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Home » Recipes » Seafood

Italian Fried Calamari

Published: Mar 12, 2021 · Modified: Oct 11, 2022 by Maxine Dubois · This post may contain affiliate links 1 Comment

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This Italian Fried Calamari is made with buttermilk, flour, paprika, chili powder and fried to perfection. These Fried Calamari are paired with a Lemon Aioli made with just two ingredients, lemon and mayonnaise. So simple, don’t you think?

This Italian Fried Calamari is made with buttermilk, flour, paprika, chili powder and fried to perfection.

This fried calamari is soaked in buttermilk for 30 minutes and then dredged in the flour spice mix and fried till golden brown. It is such a great appetizer option that is even better than what you would get at a restaurant. Let me tell you though, maintaining the temperature at 375°F is absolutely essential and is what will give the calamari the best taste. You will NEED a candy thermometer for this.

You can buy the squid fresh at the seafood market or buy them frozen. Grocery stores usually sell frozen calamari rings, which work perfectly. This recipe works best with both the bodies and the tentacles, but if you can only find rings, that will work just fine.

How to make Italian Fried Calamari

Add vegetable oil in a large heavy pot on medium heat until the candy thermometer registers 375°F. It is highly recommended to use a candy thermometer.

Place the squid in the buttermilk and let it sit in the refrigerator for up to 30 minutes.

For the lemon aioli, combine the mayonnaise and lemon juice. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the flour and spices.

Working in batches, toss the squid in the flour until fully coated.

Once all the squid is coated in flour, shake off excess flour and fry a handful of squid at a time.

Fry until golden, about 2-4 minutes.

With a slotted spoon, remove the calamari from the fryer and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Season with salt.

Serve with lemon aioli.

Other dishes like this

  • Crab Cakes with Chipotle Aioli
  • Shrimp Étouffée
  • Chicken and Shellfish Paella
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This Italian Fried Calamari is made with buttermilk, flour, paprika, chili powder and fried to perfection.
This Italian Fried Calamari is made with buttermilk, flour, paprika, chili powder and fried to perfection.
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Italian Fried Calamari


  • Author: Maxine Dubois
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
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Description

This Italian Fried Calamari with Lemon Aioli is made with buttermilk, flour, paprika, chili powder and fried to perfection.


Ingredients

Scale

Calamari:

  • 1 pound calamari ring, or squid cut up into rings
  • Light vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Lemon Aioli:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

  1. Add vegetable oil in a large heavy pot on medium heat until the candy thermometer registers 375°F. It is highly recommended to use a candy thermometer.
  2. Place the squid in the buttermilk and let it sit in the refrigerator for up to 30 minutes.
  3. For the lemon aioli, combine the mayonnaise and lemon juice. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the flour and spices.
  5. Working in batches, toss the squid in the flour until fully coated.
  6. Once all the squid is coated in flour, shake off excess flour and fry a handful of squid at a time.
  7. Fry until golden, about 2-4 minutes.
  8. With a slotted spoon, remove the calamari from the fryer and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Season with salt.
  9. Serve with lemon aioli.

Notes

  • Be sure to use a frying thermometer to keep the oil at 375°F. If it’s too hot it burns. If its too cold, the squid absorbs excess oil and becomes greasy.
  • Serve immediately.
  • Fried calamari will taste great with marinara sauce as well.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 453.0
  • Sugar: 0.0 g
  • Sodium: 546.0 mg
  • Fat: 24.8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24.8 g
  • Fiber: 0.7 g
  • Protein: 30.9 g
  • Cholesterol: 423.0 mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cilantro.parsley on Instagram and hashtag it #cilantroparsley

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Hi, I'm Maxine!

I am a Mexican American recipe creator & food blogger dedicated to cultivating the cooking experience. I love Latin recipes and inspiring you to cook them by incorporating videos to simplify and share my recipes.  My favorite cuisines are Mexican and Italian, which is why I came up with the name Cilantro Parsley!

You can also find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook & Youtube

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