Air Fryer Calamari
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Air Fryer Calamari may seem fancy and complicated, but it couldn’t be easier to make! Enjoy a batch of crispy, crunchy, poppable bites that are super tender on the inside in under 20 minutes. All you need to buy is the squid — the rest of the ingredients should already be in your pantry!
Air Fryer Calamari
I know, the idea of squid may be a bit strange for some of you, but I promise you’ll love it… think onion rings but thicker, more tender, and with a whole lot more flavor!
And with this calamari recipe for the air fryer, it couldn’t be easier to make.
Just slice the tubes into rings, coat them with flour, eggs, and seasoned breadcrumbs, then pop them in the air fryer and let it do the rest!
It’s a welcome break from more common seafood appetizers like coconut shrimp or crab cakes (even though I love those too, of course).
And it’s a great way to impress your guests without breaking the bank!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Calamari Tubes – Look for ones that are white, shiny, and firm with a pleasant salty/ocean smell. If they have a pink or purple hue or smell overly fishy, skip them!
Frozen squid should be thawed and pat dry before breading — either in the refrigerator overnight or in a cold water soak.
You can also use pre-cut calamari rings to save prep time. Be sure to pat dry as needed before dredging. - Flour – Regular AP flour is perfect for air fryer calamari, but almond flour or a GF blend are good alternatives for a gluten-free recipe.
- Eggs – Whisk these really well so the yolks and whites are thoroughly combined.
This is usually easier to accomplish if they are closer to room temp instead of fresh from the refrigerator. - Breadcrumbs – I like to combine crispy panko breadcrumbs with Italian breadcrumbs for flavor and texture!
The smaller, seasoned crumbs also fill in any gaps so the surface is fully coated. - Seasonings – Salt and pepper, plus smoked paprika and Italian seasoning, add enough flavor to keep things interesting without competing with any dipping sauces you may enjoy.
Feel free to try out other dried herbs and spices, including Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, or something as simple as garlic powder and onion powder.
Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Calamari in Air Fryer
- Coat the rings thoroughly for the crispiest results.
Ensure that they are fully coated in flour before dipping into the eggs. Then, let the excess drip off before adding them to the breadcrumb mixture.
Press the breadcrumbs onto the surface if needed to help them stick.
You’ll avoid a mess by using one hand for dipping in the wet mixture and the other for dipping in the dry. Or, use a fork to transfer each ring from bowl to bowl!
And before placing calamari in air fryer, spritz them with cooking spray! This helps them crisp and prevents them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
- Preheat the air fryer.
You want those breaded rings to start cooking the second they hit the basket! Preheating also ensures that your air fryer calamari is cooked evenly without needing to flip them halfway.
- Air fry in batches.
While this calamari recipe for the air fryer only makes enough for 2-3 servings, it’s still more than can fit in most air fryer baskets.
Only add as many rings as will fit in a single layer with space between each.
If you happen to have a much larger ring and a much smaller ring, you can place the smaller one inside the larger one to save some space!
Prep Ahead
- Cut squid tubes
- Set up dredging stations
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Air Fryer – Different brands and sizes may require different cooking times, so be familiar with your model and make adjustments as needed.
- Shallow Bowls for dredging
- Tongs – I love this set of 3, and I use every pair of them. They are so handy and grip amazingly well!
Serving Suggestions
Pair air fryer calamari with your favorite dip or keep it simple with a squeeze of lemon!
Choose something intensely savory or plenty tangy — marinara, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or aioli (basically garlic mayo) are my top picks!
You could even try chipotle lime mayo or a sweet chili sauce for something more unique. Experiment with different flavors until you find your favorite combo.
As far as sides go, serve this calamari air fryer recipe with a variety of salads for a light meal. Choose from pea salad, summer corn salad, broccoli pasta salad, and more.
Or, use it as a starter for heartier pasta dishes like baked ziti or chicken parmigiana!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
While best enjoyed fresh, you can keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Store in an airtight container.
To reheat, return calamari to air fryer and cook for a few minutes until warmed and crispy again.
I don’t recommend freezing calamari after it’s been cooked, but you can certainly freeze it beforehand! This way, you have an easy frozen appetizer or quick meal option.
After breading, spritz calamari rings with oil or cooking spray. This prevents ice crystals from forming and makes it so you don’t have to spray them before cooking.
Place the rings on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Flash freeze until firm, about an hour or two, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag.
Cook from frozen and use within 3-6 months.
Calamari Air Fryer FAQ
Air fried calamari should be crispy on the outside and firm yet tender on the inside. It should not be chewy at all — that’s a sign that it’s either undercooked or overcooked.
It’s up to you! I find that a good shake halfway through cooking is more than enough, but it wouldn’t hurt to flip them either.
Do so carefully so you don’t pull off any of the breading. Tongs or a fork are the best tools for the job.
Air fry frozen calamari for about 8 minutes at 400°F, shaking the basket or flipping them halfway through.
If the rings are very large, you may need to add an extra minute or two to the cooking time. Or, reduce the temperature and cook longer so the breading doesn’t get too dark.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Air Fryer Calamari
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- non-stick cooking spray
- 10 ounces calamari tubes, 3 x large
Instructions
- Start by slicing the squid tubes into rings approximately 1 inch in diameter. Ensure they are evenly sliced for consistent cooking.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes.
- In three separate shallow bowls, set up your breading station. Place the all-purpose flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and panko breadcrumbs mixed with sea salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika in the third.
- Dip each calamari ring into the flour, then the beaten eggs, and finally coat them evenly with the seasoned breadcrumbs mixture. Ensure each ring is thoroughly coated.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the coated calamari rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Lightly spray the calamari rings with cooking spray.
- Cook the calamari rings in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. You may need to shake the basket halfway through cooking for even crisping.
- Once cooked, remove the calamari rings from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dip or a squeeze of lemon.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published September 2024
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