Air-Fried Calamari: A Healthy, Crispy Treat?

Air fryers are a great way to make fried calamari, a popular appetizer that is usually deep-fried. Using an air fryer means you can use less oil, which is healthier and creates less mess. It's also a lot easier to clean up afterwards! You can make delicious, crispy, golden, tender, and crunchy calamari in an air fryer in about 20 minutes.

How to tenderise the calamari

How to Tenderise Calamari

Calamari can become tough and chewy if it's overcooked, so it's important to tenderise it before frying. Here are some methods to help you achieve tender and crispy fried calamari:

Soaking in a Liquid

Soaking the calamari rings in a liquid solution is a common technique to tenderise them. This process not only helps to tenderise the meat but also reduces any strong fishy odours. Here are some options for the soaking liquid:

• Salted milk or buttermilk: Combine kosher salt with milk, and soak the calamari rings in this solution for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator. This method not only helps with tenderisation but also makes the flour coating adhere better to the calamari.
• Baking soda and water: Dissolve baking soda in water and soak the calamari for about 15 minutes. Rinse and dry the calamari thoroughly after soaking.

Physical Tenderisation

• Pounding: Place the calamari between two sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper. Using a meat mallet or a rolling pin, gently pound the calamari to break down the tough muscle fibres. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much pounding can make the calamari mushy.
• Scoring: Use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts or scores on the surface of the calamari. This technique helps to break down the muscle fibres and promotes even cooking.

Marinating

Marinating the calamari in a mixture of buttermilk and spices for 30 minutes to an hour can add flavour and create a light and crisp batter. Buttermilk contains enzymes that help to tenderise the meat.

Choosing the Right Cooking Method

Cooking calamari quickly over high heat or slowly over low heat can help prevent it from becoming tough. Air frying is an excellent choice for achieving crispy calamari without overcooking it.

How to cook crispy calamari in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 lb calamari, cleaned and sliced into rings
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or cornmeal for polenta)
• 1/4 cup arrowroot flour/cornstarch
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup cassava flour
• 1/2 cup tapioca flour
• 1/2 tsp ground paprika
• 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large egg whites
• 6 cups avocado oil or avocado oil spray for the air fryer
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce (optional dipping sauce)

Method

• Soak the calamari rings in milk (or buttermilk) for at least one hour, or up to four to five hours. This helps to tenderize the rings.
• Prepare your breading station by adding flour, arrowroot, spices, salt and pepper to a large bowl and mixing well.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F.
• 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 coated calamari on a plate and repeat with the remaining rings.
• Spray some oil on the bottom of the air fryer tray.
• Add the calamari rings to the tray, ensuring they are not touching. Spray oil on the rings.
• Cook at 380-400°F for four to five minutes.
• Flip the rings, spray with oil and cook for another four to five minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Serve immediately with lemon wedges and marinara sauce, if desired.

Tips

• Work in batches to ensure the rings are not touching, which will help them get crispy.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow hot air to circulate freely, resulting in even cooking and crispiness.
• Always preheat your air fryer to achieve a crispy texture faster and prevent the calamari from becoming soggy.
• Don't be afraid to open the air fryer and check on the calamari to ensure it isn't burning.
• Shake off any excess flour to avoid any residue on the rings.
• Spray the calamari with oil to ensure they get crispy.
• Don't let the squid sit in the flour for too long, as it can become gummy.
• Be careful when flipping the rings, as tongs could remove some of the coating.
• If you are using frozen calamari, there is no need to defrost it before cooking. Cooking from frozen will help achieve a crispy texture.

Enjoy your crispy, homemade calamari!

How to make paleo and gluten-free fried calamari

Ingredients:

• 1 pound calamari, cleaned and skins removed
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• Diamond Crystal kosher salt
• 1½ cups cold water
• 1 cup cassava flour
• ½ cup tapioca flour (or tapioca starch)
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large egg whites
• 6 cups avocado oil or avocado oil spray for air fryer
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• ½ cup marinara sauce (optional dipping sauce)

Method:

• Pat the calamari dry and cut the body into rings that are 3/4-inch thick. If there are tentacles, trim any that are super long.
• Add the baking soda, 1½ teaspoons of Diamond Crystal kosher salt, and water to a large bowl and stir until dissolved.
• Submerge the prepared calamari in the brine and place the bowl in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
• While the calamari is brining, prepare the coating. Whisk together the cassava flour, tapioca flour, and black pepper in a shallow bowl. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy.
• Place a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. You will put the flour-coated calamari on this rack before frying.
• After 15 minutes, drain the calamari and pat dry with paper towels or clean kitchen towels.
• Add the calamari to the whisked egg whites and toss well.
• In small batches, shake off any excess egg whites and dredge the calamari in the flour mixture. Make sure the insides of the calamari rings and all the tentacles are well coated.
• Shake off any excess flour and place the coated calamari on the wire rack in the rimmed baking sheet.
• If you are using a deep fryer, pour the avocado oil into a large Dutch oven or high-sided pot. The oil should reach about 2 inches up the sides. Heat the oil on medium-high until it reaches 350°F.
• Add half of the calamari to the hot oil and deep fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to transfer the fried calamari to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Season the fried calamari with a sprinkle of salt. Repeat the above steps with the remaining calamari. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and marinara sauce, if desired.
• If you are using an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• When it reaches temperature, spray the bottom of the basket with avocado oil and add enough calamari to make a single layer. Spray the calamari generously with avocado oil to ensure the coating doesn't remain powdery.
• Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown and crunchy, shaking the basket halfway through.
• Transfer the calamari to a plate and season with a sprinkle of salt. Repeat with the remaining calamari. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and marinara sauce, if desired.

Tips:

• If you are using table salt or Morton's brand kosher salt for the brine, use about half the amount of salt specified.
• The key to perfectly deep-fried food is ensuring the oil temperature is correct. Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature.
• The trick to getting perfect fried calamari from the air fryer is to make sure you spray on a nice coat of avocado oil onto the squid before cooking and to shake the basket midway through the cooking process. As air fryers vary, start checking on your calamari at the 6-minute mark to prevent overcooking.

How to store leftover cooked calamari

To store leftover cooked calamari, you should first let the dish cool down to room temperature. Then, transfer the calamari to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. Properly stored, cooked calamari can last between two to four days in the fridge or up to two months in the freezer.

If you're freezing the calamari, be sure to use an airtight container or a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. It is important to note that you should not refreeze previously frozen seafood for food safety reasons.

How to reheat frozen fried calamari

To reheat frozen fried calamari in an air fryer, follow these steps:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, remove the frozen fried calamari from its packaging and set it aside.

Next, arrange the frozen calamari in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It is important not to overcrowd the basket to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the calamari in batches.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket inside and cook the calamari for 8-10 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Remember to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

After 8-10 minutes, check if the calamari is golden brown and crispy. If not, return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Finally, remove the calamari from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious, crispy fried calamari!

Some additional tips for reheating frozen fried calamari in an air fryer:

• Always preheat your air fryer to achieve a crispy texture and prevent the calamari from becoming soggy.
• Avoid adding any extra crumbs to the air fryer basket, as they may burn before the calamari is fully cooked.
• For the best results, cook the frozen calamari directly from frozen. Do not thaw it before cooking, as this can affect the texture.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.

Frequently asked questions