Air-Fried Calamari: A Quick, Crispy, Tasty Treat

If you're craving fried calamari but want to avoid the mess and high-calorie count of traditional deep-frying, then air-frying is a great alternative. This method uses little oil, resulting in a crispy, tasty, and healthier version of this Italian favourite.

To make calamari in an air fryer, you'll need to first tenderise the calamari rings by soaking them in milk or a baking soda and salt brine. Next, you'll need to coat the rings in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Finally, cook the calamari in your preheated air fryer for around 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Preparing the calamari

Firstly, you will need to clean the calamari. Pull away the tentacles and keep them separate. Empty the inside of the mantle and extract the cartilage. Cut the part of the eyes from the tentacles and remove the beak from the centre. Continue until all the squid are cleaned. Rinse them and cut the squid into rings. If the tentacles are large, cut them in half.

Next, pat the calamari dry with paper towels. This step is important to ensure the calamari becomes crispy rather than soggy. You can also use kitchen paper for this step. Ensure the calamari is completely dry before proceeding to the next step.

Now, you will need to prepare your breading station. In one bowl, add flour. You can use all-purpose flour, or a gluten-free alternative. In another bowl, whisk an egg with milk. You can use dairy-free milk if you prefer. In a third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. You can also add other spices to this mixture, such as smoked paprika and garlic powder.

Take a calamari ring and shake off any excess milk. Next, coat the calamari in the flour mixture, tapping off any excess. Then, dip the calamari in the egg mixture, and finally, coat it in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat this process until all the calamari rings are coated.

Once all the calamari are coated, it's time to cook them. Preheat your air fryer to between 380-400°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil. Place the calamari rings in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap. You may need to cook the calamari in batches. Spray the tops of the calamari with oil.

Cook the calamari for 4-5 minutes, then flip them over and spray with oil again. Cook for another 4-5 minutes, until they are golden brown and crispy.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy calamari to enjoy.

Making the breading

In the second bowl, prepare an egg wash by beating an egg with a small amount of milk. This will help the flour coating adhere to the calamari.

In the third bowl, combine your breadcrumbs with any desired spices and a pinch of black pepper. You can use traditional breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs, which are lighter and airier, resulting in crispier calamari. For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour.

Now you are ready to bread your calamari! First, coat the calamari rings in the flour; shake off any excess. Then, dip them in the egg wash, letting any excess drip off. Finally, toss the rings into the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to ensure an even coating.

Place the breaded calamari on a plate or baking sheet until you have enough to fill a single layer in your air fryer. Repeat this process until all your calamari rings are coated.

Cooking the calamari

Now that you have your ingredients and your air fryer is preheated to the desired temperature, it's time to cook your calamari!

Firstly, you'll want to coat the calamari rings in your flour or cornmeal mixture. Make sure to tap off any excess flour so that it doesn't end up with a gummy texture. You can also dip the rings in an egg mixture before coating them in flour for an extra crispy texture.

Next, place the coated calamari rings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Spray the tops of the rings with cooking spray or oil.

Cook the calamari for 4-5 minutes, then flip the rings and spray them again with cooking spray or oil. Continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

It's important to keep an eye on your calamari while it's cooking, as you don't want it to burn or become rubbery. Open the air fryer and check on them periodically to ensure they are cooking evenly.

Once they are golden brown and crispy, your calamari is ready to be served! Enjoy as an appetizer or a light meal.

Storing and reheating the calamari

Storing and reheating calamari is a delicate process, as it is easy to overcook and ruin the tender texture of the squid. However, the high heat of an air fryer is a great way to reheat your leftover calamari, giving you a crispy bite every time.

Storing Calamari

If you have leftover cooked calamari, you can store it in the refrigerator or freezer for later use. To refrigerate, wrap the leftover calamari tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It will last up to three days in the fridge. To freeze, wrap the cooked calamari in airtight plastic wrap or seal it in an airtight freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to two months.

Reheating Calamari in an Air Fryer

Before reheating, let the calamari come to room temperature for about 3-5 minutes. Season the calamari with salt, black pepper, Old Bay Seasoning, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, or Cayenne pepper, then spray with non-stick cooking spray or brush with olive oil.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the calamari rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for about three minutes or until heated through. If you want your calamari to be extra crispy, spray lightly with cooking spray and air fry for another 3-4 minutes.

Tips for Reheating Calamari in an Air Fryer

• Make sure the calamari rings aren't overlapping or touching each other in the air fryer.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the type of air fryer you have, so keep an eye on your calamari to ensure it doesn't burn.
• Brush with olive oil or spray with cooking spray for extra crispy calamari.
• Serve with your favourite dipping sauce, such as marinara, cocktail sauce, or lemon wedges.

Other Ways to Reheat Calamari

While an air fryer is a great option, there are also other methods to reheat your leftover calamari, including in the oven, microwave, skillet, grill, deep fryer, steamer, or sous vide. However, these methods may not produce the same crispy texture as an air fryer.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer calamari is best served hot and fresh. It is a great appetizer or light meal.

In Italy, fried calamari is typically garnished with lemon wedges and parsley and served with salsa fresca (fresh tomato sauce) or chilli salsa. In the US, it is often served with cocktail, marinara, or aioli dipping sauce.

If you want to serve your calamari as part of a larger meal, side dishes that complement it well include warm white bean salad with arugula and mozzarella, Italian fennel, citrus, and pomegranate salad, and warm, freshly baked Italian no-knead ciabatta bread.

For a more filling meal, serve your calamari with classic Italian lasagna bolognese with bechamel sauce.

For dessert, you could finish off the meal with a classic Italian tiramisu.

Frequently asked questions