Air-Fryer Calamari: Perfect Timing For Tender, Crispy Rings

Air fryers are a great way to make calamari, with the end result being just as crunchy and tasty as deep-fried versions. The cooking time varies depending on the air fryer model, but generally, it takes around 10 minutes in total to cook the calamari. Some recipes suggest cooking for 4 minutes, flipping, and then cooking for another 3-5 minutes. Others suggest cooking for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket at the halfway point.

How to prepare the calamari for frying

Preparing calamari for frying is a simple process, but there are a few steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a guide on how to prepare calamari for frying:

Firstly, you will need to gather your ingredients. For the calamari, you can use fresh or frozen squid, which is widely available at most grocery stores or fish markets. You can buy it cleaned and prepped for cooking, or you can clean and cut it yourself. If you are starting with whole squid, you will need to cut and clean them. Start by rinsing the squid under cool water, then pull the tentacles away from the body. Slice the head off the tentacles and discard it. Remove the beak from the tentacles and clean out any innards from the body of the squid. You should also remove the clear quill and any membrane on the outside of the squid, then cut off the large fins on each side of the body. Finally, slice the body into rings, and your squid is ready to be used!

Next, you will need to tenderize the calamari. This step is important to ensure that your calamari is not rubbery or tough. There are a few different methods you can use for tenderizing. One common method is to soak the calamari in milk or buttermilk. The lactic acid in the milk helps to tenderize the muscle fibres of the calamari. You can also use dairy-free milk if you prefer. Simply soak the calamari rings in enough milk to cover them for at least one hour, or up to four to five hours if you have the time. Another option is to soak the calamari in lemon juice, which will also help to tenderize and add flavour to the squid. Yet another alternative is to use a baking soda and salt brine, which works well if you are dairy-free. To make the brine, simply mix baking soda, kosher salt, and water in a large bowl until the solids are dissolved, then submerge the calamari and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Once your calamari is tenderized, it's time to set up your breading station. You will need three bowls for this step. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour. You can also add other dry ingredients to the flour to create a seasoned flour mixture. Some options include cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix the ingredients in the first bowl until they are well combined. In the second bowl, whisk an egg and milk together. You can use regular milk or dairy-free milk for this step. The third bowl will contain a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and seasonings such as salt and pepper.

Now that your breading station is set up, it's time to start coating the calamari. Take a calamari ring and coat it first in the flour mixture, then in the egg and milk mixture, and finally in the panko mixture. Make sure to tap off any excess flour or egg mixture before moving on to the next step. Repeat this process until all of your calamari rings are coated.

Once all of your calamari rings are coated, they are ready to be fried! You can use an air fryer, a deep fryer, or a pot of hot oil on the stovetop for this step. If you are using an air fryer, preheat it to 380-400°F and place the coated calamari rings inside in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Spray the tops of the rings with cooking spray and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. If you are using a deep fryer or a pot of hot oil, heat the oil to 350-375°F and carefully place the coated calamari rings in the oil. Fry them in small batches for 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Be sure to use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to remove the calamari from the hot oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

And that's it! You have now prepared and fried your calamari. Serve it immediately with your choice of dipping sauce, such as marinara sauce, cocktail sauce, lemon aioli, or lemon wedges. Enjoy!

How to make the breading

Making the breading for calamari is a simple process, but it's important to get it right to ensure your calamari is tender and crispy. Here's a step-by-step guide to making the perfect breading:

Step 1: Prepare the Calamari

Before you start making the breading, it's important to prepare the calamari. Start by rinsing your fresh squid under cool water. Pull the tentacles away from the body and slice off the head, then remove the beak from the tentacles. Clean out the body of the squid, discarding the innards and the clear quill. If there is a membrane on the outside of the squid, remove it, along with the large fins on each side of the body. Finally, slice the body into rings of a similar size, so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Soaking the Calamari

Once your calamari is prepared, it's time to soak it in a tenderizing liquid. This step helps to tenderize the calamari and improve its texture. You can use milk, buttermilk, or lemon juice for this step. If using milk or buttermilk, cover the calamari in the liquid and let it soak for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight if you have the time. If using lemon juice, soak the calamari for around 15 minutes. This step not only helps with tenderization but also adds flavour to the squid.

Step 3: Prepare the Breading Station

Now it's time to set up your breading station. You'll need three bowls for this step. In the first bowl, place your chosen tenderizing liquid (milk, buttermilk, or beaten eggs). In the second bowl, combine all-purpose flour with your choice of seasonings. You can use salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, or garlic powder. Mix these ingredients well. In the third bowl, add your chosen breadcrumbs. You can use panko breadcrumbs for a crispier texture.

