Air-Fryer Calamari: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, delicious calamari without the mess and hassle of deep frying. You can use either fresh or frozen calamari, and the process is simple: cut the calamari into rings, tenderise them, coat them in flour or breadcrumbs, and then cook in the air fryer for around 10 minutes. You can serve your air-fried calamari with a variety of dips and sauces, such as marinara, cocktail sauce, or lemon juice.

How to prepare the calamari for the air fryer

Preparing calamari for the air fryer is simple and only requires a few steps. Firstly, clean the calamari by pulling away the tentacles and removing the eyes, beak, and cartilage. Rinse the squid and cut it into rings, and if the tentacles are large, halve them. Pat the calamari dry with kitchen paper, and if you're using frozen squid, ensure it's completely thawed.

Next, prepare a breading station. In one bowl, add flour, and in another, whisk an egg with milk. You can also add spices to the flour for extra flavour. In a third bowl, combine breadcrumbs with salt and pepper, and if you like, paprika, Old Bay Seasoning, or another seasoning mix.

Now, you're ready to bread the calamari. First, coat the calamari rings in flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them in the egg mixture, followed by the breadcrumbs, ensuring they're evenly coated.

Finally, preheat your air fryer to around 200°C (400°F) and lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil. Place the calamari rings inside, ensuring they're in a single layer and not overlapping. Spray the tops of the rings with oil and cook for around 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.

How to make the breading for the calamari

Making the breading for calamari is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to make the breading for calamari in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• Calamari: Fresh or frozen calamari rings or tubes.
• Milk: Regular or dairy-free milk is used to soak the calamari and help tenderize the squid.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is recommended, but you can also use gluten-free flour or rice flour.
• Cornstarch or Arrowroot Flour: This helps to get a crispy texture.
• Spices: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper can be added for flavour and heat.
• Egg: This is used as a wet mixture to coat the calamari before breading.
• Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs or regular plain breadcrumbs can be used.
• Oil: Avocado oil spray or a neutral oil like avocado or olive oil is recommended.

Instructions:

• Soak the calamari rings in milk for at least one hour, or longer if possible. This helps to tenderize the calamari and improve the texture.
• Prepare your breading station by combining the flour, cornstarch/arrowroot, and spices in a large bowl. Mix well to ensure everything is combined.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. You want to ensure your air fryer is nice and hot before adding the calamari.
• Take the calamari rings out of the milk, shaking off any excess.
• Coat the calamari rings in the flour mixture, ensuring they are fully covered. Tap off any excess flour and place the coated calamari on a plate.
• Repeat this process until all the calamari rings are coated in the flour mixture.
• Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil. This helps to ensure the calamari doesn't stick and adds to the crispy texture.
• Place the coated calamari rings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Work in batches if needed.
• Spray the tops of the calamari rings with oil. This helps to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Cook the calamari in the air fryer for 4-5 minutes, then flip the rings and spray with oil again.
• Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the calamari is golden brown and crispy.

By following these steps, you will achieve a delicious, crispy breading for your air-fried calamari. Enjoy!

How to cook the calamari in the air fryer

Yes, you can cook calamari in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Preparation

Before cooking the calamari, you need to prepare it. If you have bought frozen calamari, it is best to defrost it overnight in the refrigerator or by placing it in an airtight plastic bag and submerging it under cold running water for about 30 minutes per pound of calamari. Fresh calamari should be patted dry.

Next, cut the calamari bodies into rings that are about 3/4-inch thick. If the tentacles are very long, trim them.

Tenderizing

Un-tenderized calamari can have a rubbery texture, so it is important to tenderize it before cooking. You can do this by brining the calamari in buttermilk, milk, or a mixture of baking soda, salt, and water. If you are using buttermilk or milk, let the calamari soak for at least an hour, or up to four to five hours if you have the time. If you are using a baking soda mixture, 15 minutes will be enough.

Breading

Now it is time to prepare the breading. You will need three dishes for this step. In the first dish, place about 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour. You can also use gluten-free flour, but it is recommended to avoid almond flour as the coating may not stick as well. In the second dish, beat an egg with a little milk or egg whites. In the third dish, combine breadcrumbs (preferably panko), oil, paprika, Old Bay seasoning, and a pinch of black pepper.

Take the calamari out of the tenderizing mixture and let the excess drip off. Now, coat the calamari strips in flour; shake off any excess. Next, dip the calamari in the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off again. Finally, toss the calamari into the breadcrumb mixture and gently press to coat.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil. Place the calamari rings in a single layer in the basket, making sure they do not overlap. You may need to work in batches. Spray the tops of the calamari with oil.

Cook the calamari for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. They are ready when they are golden brown and crunchy on the outside.

Serving

Air-fried calamari goes well with a variety of dips and sauces, such as marinara sauce, aioli, tartar sauce, or cocktail sauce. You can also serve it with lemon wedges, or as a topping for pasta or tacos.

Reheating and Storage

If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, cook in the air fryer at 400°F for about 8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

How to reheat the calamari in the air fryer

How to Reheat Calamari in an Air Fryer

Preparation

Before reheating your calamari, ensure that it has been stored correctly. If you have leftover cooked calamari, you can either freeze or refrigerate it. To freeze, wrap the cooked calamari in airtight plastic wrap or seal it in an airtight freezer bag. To refrigerate, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. Refrigerated calamari will last up to three days.

When you're ready to reheat your calamari, take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 3-5 minutes. You can season it lightly with salt, black pepper, Old Bay Seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper for some spice.

Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 400°F. Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with a small amount of oil.

Place the calamari in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the pieces aren't crowded. If you want your calamari to be extra crispy, spray it lightly with cooking spray.

Air fry for 2-4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Check if your calamari has reached your desired level of crispness. If not, air fry for another 1-2 minutes.

Your calamari is now ready to serve! Enjoy it while it's hot and crispy, and don't forget your favorite dipping sauce!

How to prevent the calamari from becoming rubbery

Yes, you can cook calamari in an air fryer. Here are some tips to prevent the calamari from becoming rubbery:

Soak the calamari in milk

Soaking the calamari in milk for at least an hour, or longer if you have time, will help to tenderise the rings. This is because the lactic acid in the milk tenderises the muscle fibres of the calamari. You can use dairy milk or a dairy-free alternative.

Don't overcook the calamari

Calamari should be cooked for a very short time (2 minutes or less over high heat) or for a very long time (at least 30 minutes). Anything in between will make the calamari rubbery. If you are cooking the calamari for a short time, try a piece before serving. If it is rubbery, cook it for 28 minutes or more, then try again.

Work in batches

To ensure the calamari rings get crispy, it is best to cook them in batches so that they are not touching each other.

Shake off excess flour

Removing any excess flour from the calamari rings after air frying will help to create a crispy texture.

Don't let the squid sit in flour

If you are working in batches, only coat the calamari in flour when you are ready to put them in the air fryer. This is because the flour can get gummy if it sits for too long.

Be careful when flipping

When turning the rings over, it is easiest to use your hands rather than tongs, which could remove some of the coating.

Frequently asked questions