaving behind the white flesh. The skin should come off easily.
• Remove the beak (mouth): In the middle of the tentacles, you will feel a hard, round lump, which is the beak or mouth of the squid. Grip it firmly and pull it out.
• Cut off the head: Sever the head from the tentacles, cutting between the eyes and the tentacles. Leave enough flesh to hold the tentacles together.

Preparing the Squid for Air Frying:

• Thaw the squid: If using frozen squid, place it in a colander and run cold water over it until it is completely thawed. This usually takes about 15 minutes.
• Dry the squid: Use paper towels to pat the squid dry. This step is important to ensure the batter adheres properly.
• Prepare the batter: In one bowl, combine flour, egg, and water with a touch of salt to create a wet mixture. In another bowl, prepare a dry breading mixture, such as panko breadcrumbs with salt and pepper. You can season the dry mixture with additional spices like Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, or paprika for extra flavor.
• Coat the squid: Dip the squid rings and tentacles into the wet batter, ensuring they are fully coated. Then, place them into the dry breading mixture and coat evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to its hottest setting and preheat it for about 10 minutes. You may also preheat it to a specific temperature, such as 400°F (200°C).
• Cook the squid: Place the coated squid into the air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces do not overlap. Spray the tops with a non-stick cooking spray or avocado oil. Air fry for about 4 minutes, then flip the pieces, spray again, and cook for an additional 3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Always ensure that your squid is fresh and absolutely odorless before cooking. Enjoy your air-fried calamari as an appetizer or main course, and don't forget your favorite dipping sauces!

Gluten-free alternatives for air fryer squid recipes

Yes, you can cook squid in an air fryer! The air fryer is a great way to cook squid as it gives it a crispy texture without the need for added oils or fats.

If you are looking for gluten-free alternatives, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can use gluten-free flour as a substitute for regular flour in a 1:1 ratio. Cassava flour is a popular choice for gluten-free and paleo-friendly cooking, and tapioca starch can be added to give the coating some extra crispiness. Potato and arrowroot starch are also viable options.

If you want to skip the flour altogether, you can use xanthan gum or guar gum to thicken the wet mixture of egg and water, creating a batter-like consistency. Cornstarch is another gluten-free alternative to flour that can be used as a binding agent.

To tenderize the squid, you can use a brine made with baking soda, salt, and water, which will help prevent the squid from becoming rubbery. If you are dairy-free, you can use a mixture of water and baking soda as a substitute for buttermilk or milk.

Finally, avocado oil is recommended to get that extra crispy texture, and it is important to shake the basket midway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Frequently asked questions