Tillie Doyle
Cooking dried squid in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this seafood. It can be cooked from frozen, or fresh, and is a healthier alternative to deep-frying. The key to getting the perfect fried calamari is to ensure the squid is tenderized and evenly coated in a layer of breading. The squid should then be cooked in the air fryer for around 4 minutes, before being flipped and cooked for a further 3 minutes.
Characteristics and their values for cooking dried squid in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat Air Fryer | 10 minutes at the hottest setting |
| Thaw the frozen squid | In the fridge for up to 24 hours or in a colander under cold running water for 15 minutes |
| Tenderize | Soak in buttermilk or milk, or use a baking soda and salt brine |
| Oil | Avocado oil or butter |
| Temperature | 400°F |
| Cooking Time | 4 minutes, flip, then 2-3 minutes |
| Cooling Time | 2-3 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your dried squid cooks evenly and efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for the best results:
Firstly, ensure your air fryer is set to its hottest setting. Different models may have varying maximum temperatures, so it is important to refer to your air fryer's instruction manual if you are unsure. The ideal temperature for cooking dried squid is around 400°F, so adjust the dial to the highest setting to achieve this temperature.
Next, allow the air fryer to preheat for a full 10 minutes. This duration is crucial as it ensures the cooking surface inside the air fryer reaches the desired temperature. During this time, you can prepare the dried squid by patting it dry with paper towels and setting up your breading station, if using a batter. It is important to ensure the squid is dry to prevent excess moisture from affecting the cooking process.
While the air fryer preheats, it is important to have the cooking basket or tray inside. This ensures the basket or tray is also heated, creating a consistent cooking environment for the dried squid. If you are using a batter, you can coat the squid with the wet batter and then the dry breading during this time, so it is ready to be placed into the air fryer once the preheating is complete.
Finally, once the preheating cycle is finished, you can carefully place the prepared dried squid into the air fryer. Ensure the pieces do not overlap, working in batches if necessary. Spray the tops of the squid with a non-stick cooking spray or avocado oil to promote even cooking and browning.
By following these steps, you will ensure your air fryer is properly preheated, creating the ideal cooking environment for your dried squid.
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Prepare the dried squid
Preparing dried squid in an air fryer is a simple process. First, purchase your squid. Squid is available at your local fish market or in the frozen section of many supermarkets. It usually comes frozen and already prepped for cooking. If you are using frozen squid, it is important to thaw it before cooking. To do this, place the squid in a colander and thaw it in the sink under cold running water. Toss it around several times and it should be completely thawed in about 15 minutes. If you have more time, you can also thaw the squid in the fridge, which can take up to 24 hours. Once thawed, place the squid on a tray lined with paper towels to dry.
Next, you will need to prepare your breading station. In a shallow bowl or tray, combine an egg and a small amount of water, whisking until combined. You can add spices to this mixture if you wish. Then, add flour and combine it with the wet ingredients using a fork until the mixture reaches the consistency of a thin pancake batter. Place the dried squid into the wet batter and toss to coat. Once coated, lift the squid with a fork and allow the excess batter to drip off.
Now, it's time to bread the squid. Place the squid into the dry breading mixture and spoon the mixture over the squid to completely coat it. You can also put the dry breading into a bag and toss the squid around, but this may result in an uneven coat.
Finally, spray the tops of the squid with a non-stick cooking spray or avocado oil. This will help to ensure that the squid doesn't stick to the air fryer basket and will also help to crisp up the breading.
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Make a sauce or batter
To make a batter for your dried squid, you can use a combination of egg, flour, and water. Start by whisking an egg with a fork in a shallow bowl or tray. Add a small amount of water to the egg—around 1/8 teaspoon of fine-grind sea salt or kosher salt—and whisk until combined. You can also add additional spices to the mixture if you want a more flavorful batter. Next, add flour to the wet mixture and combine until you have a thin pancake batter consistency. You can now coat your dried squid with this batter.
Another option is to make a wet batter using a combination of mayonnaise, honey, and wasabi. Simply mix these ingredients in a bowl until well combined. You can also add other ingredients like red pepper and sugar to taste. This sauce can then be spread over the prepared squid before air frying.
If you are looking for a simple sauce to dip your air-fried dried squid in, you can try a combination of red pepper paste, vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, and sesame oil. Alternatively, you can dip your dried squid in marinara sauce for an Italian-American restaurant experience.
Remember to preheat your air fryer to the hottest setting for about 10 minutes before cooking your battered or sauced dried squid. Place the coated squid in the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring that the pieces do not overlap, and cook until crispy and browned.
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Cook the squid
First, prepare the dried squid by cutting it into rings or strips. If you are using frozen squid, make sure to thaw it completely before cooking. You can do this by placing it in the fridge for up to 24 hours or using the cold water method, which involves placing the squid in a colander and running cold water over it for about 15 minutes.
Pat the squid dry with paper towels. If you are using a wet batter, you can coat the squid pieces at this point. If not, brush or spray the squid with oil, such as avocado oil, to prevent it from sticking to the air fryer basket and to promote even cooking.
Place the squid pieces in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the squid in batches. Set the air fryer to the desired temperature and cooking time, keeping in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the dryness of the squid and the model of your air fryer. As a reference, some recipes suggest cooking the squid for a total of 6-12 minutes at temperatures ranging from 180°C to 400°F.
During the cooking process, remember to shake the basket or flip the squid pieces to ensure even cooking on both sides. Check on the squid regularly to avoid overcooking, as the cooking time can vary depending on the desired level of doneness.
Once the squid is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious, crispy dried squid!
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Serve with sides or dips
Dried squid is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. It can be enjoyed as a snack on its own or paired with nuts and an alcoholic beverage. For an extra burst of flavour, try dipping it in your favourite sauce.
If you're looking for a more substantial meal, dried squid can be served as a side dish or main course. In Europe, grilled squid is commonly served with a side of chips, rice, salad, or crusty bread to soak up the flavoured oil. You could also try roasting some sweet potato chips or serving simple boiled potatoes drizzled with olive oil or melted butter.
For a more exotic option, dried squid can be used as a side dish for rice-based meals. In Korea, dried squid is served cold with strips of rehydrated squid cooked in a sweet and spicy chili pepper paste. This dish is often served with steamed pork patties, which release a rich umami juice that can be drizzled over the rice.
Alternatively, you can get creative and experiment with different dips and sauces to serve with your air-fried dried squid. Try a garlic sauce, a red pepper paste sauce, or a honey mayonnaise dip.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cut the squid vertically and horizontally to make it easier to eat. Then, prepare your sauce and spread it on the squid. Place the squid in the air fryer and bake at 180 degrees for 12 minutes.
It depends on the power of your air fryer and the dryness of the squid. On average, it should take around 12 minutes to cook dried squid in an air fryer.
The ideal temperature to cook dried squid in an air fryer is 180 degrees Celsius.
Yes, you can cook frozen calamari in an air fryer. First, thaw the frozen calamari in the fridge or under cold running water. Then, pat them dry and follow the same cooking instructions as above.
