Crispy Air Fryer Calamari: Restaurant-Quality in Minutes!

Craving crispy, golden calamari but dreading the mess and oil of deep frying? Look no further! This air fryer calamari recipe delivers the same restaurant-quality crunch with a fraction of the fat and effort. Forget standing over a hot stove – the air fryer makes it incredibly easy to achieve perfectly cooked, tender calamari with a satisfying crispy coating. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this simple yet elegant appetizer!

## Why Air Fry Calamari?

Deep frying calamari can be tricky. It’s easy to overcook, resulting in rubbery, chewy calamari. Plus, it requires a significant amount of oil, making it a less-than-healthy option. The air fryer solves these problems:

* **Less Oil:** Air frying uses significantly less oil than deep frying, making it a healthier choice.
* **Even Cooking:** The air fryer circulates hot air around the calamari, ensuring even cooking and a crispy exterior.
* **No Mess:** Say goodbye to splattering oil and messy cleanup!
* **Faster Cooking:** Air frying is generally faster than deep frying.
* **Tender Calamari:** The quick cooking time helps to prevent overcooking, resulting in tender calamari.

## Ingredients You’ll Need:

* **1 pound calamari tubes and tentacles, cleaned and cut into rings (about 1/2 inch thick)**
* **1 cup all-purpose flour**
* **1/2 cup cornstarch**
* **1 teaspoon salt**
* **1/2 teaspoon black pepper**
* **1/2 teaspoon garlic powder**
* **1/2 teaspoon paprika**
* **1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)**
* **2 large eggs, beaten**
* **1/4 cup milk or buttermilk**
* **Cooking spray (olive oil or avocado oil preferred)**
* **Lemon wedges, for serving**
* **Your favorite dipping sauce (marinara, tartar sauce, aioli, sweet chili sauce)
**

## Equipment You’ll Need:

* **Air Fryer**
* **Three shallow bowls or plates**
* **Tongs**

## Step-by-Step Instructions:

### 1. Prepare the Calamari:

* **Clean the calamari:** If you bought whole calamari, you’ll need to clean it. Remove the head and tentacles. Locate and remove the quill (a clear, plastic-like structure inside the tube). Rinse the tube thoroughly inside and out. Remove any skin or membrane (optional). Pat the calamari dry with paper towels. Thorough drying is crucial for achieving a crispy coating.
* **Cut the calamari:** Slice the calamari tubes into rings, about 1/2 inch thick. Leave the tentacles whole.
* **Optional: Tenderize the calamari:** Some people like to tenderize the calamari by soaking it in milk for 30 minutes. This can help make it even more tender, but it’s not strictly necessary.

### 2. Set Up the Breading Station:

* **Bowl 1: Flour Mixture:** In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well with a whisk to ensure there are no clumps.
* **Bowl 2: Egg Wash:** In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs and milk or buttermilk.
* **Bowl 3: Empty Bowl:** This bowl will hold the breaded calamari.

### 3. Bread the Calamari:

* **Dredge in Flour:** Take a handful of calamari rings and tentacles and dredge them in the flour mixture, making sure they are fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.
* **Dip in Egg Wash:** Next, dip the floured calamari into the egg wash, ensuring it is fully submerged.
* **Coat in Flour Again:** Finally, dredge the calamari in the flour mixture again, ensuring it is completely coated. This double coating helps create a thicker, crispier crust. Place the breaded calamari in the empty bowl.
* **Repeat:** Repeat the breading process with the remaining calamari.

### 4. Air Fry the Calamari:

* **Preheat the air fryer:** Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. This ensures the calamari cooks evenly and crisps up properly.
* **Grease the air fryer basket:** Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray (olive oil or avocado oil preferred). This will prevent the calamari from sticking.
* **Arrange calamari in the basket:** Place the breaded calamari in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this will prevent the calamari from crisping up properly. You may need to cook the calamari in batches.
* **Spray with oil:** Lightly spray the calamari with cooking spray. This will help it to brown and crisp up.
* **Air fry:** Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. The calamari is done when it is golden brown and crispy.
* **Check for doneness:** The calamari should be opaque and slightly firm to the touch. Be careful not to overcook it, as it will become rubbery.

### 5. Serve and Enjoy!

* **Remove the calamari:** Remove the cooked calamari from the air fryer and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
* **Serve immediately:** Serve the calamari immediately with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce. Marinara sauce, tartar sauce, aioli, and sweet chili sauce are all excellent choices.

## Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Calamari:

* **Dry the calamari thoroughly:** As mentioned earlier, drying the calamari thoroughly before breading is crucial for achieving a crispy coating. Use paper towels to pat the calamari dry.
* **Don’t overcrowd the air fryer:** Overcrowding the air fryer basket will prevent the calamari from crisping up properly. Cook the calamari in batches if necessary.
* **Spray with oil:** Spraying the calamari with cooking spray before air frying helps it to brown and crisp up.
* **Don’t overcook the calamari:** Overcooking the calamari will result in rubbery, chewy calamari. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, and check for doneness.
* **Serve immediately:** Air fryer calamari is best served immediately while it is still hot and crispy.
* **Use fresh calamari:** While you can use frozen calamari, fresh calamari will generally yield better results. If using frozen calamari, be sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before breading.
* **Experiment with seasonings:** Feel free to experiment with different seasonings in the flour mixture. For example, you could add some Old Bay seasoning, Italian seasoning, or chili powder.
* **Add Panko breadcrumbs:** For extra crispiness, you can add 1/2 cup of Panko breadcrumbs to the flour mixture.
* **Make it gluten-free:** To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs (if using).

## Dipping Sauce Ideas:

* **Marinara Sauce:** A classic choice that pairs perfectly with calamari.
* **Tartar Sauce:** Creamy and tangy, tartar sauce is another popular option.
* **Aioli:** A garlic-flavored mayonnaise that adds a touch of sophistication.
* **Sweet Chili Sauce:** Adds a sweet and spicy kick.
* **Spicy Mayo:** Combine mayonnaise with sriracha or your favorite hot sauce.
* **Lemon-Garlic Aioli:** Combine mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
* **Wasabi Mayo:** Combine mayonnaise with wasabi paste for a Japanese-inspired twist.

## Variations:

* **Spicy Calamari:** Add more cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the flour mixture for a spicier kick.
* **Lemon Pepper Calamari:** Add lemon zest and lemon pepper seasoning to the flour mixture.
* **Garlic Parmesan Calamari:** Add grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder to the flour mixture.

## Storage Instructions:

* Air fryer calamari is best enjoyed fresh. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the calamari will lose some of its crispiness when stored. To reheat, air fry at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until heated through. However, it is best to only cook the amount you intend to eat.

## Nutritional Information (per serving):

*(Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used and portion sizes.)*

* Calories: Approximately 300-400
* Fat: 15-25g
* Saturated Fat: 3-5g
* Cholesterol: 150-200mg
* Sodium: 500-700mg
* Carbohydrates: 20-30g
* Fiber: 1-2g
* Sugar: 2-4g
* Protein: 20-30g

This air fryer calamari recipe is a game-changer! It’s quick, easy, and delivers restaurant-quality results without all the oil and mess. So, ditch the deep fryer and give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Enjoy this delicious and healthier way to enjoy calamari. This recipe is perfect for appetizers, snacks, or even a light meal. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and lemon wedges for a complete and satisfying dish.

Let me know in the comments below if you tried this recipe and how it turned out! What is your favorite dipping sauce to pair with calamari?