Step 4: Coat the Calamari

Take each piece of calamari from the tenderizing liquid, letting any excess liquid drip off. Then, coat the calamari in the flour mixture, making sure it's fully covered. Tap off any excess flour, as this can cause the breading to fall off during cooking. Finally, dip the calamari into the bowl of breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating. Repeat this process until all your calamari pieces are coated.

Step 5: Fry the Calamari

Once your calamari is coated, it's time to fry it. Preheat your air fryer to around 380-400°F (200°C). Place the calamari pieces into the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. You may need to work in batches. Spray the tops of the calamari with a cooking spray, such as avocado oil spray, to help achieve a crispy texture.

Cook the calamari for around 4-5 minutes, then flip the pieces over and spray with cooking spray again. Cook for a further 4-5 minutes, or until the calamari is golden brown and crispy.

And that's it! You now have perfectly breaded and fried calamari to enjoy. Serve it with your choice of dipping sauce, such as marinara sauce, lemon aioli, or tartar sauce, and enjoy!

How long to cook the calamari for

The cooking time for your calamari will depend on the type of air fryer you have, the temperature you set it to, and whether you are cooking the calamari from frozen or fresh.

For a 7-litre air fryer, you can cook fresh calamari at 200°C for 13 minutes. Shake the basket after 7 minutes and continue cooking for another 6 minutes. If your fryer is very large, you can cook all the calamari at once at 200°C for about 20 minutes, turning them halfway through.

If you are using an air fryer with a smaller capacity, you may need to cook the calamari in batches. In this case, cook the calamari at 200°C for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for a further 3 minutes.

If you are cooking frozen calamari, you will need to increase the cooking time slightly. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C for 10 minutes, then place the frozen calamari in the basket and air fry at 175°C for 8-10 minutes. Flip the calamari after 4-5 minutes.

It is important to note that every air fryer is different, so you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature slightly depending on your appliance. Always keep an eye on your calamari while it is cooking to ensure that it doesn't burn or become overcooked.

How to reheat the calamari

If you have any leftover fried calamari, you can reheat it in the air fryer to restore its crispiness. Set your air fryer to 400°F and place the calamari inside for 2 to 3 minutes or until crunchy.

If you have frozen pre-breaded calamari, you can cook it directly from frozen. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 10 minutes. Then, place the frozen calamari in the basket and air fry at 350°F/175°C for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping it halfway through.

If you have already cooked and cooled your calamari, you can reheat it in the air fryer to retain its crispiness. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 10 minutes. Then, place the cooled calamari in the basket and air fry at 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes. You can put more than one layer of calamari in the basket and toss it a couple of times during the reheating process.

To ensure your calamari is cooked to perfection, it should have a firm yet tender texture and not be chewy. Calamari can become rubbery when it is undercooked or overcooked.

What to serve the calamari with

Now that you've cooked your calamari to perfection, it's time to think about what to serve it with. Here are some side dishes and dips to elevate your crispy, tender calamari.

Sauces and Dips

A dipping sauce is a must for fried calamari, and there are plenty of options to choose from. The classic choice is a simple cocktail sauce with lemon wedges, but you could also serve a side of marinara sauce or tartar sauce. For something with a bit more kick, try a spicy sriracha mayonnaise or sriracha dipping sauce. A garlic aioli is another delicious option—you could even add truffle to make it extra gourmet. If you're after something creamy, a simple tzatziki sauce made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, herbs, and lemon juice is a great choice.

Salads

A fresh, light salad is a perfect accompaniment to fried calamari. A Greek salad is a natural choice, but you could also try an Italian chopped salad with garbanzo beans, tomatoes, olives, and artichoke hearts, or a healthy Caesar salad with a Greek yogurt dressing. If you're a fan of zucchini, try a Greek zucchini salad—thinly sliced zucchini with a traditional Greek salad dressing. For something a little different, a pineapple and cucumber salad with a spicy peanut dressing will add a tropical twist to your meal.

Starch Sides

Fried calamari goes well with a variety of starchy sides. French fries are a classic choice, but you could also try garlic bread, coleslaw, or mashed potatoes. If you're after something a little healthier, roast potatoes, lemon rice, or a nutty noodle salad are great options.

Seafood Sides

If you're a seafood lover, why not make it a feast and serve your calamari with some shrimp, crab, or oysters? Mexican shrimp cocktail, crispy fried oysters, and crab and corn fritters are all delicious options that will complement your calamari.

Vegetables

Grilled or roasted vegetables are a great way to round out your meal. Try zucchini, summer squash, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts.

Drinks

To drink, a cold beer or a crisp white wine are always good choices with fried calamari. If you're after something a little more fancy, a classic dry martini or a gin-based cocktail like a gin fizz or a gin and pineapple tonic will pair well with the seafood.

Frequently asked questions