Make crispy fried calamari with this calamares recipe! We guarantee this calamares recipe will produce tender calamari and a batter that’s light and crispy. It’s an excellent appetizer to have at parties or potlucks. What’s unique about this calamares recipe is that you can deep fry the whole squid instead of cutting them into rings, given that the squid is small enough.
Hold the squid firmly and pull out its head from its body, including all the internal parts and tentacles.
Pull out and discard the transparent cartilage in the tube as well.
Cutaway the head and ink sack from the tentacles with a knife. Peel away the spotted outer membrane and discard. Set aside the tentacles.
Cut the body into rings or keep it whole if it’s small enough.
Combine milk and the cleaned squid in a large bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 4 hours. Drain well and discard the milk.
Combine flour and cornflour in another large bowl. Mix well to combine.
Coat the squid evenly in the flour mixture.
Pour canola oil into a frying pan or wok and heat it to 176°C.
Gently place the coated squid in batches into the oil. Remember not to overcrowd.
Turn the squid as it cooks for 1 to 3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the squid with a slotted spoon and place it on a wire rack with a baking sheet or parchment paper underneath.
Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
How to Store and Serve Calamares
Calamares are best enjoyed when it’s freshly fried. However, if you absolutely want to keep some for the following day, you should store them in an airtight container and refrigerate them. We recommend consuming them as soon as possible, but you can keep them for up to 2 days. Preheat the oven to 190 °C and reheat the calamares on a baking dish for 6 to 7 minutes. They taste great with a dipping sauce such as tartar sauce, marinara sauce, and spicy vinegar. Calamares also goes very well with an ice-cold beer!
Missing some ingredients?
This weekend, why not spend it with friends enjoying some ice-cold beers and crispy calamares? Remember to get all your ingredients like squid, flour, and garlic powder. If you’re too busy for the supermarket, visit pandamart and order online. Our drivers can deliver your groceries to your doorstep in no time.
