Air-Fryer Calamari: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, delicious, and healthy calamari without the mess and intimidation of deep frying. This easy recipe can be made with simple ingredients and is a healthier alternative to deep-fried calamari. You can use fresh or frozen calamari, and the dish can be made gluten-free and dairy-free with a few simple substitutions.

How to tenderise the calamari

There are several ways to tenderise calamari before frying it in an air fryer.

Firstly, you can freeze the squid overnight and then thaw it in the refrigerator the day before cooking. Alternatively, you can buy frozen calamari and let it thaw overnight in the fridge. Freezing and then thawing the squid will help to tenderise the meat.

Secondly, you can tenderise the calamari by marinating it in buttermilk for 30 minutes to an hour. Buttermilk contains enzymes that help to tenderise the meat and will also add flavour to the dish. If you don't have buttermilk, you can use milk instead. Soak the calamari rings in the milk for around an hour, keeping the bowl in the refrigerator.

Another method for tenderising calamari is to use a baking soda solution. Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in water and soak the calamari for about 15 minutes. Then, rinse the calamari thoroughly and pat it dry.

Finally, when preparing the calamari for frying, it is important to cut the squid into the right thickness. Rings thicker than half an inch will cook more slowly and may result in a rubbery texture, while rings thinner than a quarter of an inch are more likely to overcook and become tough. Aim for rings that are between a quarter and a half-inch thick.

How to prepare the calamari for cooking

Preparing calamari for cooking is simple, and you can use a variety of methods to cook it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare calamari for cooking:

Firstly, purchase your calamari. You can usually find fresh or frozen calamari tubes and tentacles in the seafood section of your local grocery store or fish market. If you are buying frozen calamari, it is best to thaw it before cooking. You can do this by leaving it in the refrigerator for 8-10 hours or by using the defrost function on your microwave for 4 minutes. Alternatively, you can defrost it in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.

Once your calamari is ready, it's time to start preparing it for cooking. If your calamari is not pre-cut, use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to remove each tentacle from the body. Then, cut the body into tubes or rings that are around 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick. If the tentacles are very long, trim them to a more manageable length.

At this point, you can choose to tenderize the calamari to improve its texture and make it less chewy. There are a few different methods for tenderizing:

• Soak the calamari in lemon juice for 15 minutes. The acid in the lemon will help to tenderize the meat.
• Marinate the calamari in buttermilk for 30 minutes to an hour. Buttermilk contains enzymes that will tenderize the meat and also add flavour.
• Create a brine solution by mixing baking soda, salt, and water. Submerge the calamari in the brine and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Now your calamari is ready to be cooked! You can cook it in an air fryer, on the stovetop, or even on the grill. For an air fryer, follow the steps outlined in the previous paragraphs. For stovetop cooking, you can sauté, boil, or deep fry the calamari. If you want to grill your calamari, it is best to pre-cook it using one of the other methods first to ensure it doesn't become tough and dry.

How to make the breading

The breading is a key component of air fryer calamari, giving it a crispy texture and enhancing its flavour. Here's a step-by-step guide to making the perfect breading for your air-fried calamari:

Step 1: Prepare the Flour Mixture

Start by preparing a flour mixture in a large bowl. You can use all-purpose flour or opt for a gluten-free alternative. Combine the flour with other dry ingredients such as arrowroot flour/cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix these ingredients well to ensure they are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Prepare the Wet Mixture

In a separate bowl, create a wet mixture by whisking together ingredients like eggs, milk, and/or water. You can also add a pinch of salt to this mixture. The wet mixture will help the flour coating adhere to the calamari and promote browning during cooking.

Step 3: Combine Panko Breadcrumbs

In a third bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with oil, paprika, and seasonings like Old Bay Seasoning, Italian seasoning, onion powder, or garlic powder. Panko breadcrumbs are ideal because they have a light and airy texture that crisps up nicely during cooking. However, if you can't find panko, traditional breadcrumbs can be used as well.

Step 4: Coat the Calamari

Now, it's time to coat the calamari rings. First, dip them in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour. Then, dip them in the wet mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, toss them in the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to ensure an even coating.

Step 5: Let the Coating Set

Before air frying, it's a good idea to let the coated calamari sit on a rack or tray for a while. This helps the breadcrumbs dry and adhere better to the calamari. You can also chill them in the fridge for a more crisp coating.

