Calamari Fritti (Crispy Fried Squid with Lemon)
Local name: Calamari fritti
In short: Tender rings and tentacles of squid, dusted in flour and semolina and fried until crisp. Served hot with lemon, a seaside favorite. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 385 kcal
Calamari fritti is the dish of every Italian seaside trattoria: squid cut into rings, dusted with flour and fine semolina and fried in hot oil until crisp and golden. There is no batter, so the coating is thin and light, and the squid stays tender as long as it fries only briefly. Serve it straight from the pan with lemon wedges and a pinch of salt. Eat it right away, as it loses its crunch within minutes.
Instructions
- Slice the squid tubes into rings about 1 cm (3/8 inch) wide and cut large tentacle clusters in half. Pat everything very dry with paper towels.
- Mix the flour, semolina, salt and pepper in a wide bowl.
- Heat the oil in a deep heavy pot to 180°C (350°F). Line a tray with paper towels.
- Toss a handful of squid in the flour mixture, shake off the excess in a sieve, and lower the pieces into the oil. Do not coat more than you can fry at once.
- Fry for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until pale golden and crisp. Lift out with a slotted spoon onto the tray and sprinkle with salt right away.
- Reheat the oil between batches. Serve at once with lemon wedges and parsley.
Tips
- Do not overcook. Squid is tender when fried for under 2 minutes, or simmered for more than 30 minutes in a stew. In between, it turns rubbery.
- Frozen squid works well. Thaw it completely in the fridge and dry it very well before dusting, because water makes the oil splatter and the coating soggy.
Questions and answers
Why is my fried calamari chewy?
It was fried for too long or at too low a temperature. Squid needs very hot oil, 180°C (350°F), and just 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, then it should come out right away.
Can I make calamari in an air fryer?
Yes. Spray the dusted rings with oil and cook at 200°C (400°F) for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once. They will be less crisp than deep-fried calamari, but lighter.
What sauce goes with calamari fritti?
In Italy it comes with only lemon and salt. A garlicky mayonnaise or a spicy tomato sauce is also popular, though not traditional.
How long does it take to make Calamari Fritti (Crispy Fried Squid with Lemon)?
About 30 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Calamari Fritti (Crispy Fried Squid with Lemon)?
About 385 kcal per serving, with 30 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 385 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
