Air-Fried Calamari: A Quick, Crispy, And Delicious Treat

Air fryers are a great way to cook crispy, delicious, and healthier calamari without the mess and trouble of deep frying at home. This guide will show you how to make a tasty, tender, and crunchy batch of calamari in your air fryer.

Preparing the calamari

Cleaning and Slicing the Calamari

Begin by cleaning the calamari thoroughly. If you have purchased whole calamari, you will need to slice it into rings. Aim for a thickness of about 1/2 inch for the rings. You can also chop any larger tentacles into smaller pieces. Fresh calamari is recommended for the best flavour and texture, but frozen calamari can also be used. If using frozen calamari, ensure that it is completely thawed before proceeding.

Tenderising the Calamari

To ensure tender calamari, it is recommended to soak the rings in milk or buttermilk. The lactic acid in milk helps to tenderise the muscle fibres of the calamari. Regular milk or dairy-free milk can be used for this step. Allow the calamari to soak for at least one hour, or longer if possible. Alternatively, you can marinate the calamari in an acidic marinade, such as buttermilk or a mixture of plain yogurt and milk, for at least 30 minutes to help tenderise and add flavour.

Preparing the Breading Station

Get three separate bowls for your breading station. In the first bowl, add your flour, along with any desired spices and seasonings such as salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, or garlic powder. Mix the dry ingredients well to combine. The second bowl should contain your egg mixture. Whisk together an egg and milk or buttermilk until well combined. For the third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs. If desired, you can also add some seasoning to the breadcrumbs for extra flavour.

Breading the Calamari

Take each calamari ring and dip it first into the flour mixture, coating it evenly. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring it is well coated. Finally, dip the calamari into the panko mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere to the ring. Repeat this process for each ring, placing the breaded calamari on a plate until they are all coated. It is important to work in batches to ensure the rings do not touch each other, as this will help them get crispy during cooking.

Final Steps

Before placing the breaded calamari into the air fryer, spray the inside of the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil. Place the coated rings inside the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. Spray the tops of the rings with cooking spray or oil to help them crisp up during cooking. Now your calamari is ready to be cooked!

Tenderising the calamari

One way to tenderise the calamari is to marinate it in buttermilk before cooking. The acidity in buttermilk is a classic tenderiser, and will help to ensure that the calamari doesn't become rubbery. You can also use a mixture of plain yoghurt and milk if you don't have buttermilk. Leave the calamari to marinate in the buttermilk for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight if you have the time.

Another tip for tenderising the calamari is to soak the rings in milk. This will help to tenderise the rings as the lactic acid in the milk tenderises the muscle fibres of the calamari. You can also use a dairy-free milk. Leave the calamari to soak for at least one hour, or longer if you have time.

Finally, make sure that you pre-heat your air fryer before cooking. This will ensure that the calamari cooks quickly and doesn't have time to become tough.

Making the breading

Step 1: Prepare the Breading Station

Get three separate bowls for your breading station. In the first bowl, add your flour, salt, and black pepper, and mix well. You can use all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour, depending on your preference. This bowl will be for the initial coating of your calamari.

Step 2: Prepare the Wet Mixture

In the second bowl, you'll create a wet mixture to help the breadcrumbs stick to the calamari. You can use a combination of egg and milk or buttermilk. If you're using egg, make sure it's at room temperature and beaten well. Whisk the wet ingredients together until they are fully combined. This step will ensure your breadcrumbs adhere to the calamari and create a crispy texture.

Step 3: Prepare the Breadcrumbs

The final bowl is for your breadcrumbs. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy texture. Add your chosen breadcrumbs to the bowl, and season them well with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings to this mixture, such as cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or garlic powder, to give your calamari a flavour boost.

Step 4: Coat the Calamari

Now it's time to coat your calamari rings. First, dip them into the flour mixture, making sure they are evenly coated. Then, dip them into the wet mixture, ensuring the flour is fully moistened. Finally, press the calamari into the breadcrumb mixture, coating them well. Set the coated rings aside on a plate until you're ready to place them into the air fryer.

Tips for the Perfect Breading:

• Make sure to pat your calamari rings dry before coating them. This will help create a crispy texture and ensure the breading sticks properly.
• Don't let the calamari sit too long after coating. It's best to coat them right before placing them into the air fryer to avoid any gumminess.
• Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. This will ensure even cooking and help maintain the crispy texture.

Cooking the calamari

The first step in cooking your calamari is to prepare the breading. You will need three bowls for this. In the first bowl, place your flour, salt, and black pepper, and mix well. In the second bowl, whisk an egg and milk together. You can use buttermilk or a combination of milk and plain yogurt here if you prefer. In the third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs.

Now you are ready to start breading the calamari rings. First, dip the rings into the flour, then into the egg mixture, and finally into the panko mixture. Make sure to coat the rings well at each step. As you finish breading each ring, place them into the air fryer basket.

Before placing the coated rings into the air fryer, spray the inside of the basket with cooking spray or oil. Place the coated rings inside in a single layer and spray the tops with cooking spray or oil.

Set your air fryer to 380-400°F and cook the calamari for 4-6 minutes. Open the basket and flip the calamari, then cook for an additional 2-5 minutes. The calamari is ready when it is golden brown and crispy.

It is important to note that every air fryer is different, so you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time slightly. Keep an eye on your calamari to ensure it doesn't burn, and be sure not to overcook it, as this can make it tough and rubbery.

Serve your air fryer calamari immediately with your choice of dipping sauce, such as marinara, cocktail sauce, aioli, or a creamy mustard sauce. Enjoy!

Serving the calamari

Air fryer calamari is best served immediately, as it will lose its crispiness over time. If you need to keep it warm while you cook another batch, you can store it in the oven at a low temperature. To re-crisp, place it back in the air fryer for one minute.

Calamari is often served with a dipping sauce. You could try marinara sauce, cocktail sauce, aioli, or a mustard sauce. It also pairs well with lemon, so you may want to serve it with some lemon wedges or a squeeze of lemon juice.

If you want to make a meal out of this dish, you could serve it with a vegetable side, such as zucchini or green beans.

Frequently asked questions