Crispy tender Fried Calamari served with a Creamy Chipotle Sauce (Calamares Fritos) and fried to golden perfection. Easy, quick to make and delicious!
Just like our Camarones Empanizados (Battered Fried Shrimp) recipe is known for its tantalizing crispy exterior and tender meat inside, so is this amazing fried calamari recipe. This beloved seafood dish has always been a favorite across the globe.
In this recipe, we’ll show you how to prepare this classic appetizer and explore the secrets to achieving the most tender and perfect rings. Easy, quick and hyper-delicious, especially with our Creamy Chipotle sauce!
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Reasons to Love this Recipe
- Crispy and Tender Texture: Calamari is loved throughout because of its crispy fried rings and tender textures. The outer batter or coating becomes wonderfully crispy when fried, while the squid inside remains tender and succulent.
- Flavorful Seafood Taste: Calamari has a unique and mild seafood flavor, appealing to a wide range of palates.
- Versatility in Seasoning: Although I simply seasoned these rings with salt, pepper and oregano, these rings can be seasoned and flavored in various ways, making them highly versatile. This versatility allows you to tailor the dish to your personal taste preferences.
- Appetizing Presentation: Fried calamari rings are not only delicious but also visually appealing. Their golden-brown color and attractive ring shapes make them an appetizing dish. Serve with garnishes like lemon wedges and parsley, and enhance their presentation even further.
- Great Appetizer or Snack: Fried calamari rings make an excellent appetizer or snack for various occasions. Whether you’re enjoying them as an appetizer, as a party appetizer, or as a game-day snack, they are always a crowd-pleaser. Easily enjoyed with friends and family.
Dips for Fried Calamari
There’s no better complement to fried calamari than a freshly squeezed lemon or lime and a superb dipping sauce.
In addition to the classic marinara sauce, I have two personal favorites:
- Creamy Chipotle Sauce: To prepare this chipotle dipping sauce, simply blend mayonnaise, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, fresh garlic, a squeeze of lime or lemon, and a pinch of salt in a blender for just 5 seconds. It’s ready to serve!
- Creamy Garlic Aioli: Making creamy garlic aioli is just as straightforward, and it’s not limited to pairing with calamari rings alone. Combine mayonnaise, minced fresh garlic, a dash of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and a touch of pepper in a bowl, and you’re done!
Ingredients
- Squid – both fresh and frozen squid is good for this recipe.
- Flour, Cornstarch and Baking Powder – combine all three in a bowl to coat squid evenly. You can just use flour or cornstarch to coat.
- Fresh Lemon or Lime – adds zest and freshness to your dish.
- Oil – Use vegetable, corn or peanut all for the best results.
*See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements and instructions.*
NOTE: If you would like to learn how to clean squid or calamari the right way, take a look at this article by The Spruce.
Substitutions and Variations
I Don’t Like the Tentacles
- If you buy frozen calamari that has tentacles, simply exclude them. If you buy fresh squid, ask your fishmonger to cut and exclude the tentacles.
Can I Use Panko Coating Instead?
- Flour, cornstarch and panko are all suitable coatings for calamari rings. Use what you have available.
Instructions
Step 1: After rinsing the calamari rings under cool water, add them to a bowl. Add milk plus a teaspoon of salt and stir. Allow the rings to soak for 20 minutes to an hour in the refrigerator. Note: This will help to tenderize the rings.
Step 2: Drain the rings through a colander and set aside for a few minutes while you get the flour mixture together.
Step 3: Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, pepper, oregano and paprika to a bowl. Mix using a fork or whisk.
Step 4: Add 2 inches of oil to a skillet or saucepan and heat over medium high heat. Note: Preheat your oven to 150° degrees to keep your rings warm while you are frying batches.
Step 5: While the oil is heating, add a few rings to the flour mixture and coat. Using a colander, shake the excess flour off the rings. When the oil is hot, add a few calamari rings to the oil to fry. Fry for 2 minutes on one side then flip them over. Cook for another 2 minutes. Drain rings on a plate lined with paper towels. Season the rings with salt and then place them on a baking tray and keep warm in the oven. Proceed with frying the next batch.
TIP: The oil is hot enough when you sprinkle a little bit of flour into the oil and it sizzles.
Expert Cooking Tips
When calamari is not cooked correctly or overcooked, it tends to become tough and rubbery. Follow the tips below for the best tender rings!
- Soaking: Although optional, for the most tender rings, it is best to soak the rings in milk, buttermilk, lemon juice or a little bit of water with a teaspoon of of baking soda.
- Coating: Coat the calamari rings that you are about to fry at the last second. Coat them in batches as you are frying.
- Make Sure the Oil is Hot: Do not add the rings until the oil is heated through.
- Use the Right Amount of Oil: Use at least 2 inches of oil when frying your rings.
Recipe FAQs
Eat the leftover rings within 2 days.
For the best crispy results, refry again for thirty, forty seconds. You can also heat through in a skillet over medium high heat for a few minutes until heated through.
Lastly, you can heat in the microwave for a minute but note that the calamari rings will not be crispy but instead a bit soggy.
