Calamari Fritti Recipe
Crispy fried calamari served with marinara sauce.
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Calamari
Marinara Sauce
Method
Prepare the Marinara Sauce
- 1
- 2
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, and add the dried oregano, salt, and sugar. Stir to combine.
- 3
Simmer the Sauce
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chopped fresh basil just before serving.
Fry the Calamari
- 4
Prepare the Coating
In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder.
- 5
Soak the Calamari
In another bowl, soak the cleaned calamari rings in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.
- 6
Heat the Oil
In a deep pot or fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Ensure there is enough oil to fully submerge the calamari.
- 7
Coat and Fry
Remove the calamari from the buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge the calamari rings in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Fry them in batches for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate.
- 8
Serve
Serve the crispy fried calamari hot with the marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
