Crispy Calamari Air Fryer Recipe (Easy and Light)
May 19, 2022, Updated Sep 29, 2024
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This crispy air fryer calamari is easy and light- These crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside “fried” calamari are simple to make in the oven or the air fryer! This is a healthier version of an Italian family favorite.
For this recipe, I am lightening up the traditional deep-fried version without sacrificing flavor-by air frying the calamari (there is an oven version as well). It is a simple recipe that makes for a show-stopping presentation. This is one of the best ways to enjoy calamari!
If you crave deep-fried, try Fried Butterfly Shrimp Recipe (Easy and Crunchy).
More Italian seafood recipes: Classic Lobster Bisque Recipe (Easy), Crab Cakes Recipe (no egg), Italian Seafood Salad (Insalata di Mare Antipasto), Spaghetti Frutti di Mare (Seafood Pasta), and BEST Lobster Ravioli Sauce with Lemon Brown Butter.
In Sardinia, Italy, where I am from, we love fresh calamari! You can get a plethora of fresh seafood on the island, and almost every meal at a restaurant with our family includes fried calamari. Read this story about our love for calamari: Sunday Story: Calamari Fritti.
Fried calamari is among many people’s favorite appetizers on many Italian restaurant menus. With this recipe, you can make crispy calamari right at home.
In Italy, they are usually garnished with lemon wedges and parsley. I love them with Salsa Fresca (fresh tomato sauce) on top or if you like an extra spice you can also try it with our Chili Salsa.
In America, they are served with cocktail, marinara, or aioli dipping sauce. I love them the traditional Italian way with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice!
If you love calamari, try Stuffed Calamari Recipe.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
The ingredients are simple and wholesome. The star of this dish is the calamari! You will note there isn’t an egg mixture or even all-purpose flour (or flour mixture) in this recipe. It is light and focuses on the fresh calamari.
- Calamari (fresh or frozen)
- Plain breadcrumbs
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Optional: dipping sauce of choice for serving
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Air Fryer Calamari
Follow these easy instructions to get the perfect “fried” calamari quickly.
Note: Calamari cooks quickly and can turn tough, chewy, and even rubbery if overcooked. To cook calamari to perfection, you can either cook it quickly over high heat or slow over low heat.
Prepare the Calamari
To help tenderize, pound calamari rings a few times gently on each side using a kitchen mallet or a heavy skillet (be careful not to tear the flesh).
1- Cut the calamari into ½-inch thick rings. Pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess water. Please ensure they are dry, or you risk they will be more soggy than crispy.
2- In a shallow bowl, add the breadcrumbs and season with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, add the olive oil. Quickly dip the calamari rings in the oil and shake off excess.
3- Toss and coat the calamari rings into the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to coat. Lay the prepared calamari on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper as you finish preparing the batch.
Cook the Calamari in an Air Fryer
4- Preheat the air fryer to 400° degrees F. Lightly grease the basket of the air fyer with oil. You can also use greased tinfoil. Place the calamari rings in a basket in a single layer.
Arrange the calamari in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the basket, or they won’t crisp properly. Cook in multiple batches if needed.
Cook the calamari for 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking. They should be golden brown and crispy when finished.
See below for oven instructions.
FAQ
What Is The Best Calamari For This Recipe? You can buy it at your local fish market or in the frozen section of many supermarkets.
You can use fresh or frozen calamari tubes and tentacles for this recipe.
It’s easy to prepare; unless you’re buying it fresh, most squid comes frozen and prepped for cooking. You can also ask your fishmonger to clean it and cut it.
Look for calamari that has firm, shiny white bodies, with a pleasantly salty aroma, like the ocean. (Pass up any that have a pink or purplish hue.)
The smaller the squid, the more tender the texture. The squid I used is pretty small and I had the fishmonger cut it into rings for me. I bought mine at Whole Foods Market. I also like to support smaller local fish shops when I can.
For this recipe, you need an air fryer. This link provides a high-quality air fryer for a reasonable price. The highly-efficient air frying tool that brings healthier fried flavors to your table!
*affiliate links
Oven cooking instructions:
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with tinfoil and spray generously with cooking spray.
Place prepared calamari (not touching or close together) on the baking sheet and cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning over halfway through cooking.
For the last minute of cooking, turn the oven on broil to get a nice crisp on the calamari.
