Ingredients
1 pound frozen calamari tubes thawed
1 teaspoon kosher salt for soaking plus additional for seasoning
ยฝ cup 2% milk
1 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
โ cup cornstarch
ยฝ teaspoon baking powder
ยพ teaspoon oregano
ยฝ teaspoon black pepper
ยฝ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Grapeseed oil enough for frying about 4 inches depth
1 lemon cut into wedges for serving
Instructions
1-Slice the thawed calamari tubes into ยพ-inch thick rings to ensure even cooking and a tender texture.
2-Stir 1 teaspoon kosher salt into ยฝ cup 2% milk in a bowl, then add the calamari rings and refrigerate for 30 minutes to tenderize and reduce odor.
3-Whisk together 1 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour, โ cup cornstarch, ยฝ teaspoon baking powder, ยพ teaspoon oregano, ยฝ teaspoon black pepper, and ยฝ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
4-Using tongs, shake excess milk from a portion of calamari and toss in the flour mixture to coat evenly; place coated rings in a colander to rest briefly. Repeat with the remaining calamari.
5-Preheat your oven to 150ยฐF and set up a wire rack lined with paper towels on a sheet pan for draining.
6-Heat grapeseed oil to 350-365ยฐF in a deep pot or fryer. Test the oil by dropping one calamari ring in if bubbles form and the ring floats, it’s ready.
7-Fry the calamari in batches of about 8 for approximately 3 minutes or until golden brown.
8-Remove with a slotted spoon, place on the wire rack, season immediately with kosher salt, and keep warm in the oven.
9-Serve hot with lemon wedges for a fresh finish.
Last Step:
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๐ Soaking calamari in salted milk tenderizes it and reduces fishiness, improving the flour coating adhesion.
๐ช Slice calamari to consistent thickness to ensure a tender center and crispy exterior.
โณ Let coated calamari rest before frying to help the flour coating adhere better and rehydrate.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Soaking time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Seafood, American
- Diet: Gluten
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 pound
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
