Description
Crispy fried calamari captures all the glorious textures and flavors of squid, offering a delightful chewiness paired with a crunchy exterior, perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
- 1-2 lbs fresh or frozen squid
- 2 cups heavy cream (or milk)
- 1 teaspoon salt (for tenderizing)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Slice squid into even rings and set aside.
- In a bowl, combine squid, salt, and heavy cream. Let sit for at least 20 minutes to tenderize.
- Pour vegetable oil into a skillet and preheat to 350°F.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt to create the dry batter.
- Coat wet squid pieces in the dry batter, shaking off excess flour.
- Fry the squid in batches for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
For extra crunch, consider double-dipping the squid in the batter before frying. Serve with lemon wedges and dipping sauces like marinara.