The calamari will be slightly less crispy when cooked this way compared to the air fryer. They are still delicious!
Calamari turns tough only when it is overcooked. The trick to coaxing it to a soft, tender texture is to cook it quickly over high heat or slowly over low, whether sautéing, roasting, stir-frying, grilling, or even deep-frying. See the recipe for a technique to air frying calamari.
Defrost frozen calamari overnight in the refrigerator by placing them in a clean bowl and cover with plastic wrap. If you are in a hurry- thaw calamari in the original packaging or place in an airtight plastic bag then thaw in a large bowl or cool water for about 30 minutes per pound of calamari.
Yes, calamari is a healthy seafood option. In just a 3-ounce serving, calamari provides 13 grams of protein. It is chock full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin b12 known for helping with anemia.
Top Tips
- Make sure to pat the calamari dry, so the excess water doesn’t steam the calamari instead of making them crispy.
- Do not overcrowd the calamari when cooking, or they won’t cook evenly or have a nice crust.
You’ll love this recipe if you want a healthier way to make fried calamari! This air fryer calamari is so crispy and made with a small amount of oil.
Deep frying is also a bit messy, and this method makes for easy clean-up after cooking.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy – add chili pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to kick it up a notch just before serving!
- Bread Crumbs – use panko breadcrumbs instead of the traditional breadcrumbs
- Flavor Boost – add old bay seasoning or garlic/ onion powder to the breadcrumbs before frying the calamari.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Let the calamari strips cool down at room temperature.
Transfer the leftover to an airtight container. Properly stored, the cooked calamari can last 3-4 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer.
To reheat frozen fried calamari in an Air Fryer: Cook in the preheated air fryer at 400°F for about 8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
To reheat in the oven: Preheat oven to 450°F. Place frozen calamari rings and tentacles on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
What To Serve With This Recipe
This air fryer calamari recipe makes a great appetizer or light meal. Side dishes that go well with this simple dish: Warm White Bean Salad with Arugula Mozzarella (Video), or Italian Fennel, Citrus, Pomegranate and Salad, and some warm Fast Italian No Knead Ciabatta Bread.
Serve alongside Classic Italian Lasagna Bolognese with Bechamel Sauce for a more filling meal. Don’t forget dessert! Classic Italian Tiramisu Recipe (Authentic)!
More recipes for you!
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- Orzo Pasta with Shrimp, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Artichokes
- Best Baked Salmon with Pesto Recipe (Easy)
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Print
Air Fryer Calamari Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
Crispy Calamari Air Fryer Recipe (easy and light)- These crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside “fried” calamari are simple to make in the oven or the air fryer! This is a healthier version of an Italian family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 pound calamari cleaned and skins removed
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup olive oil or avocado
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Optional: dipping sauce of choice for serving
Instructions
- To help tenderize, pound the calamari gently a few times on each side using a kitchen mallet or a heavy skillet (be careful not to tear the flesh).
- Cut the calamari into ½ inch thick rings. Pat dry with a paper towel. Make sure they are dry or you risk that they will be more soggy than crispy.
- In a large bowl add the breadcrumbs and season with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl add the olive oil. Quickly dip the calamari rings in the oil and shake off excess. Toss the calamari rings into the breadcrumb mixture; gently pressing to coat. Lay the prepared calamari on a baking sheet or cutting board lined with parchment paper as you finish preparing the batch.
- Preheat the air fryer oven to 400° degrees F. Lightly grease the basket of the air fryer with oil (or line it with tinfoil and spray). Place the calamari rings in a basket, in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the basket, or they won’t crisp properly. Cook in multiple batches if needed.
- Cook the calamari for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking.
- Transfer the calamari to a plate and immediately season with a sprinkle of salt. Repeat the steps above with the remaining calamari. Eat the calamari immediately with some lemon wedges and dipping sauce (if desired).
Notes
Cooking in the Oven
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Line large baking sheet with tinfoil and spray generously with cooking spray. Place prepared calamari (not touching or close together) on the baking sheet and cook for about 8-10 minutes turning over half way through cooking. For the last minute of cooking turn oven on broil to get a nice crisp on the calamari. The calamari will be slightly less crispy when cooked this way compared to the air fryer. They are still delicious!
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: Italian
Great simple recipe! Came out perfect.
Yay! Happy you loved them!
You will love how light and fresh these air fryer calamari taste. They are so easy to prepare!