Crispy Fried Calamari

Name: Crispy fried calamari – using frozen calamari
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 750 g frozen calamari packet; 3 cups durum semolina, 500g; 2 1/2 tsp salt; 3 tsp baking powder; cracked pepper, to your liking

To get this crispy fried calamari ready firstly decide which type of calamari you’ll be using, fresh or frozen. Either way you will get a crispy coating and you’ll be completely addicted! Each time I’ve prepared this for the family it is completely polished off!

Image of the fresh squid cleaned and prepped

The best coating ingredient

I tried a number of different ingredients to find the one that would achieve a crispy fried calamari. Ingredients included coating the calamari with flour, bread crumbs and semolina but also using combinations of them. My favourite one was using a double coating of just semolina with my least favourite being a coating of breadcrumbs.

Image of a batch of fresh squid rings straining ready to be coated and the rest of it being in a bowl in icy cold water.

With my method i dip the calamari in semolina twice, with just water being the binding agent. A single coating of semolina will help crisp up the calamari as well but i preferred it with the double coating. You may try it both ways and decide what you and your family prefer!

As far as the flavourings added in the coating, i just used salt and black pepper. But there have been occasions where I’ve added other spices like sumac for the extra zestiness or dried oregano and paprika. This part is entirely up to your individual preferences.

Image of the calamari coated just before it is fried.

Frozen vs fresh squid

The differences between frozen and fresh squid as far the cooking process is concerned are:

-With the fresh squid you need account for the preparation it requires to remove all the unnecessary parts of it. Whereas frozen you just have to thaw it. Hence more effort and time are required when using the fresh squid unless your fishmonger does that for you.
-I found that the fresh calamari rings formed were a bit thinner than the frozen variety but that will vary depending on what you find at the store. So for me it meant that the fresh calamari rings needed just a bit less time to cook.

Image of the crispy fried calamari in a platter with some parsley spread.

Fresh squid preparation

Below is a video i recorded on my phone to show you the process of preparing the fresh squid. After you prepare the squid by removing all the unnecessary parts, like in the video, the squid needs to be well washed inside and out.

My cooking tips

Cooking this crispy fried calamari a number of times i have been following some important guidelines to ensure i get the best result possible:

-The cooking oil needs to be very hot before frying the calamari, or else the calamari will absorb too much oil and will turn out too soft.
-The frying pan should be not overcrowded so that the temperature remains as high as possible. Otherwise the calamari will absorb too much oil and won’t be as crispy.
-The calamari should not cook for longer than the recommended time as it will be too chewy. The frozen calamari as it seems to be thicker than the fresh calamari i use, usually requires that extra 30sec of cooking. So i tend to fry it for 2min rather than 1.5min.
-When the calamari is removed from the frying pan it is placed on a cooling rack (on top of a baking tray). That will allow the excess oil from the calamari to drip and not be absorbed.

mage of the crispy fried calamari in a platter with some parsley spread.

Accompany this crispy fried calamari with a fresh salad and some potatoes or even an easy spinach and rice tray bake!

Would love to hear from you if you make this recipe or if you have any questions. Please leave a comment below if you do!