Step 6: Spritz with Oil

Once your air fryer is preheated, spritz the cooking surface with oil. Then, place the breaded calamari in a single layer and spritz the tops with oil as well. This step ensures that your calamari gets that golden, crispy texture.

Tips for the Perfect Breading:

• Always shake off excess flour and egg mixture to avoid clumping and ensure a crisp coating.
• Gently press the calamari into the breadcrumbs for an even coating, but don't overuse the breadcrumbs.
• If your breading keeps falling off, try chilling the coated calamari in the fridge for a while before air frying.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the calamari in batches if needed to ensure even cooking and crispness.
• Be generous with the oil spritzing for the best crunch and flavour.

Now you're ready to cook your breaded calamari in the air fryer! Enjoy the delicious, crispy results!

How to cook the calamari in the air fryer

How to cook calamari in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 lb calamari, cleaned and sliced into rings
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free if needed)
• 1/4 cup arrowroot flour/cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Avocado oil spray
• 2 tsp lemon juice, plus zest from half a lemon
• 1/4 tsp sumac, ground (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup olive oil or avocado oil

Method

• Soak the calamari rings in milk for at least an hour, or up to four to five hours. This will help to tenderise the rings. You can also use a dairy-free milk alternative.
• Prepare your breading station by adding flour, arrowroot, spices, salt and pepper to a large bowl and mixing well.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380ºF-400ºF.
• Take one calamari ring from the milk and shake off any excess.
• Coat the calamari in the flour mixture and tap off any excess flour.
• Place the calamari on a plate and repeat with the remaining rings.
• When your air fryer is ready, spray some oil on the bottom of the tray.
• Add the calamari rings in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. You may need to work in batches.
• Spray oil on the rings.
• Cook at 380ºF-400ºF for four to five minutes.
• Flip the rings over, spray again with oil and cook for another four to five minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Serve immediately with lemon wedges, fresh parsley and a dip of your choice.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Work in batches to ensure the rings aren't touching, which will help them get crispy.
• Shake off any excess flour to remove residue from the calamari rings after air frying.
• Don't be afraid to open the air fryer and check on the calamari to ensure it isn't browning too quickly. If needed, reduce the heat or cooking time.
• Tenderise the rings by soaking in milk. If you can't have dairy, use a dairy-free alternative.
• Spray the calamari with oil to ensure they are well coated and become crispy.
• Don't let the squid sit in flour; only coat them when you're ready to put them in the air fryer.
• Be careful when flipping the rings over, as tongs could remove some of the coating.

Alternative methods

For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free all-purpose flour or white rice flour. You can also use cornmeal for polenta instead of classic flour.

How to store and reheat the calamari

Storing and reheating calamari can be tricky because the squid is so delicate. It's easy to overcook and ruin the tender texture, resulting in rubbery calamari. Here is a guide to help you store and reheat your calamari to perfection:

Storing Calamari:

• If you have leftover cooked calamari, you can store it in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
• For the refrigerator, wrap the cooked calamari tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It will last up to three days.
• To freeze calamari, wrap it in airtight plastic wrap or seal it in an airtight freezer bag. Flash-freeze by laying it out on a parchment-lined baking tray for one hour, then transfer to the freezer, where it can be stored for up to three months.
• Always wait for the calamari to cool completely before covering and storing it.
• To maintain crispness, store the calamari submerged in dry breadcrumbs, which will help absorb any moisture.

Reheating Calamari in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for fresh calamari or 400°F (200°C) for frozen.
• Place the calamari in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the pieces have space around them. Do not overcrowd the basket, as this will cause the calamari to steam and turn soggy.
• Spray the calamari with a light coating of oil (optional).
• Reheat for 3-5 minutes for fresh calamari or 6-9 minutes for frozen, until heated through and crispy.
• Season with salt and pepper, and serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Other Reheating Methods:

• Oven: Preheat to 370°F (190°C) or 450°F (230°C) for frozen calamari. Place calamari on a wire rack or baking tray and heat for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until hot and crispy.
• Toaster Oven: Preheat to 350°F and bake for about 10-12 minutes on the medium setting, or until sizzling.
• Deep Fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, or until the calamari floats.
• Pan-Frying: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add calamari and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Frequently asked questions