Crispy Calamares Quick and Easy Recipe At Home

Calamares, or crispy fried squid, is a beloved Filipino appetizer and street food. People always love its crunchy exterior and tender interior. While many restaurants serve this dish, but nothing beats Amber Restaurant taste. They make it fresh, crispy, and perfectly seasoned, like at home.

This calamari recipe combines techniques from various popular recipes to achieve the best texture and flavor. It’s the easiest appetizer to prepare quickly and easily at home. If you want to enjoy it at a restaurant, it’s not very expensive but more delicious.

AMBER MENU

People fall in love with this appetizer When it is served with different dipping and sauces. If you taste it the first time, you must want it for the second time.

Price and serving options on Amber menu:

Serving Size	Price
2-3 persons	₱ 350.00

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The perfect combination of breading and frying techniques makes every bite crispy and crunchy.
The marinade helps keep the squid soft and chewy, never rubbery.
Simple recipe steps and ingredients make this recipe recipe easy.
Following simple steps, you can make the best dish at home.

Intresting Fact!

The craziest thing we learned about calamari is that calamari and squid are two different sea creatures. Calamari is a smaller cephalopod, whereas squid species are famously large.

Fried Calamares Recipe

Preparation time:15 minutes

Cooking time 10 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Squid:

1 lb fresh squid, cleaned and cut into rings
2 cups fresh milk (for marination)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

For the coating

1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

For Frying

2 cups cooking oil

For the Dipping Sauce

Garlic mayo: ½ cup mayonnaise, one minced garlic clove, one teaspoon calamansi juice
Spicy vinegar: ½ cup vinegar, one chopped chilli, one teaspoon sugar, a pinch of salt
Sweet chili sauce: store-bought or homemade version

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare and Marinate the Squid

Clean the squid by removing the skin, internal organs, and beak.
Rinse well and pat dry.
Cut into rings and soak them in fresh milk for at least 3 hours (overnight for best results). This helps tenderize the squid and remove any fishy smell.
After marination, drain the squid and pat dry using paper towels and season with salt and pepper.

Prepare the Breading

Mix all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley flakes, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
Toss the squid rings in the dry mixture until they are well coated.
Remove any excess flour to prevent clumping.

Fry to Perfection

Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
Test by dropping a small amount of flour; if it sizzles, it’s ready.
Fry the squid rings in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for about 2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Remove rings from oil on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Serve with Your Favorite Dip

Arrange the crispy Calamares on a serving platter.
Serve with any of your choice of dipping sauce.
Enjoy while hot and crispy!

Crispy Fried Fish Fillets with Tartar Sauce

Pro Tips for the Best Calamares

Soak calamari in Milk or Buttermilk for 30 minutes. It tenderises the calamari and removes any fishy smell. Buttermilk works even better due to its mild acidity.
Combination of all-purpose flour with cornstarch or rice flour for extra crispiness.
Pat Dry Before Coating by Removing excess moisture so the flour sticks better and fries crispy.
Season the Flour by Adding salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, or cayenne for a flavorful crust.
To prevent soggy calamari, keep. the Oil Hot (375°F / 190°C) to prevent soggy calamari. For accuracy, Use a thermometer.
Fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
Fry for only 1-2 minutes because overcooking makes calamari rubbery; remove it as soon as it is golden.
Drain on a Wire Rack to keep the coating crisp instead of getting soggy on paper towels.
The fresher the squid, the better the texture and taste.
Don’t skip the milk marinade; it makes a massive difference in tenderness.
Double-coat for extra crunch. Dip the squid in an egg wash and coat it again in the breading for an ultra-crispy texture.
Keep the oil at the right temperature.
Serve immediately because Calamares is best enjoyed fresh out of the fryer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A: Yes

A: Number one: Marinate in milk, and don’t overcook it. Squid cooks quickly within 2 minutes, which is enough!

A: Yes! Spray with oil and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes

A: Soaking squid in milk helps to tenderise it, making it softer and less chewy after frying.

A: You can, but a mix of flour and cornstarch creates a crispier texture. Cornstarch makes the coating lighter and crunchier.

A: Use canola, safflower, or avocado oil to prevent burning and ensure even frying.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Calories: 280 kcal
Protein: 18g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fat: 14g
Fiber: 1g
Sodium: 540mg

Disclaimer

All nutritional values I describe may vary because of different ways of cooking. Also, ingredients used by anyone can change their values. So it’s just esteemed values not considered confirmed.

Conclusion

Now, you have the detailed crispy calamari recipe. By following this, you can easily prepare it at home. With the perfect marination, coating, and frying techniques, your homemade calamari will be the best restaurant version. Serve it as an appetizer, pulutan, or snack, and impress your family and friends with this Filipino favorite. Watch the nutrition profile, and consume it according to your diet.