Absolutely! Serve with a side of fries and tossed salad for a quick fun meal.
Other Seafood Dishes You Will Love
📖 Recipe
Fried Calamari with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh or frozen squid rinsed under cool water
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 1½ cup flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dry oregano
- ¾ salt or to taste
- ½ pepper
- corn, vegetable or peanut oil for frying
Creamy Chipotle Sauce
- 1 chipotle peppers chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves of garlic coarsely chopped or 2 teaspoon of garlic puree
- ½ lemon or lime juiced
- pinch of salt
Cilantro Vinaigrette (Optional)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
Garlic Aioli Sauce (Optional)
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 -3 fresh garlic cloves minced
- 2-2½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley optional
Instructions
For Fresh Squid
- Rinse squid under cold running water. Separate the body from the tentacles with a knife.
- Cut body (mantle) of squid into ½ inch rings and cut tentacles into two to three pieces.
- Add milk with a teaspoon of salt to a bowl followed by the rings and tentacles. Let soak for 20 minutes or an hour.
- Drain the rings through a colander and set aside for a few minutes while you get the flour mixture together.
For Frozen Squid
- Thaw the frozen squid overnight in the refrigerator or in a bowl of cold water if making immediately.
- Once defrosted, rinse the squid under cool water. Add milk with a teaspoon of salt to a bowl followed by the rings. Let soak for 20 minutes or an hour.
- Drain the rings through a colander and set aside for a few minutes while you get the flour mixture together.
Cooking the Calamari
- In a fryer or heavy pot, add about two inches of oil and heat to 375 F (190 Celsius). Note: Preheat your oven to 150° degrees to keep your rings warm while you are frying batches.
- Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, pepper, oregano and paprika to a bowl. Mix using a fork or whisk.
- Add a few rings to the flour mixture and coat. Using a colander, shake the excess flour off the rings.
- When the oil is hot, add a few calamari rings to the oil to fry. Fry for 2 minutes on one side then flip them over. Cook for another 2 minutes. Drain rings on a plate lined with paper towels. Season the rings with salt and then place them on a baking tray and keep warm in the oven. Proceed with frying the next batch.
- Serve with Creamy Chipotle sauce and serve immediately. Sprinkle Cilantro Vinaigrette (optional) over top of calamari.
Creamy Chipotle Sauce and
- Add the chipotle peppers, mayonnaise, lemon, garlic and pinch of salt to a food chopper and blend unto well combined. Add salt to taste. Set aside.
Cilantro Vinaigrette
- Add the cilantro and olive oil to a blender and blend for a few seconds. Set aside.
Garlic Aioli Sauce (Bonus Dipping Sauce)
- Mix all the ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to use.
Nutrition
Pat says
Do you rinse the buttermilk off the calamari before adding to flour mixture?
Cathy says
Hey Pat! There is no need to rinse the buttermilk off. Simply drain excess and flour. I hope that helps. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with! Happy Holidays!! 🙂
Jessica Ruiz says
Just made these! Delicous! Made the chipotle dipping sauce to go with. Everything came out perfectly! Will definitely make again!
Cathy says
Hello Jessica! That is wonderful to hear! So happy you really enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how much you enjoyed it!
Molly says
Hi, I just wanted to say that the creamy chipotle sauce is fabulous! It’s great for many things beyond calamari – it’s good on burgers, bowls, sandwiches, …. I’ve actually been making it fairly frequently just to have in the fridge. I’ve made it with half plain Greek yogurt and half mayonnaise a couple of times and really like that variation.
Cathy says
Thanks awesome to hear! So happy you are really loving it and finding other foods to use it in! I have used it in burgers before but never sandwiches, will have to give that a try for sure! Thanks for the idea! I also have used plain yogurt but haven’t tried the half yogurt and half mayo so will definitely give that a go, esp since you say you really like that variation! Great input! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Patricia says
I don’t like this new calamari Sauce, the old sauce was excellent, why mess with perfection.
Cathy says
Hey Patricia! I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean about old sauce, I have not changed the sauce in this recipe, so I am not sure what you mean or how I can help…however, with all the sauces out there to choose from for fried calamari, I understand we all have our preferences. If there is any help I can offer, please feel free to ask though. 🙂
Sonia says
This looks and sounds so delicious! Both my boys love calamari and I am always looking for something different to try with it. Definitely trying this ! Thank you!
Cathy says
Thank you Sonia! I hope you and your boys love it, let me know how you and your boys like it! 🙂
Amy | The Cook Report says
Oh wow LOVING the sound of that sauce!
Cathy says
Thank you Amy!
Lizzie says
I love calamari! Your tips are so comprehensive! I love the idea of soaking the squid overnight
Cathy says
I love calamari too! Yes it makes the calamari perfectly tender! Thanks for commenting Lizzie.
Neli Howard says
Now, this recipe will be one of my favorites. I think even my very picky oldest son might even like this dish! I can hope at least
Cathy says
🙂 I hope he does too! Let me know! Thanks Neli!
Liz says
Omg yesss! My husband loves calamari and this creamy chipotle sauce is perfect! Thanks for sharing this!
Cathy says
Thank you Liz!