Cody Casey
If you're craving crispy, crunchy, tender, and perfectly cooked squid rings, then an air fryer is a great way to achieve this with minimal oil and fuss. Air-fried calamari is a speedy, tasty, and healthy alternative to deep-fried squid, and it's easy to make at home. You can use frozen or fresh squid, and the rings can be coated in a variety of batters and breadings, or simply cooked with a spray of oil and seasonings. The exact cooking time and temperature will depend on your air fryer, but on average, the squid rings will take around 10 minutes to cook at around 200°C.
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What You'll Learn
Tenderising the squid rings
One popular method is to soak the squid rings in milk. This helps to tenderise the squid and can be done with regular milk or dairy-free milk. The milk will need to be washed off before coating the squid in flour, as letting the floured squid sit for too long can result in a gummy texture.
Another option is to make a brine with baking soda, kosher salt, and water. This brine will not only help to tenderise the squid but also add flavour. You can also use a combination of egg, flour, and water with a touch of salt to create a wet mixture for the squid to be dipped into before breading. This mixture can be thickened with xanthan gum or guar gum if you choose to skip the flour.
When preparing the squid for the air fryer, it is important to ensure that the rings are dry. This can be done by patting them with paper towels. Additionally, when placing the squid rings in the air fryer, make sure that they do not overlap to ensure even cooking.
The cooking time for squid rings in an air fryer can vary depending on the model, but it typically ranges from 6 to 13 minutes. It is important to keep an eye on the squid rings to ensure they do not overcook, and some recipes recommend shaking the basket midway through cooking to prevent this.
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Battering and breading the squid rings
Preparing the Squid Rings:
Before battering and breading, it's essential to prepare the squid rings properly. If you're using frozen squid, make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture ensures that the batter adheres better to the squid rings. If you're working with fresh squid, clean and prepare the squid by removing the head, tentacles, and entrails. Cut the squid into rings or desired sizes, and pat them dry.
Tenderizing the Squid Rings:
Tenderizing the squid rings is an optional but recommended step. Soaking the rings in milk, regular or dairy-free, helps to tenderize the squid and improve its texture. This step can be skipped if you're short on time or prefer a chewier texture.
Creating the Batter:
The batter is a crucial component in achieving a crispy coating on your squid rings. You can create a simple batter by combining all-purpose flour, egg, and water with a pinch of salt. For a gluten-free alternative, you can replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend in a 1:1 ratio. Alternatively, you can skip the flour altogether and use xanthan gum or guar gum to thicken the water and egg mixture, creating a loose pancake batter consistency.
Battering the Squid Rings:
Once your batter is ready, it's time to dip the squid rings. Place the rings into the wet batter and toss to coat evenly. Use a fork to lift the coated ring, allowing any excess batter to drip off. This ensures that you don't end up with clumps of batter on your squid rings.
Preparing the Breading:
While the batter provides the base coating, the breading adds a crunchy texture to your calamari. You can use a variety of dry ingredients for breading, such as cornmeal, gluten-free breadcrumbs, or a combination of your choice. Season the breading with salt and pepper to enhance the flavour.
Breading the Squid Rings:
After battering, it's time to coat the squid rings with the dry breading mixture. Place the battered ring into the breading and use a spoon to gently spoon the mixture over it, ensuring an even coating. You can also gently shake the bowl or use your fingers to sprinkle the breading onto the ring. Avoid using a bag for breading, as the rings tend to stick together and may not get coated evenly.
By following these steps, you'll be able to create delicious, crispy, and evenly coated squid rings that are ready for the air fryer!
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Cooking the squid rings
Squid rings can be cooked in an air fryer in a variety of ways, with a range of ingredients and flavour combinations. The key to achieving the perfect crispy texture is to ensure the squid rings are evenly coated and to keep a close eye on them while they cook.
Firstly, prepare the squid rings by cleaning and cutting them into the desired size. If using frozen squid, ensure they are completely thawed and dried before coating. Fresh squid is inexpensive and easy to work with, but frozen squid is also a good option and usually comes pre-prepared for cooking.
For a simple, classic recipe, coat the squid rings in a mixture of flour, egg, and water with a touch of salt. You can also add some xanthan or guar gum to thicken the mixture and create a batter. For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free flour or a combination of cornmeal and gluten-free flour. It is important not to let the squid sit in the flour for too long as it can become gummy.
Before placing the squid rings in the air fryer, ensure they are well-coated in oil to achieve a crispy texture. Avocado oil is a good option for high-temperature cooking due to its high smoke point. You can also use an oil spray to ensure an even coating. Place the squid rings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap, and cook in batches if necessary.
The cooking time and temperature will depend on your air fryer, but on average, the squid rings will take around 10-13 minutes to cook at temperatures between 380-400°F (200°C). Shake the basket or flip the rings halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on the squid rings, as they can burn easily. The squid rings are ready when they are golden brown and have a firm yet tender texture.
Serve the squid rings hot with your choice of dipping sauce, such as marinara sauce, and enjoy!
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Flipping the squid rings
Before flipping, it is essential to prepare the squid rings properly. Start by cleaning the squid if you are using a whole one, or you can buy pre-cleaned squid rings. Cut the rings to your desired size, with some recipes recommending 0.75-inch thickness for a tender bite. Pat the squid dry with paper towels, as this will help the batter stick better.
Next, set up your breading station. You can use a combination of all-purpose flour, egg, and water with a pinch of salt, or experiment with gluten-free flour or xanthan/guar gum. Dip the squid rings into the wet batter, ensuring they are well coated, before lifting them out and allowing the excess to drip off. Then, place the rings in the dry breading mixture and coat them evenly.
Now, you are ready to cook the squid rings in your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, with some recipes recommending 380-400°F, and place the breaded rings inside without overlapping them. Cooking times vary, but on average, the squid rings will need 3-4 minutes on each side.
When it is time to flip, open the air fryer basket carefully and use your hands to flip the rings gently. This method helps prevent removing the coating, which tongs might do. After flipping, spritz the rings with oil to ensure even cooking and browning.
Finally, continue air frying for an additional 1-3 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. Keep an eye on the squid rings, as they can go from golden brown to burnt quickly. Once they reach the perfect shade of golden brown, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool on a rack for a few minutes.
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Serving the squid rings
Once the squid rings are cooked, transfer them to a tray and cover them to keep them warm while you cook the remaining squid rings, if any. It is recommended to serve the air-fried calamari hot. You can also add toppings to the squid rings, such as sliced chilli and green onion, and sprinkle with the reserved spice mix. You can also serve the squid rings with lemon halves or wedges to add a tangy twist to the dish.
If you are preparing a large batch, you can cook all the calamari at once at 390°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time. If you are using frozen squid, make sure to thaw them completely and dry them well before coating and frying them.
You can also reheat leftover fried calamari in the air fryer. Place them in the air fryer at 400°F for 2 to 3 minutes or until crunchy.
The perfectly cooked squid rings should have a firm yet tender texture and should not be chewy.
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Frequently asked questions
First, tenderize the rings by soaking them in milk. Then, dip the rings in a wet mixture of egg, flour, and water, and dredge them in flour or breadcrumbs. Place the rings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap, and spray them with oil. Air fry at 380-400°F for 4 minutes, flip, then cook for another 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
To get crispy squid rings, spray the rings with avocado oil or non-stick cooking spray before cooking. You can also spritz them with oil during cooking if you notice any dry spots.
Depending on your air fryer and the number of squid rings, the cooking time will vary. As a general guideline, cook the squid rings for a total of 10-13 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
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