Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Gridiron Restaurant & Sports Pub›Crispy Calamari Recipe

Crispy Calamari Recipe

Inspired by Gridiron Restaurant & Sports Pub
Time1h
Serves4

Lightly breaded, fried and served with a spicy marinara.

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Ingredients

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Calamari

Spicy Marinara Sauce

Method

Preparing the Calamari

  1. 1

    Soak the Calamari

    In a medium bowl, pour the buttermilk over the calamari rings. Ensure all the rings are submerged and let them soak for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

  2. 2

    Prepare the Breading

    In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well to combine.

Frying the Calamari

  1. 3

    Heat the Oil

    In a deep skillet or pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). You can test the oil by dropping a small amount of the breading mixture into the oil; it should sizzle and bubble.

  2. 4

    Bread the Calamari

    Remove the soaked calamari rings from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each ring in the flour mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.

  3. 5

    Fry the Calamari

    Carefully add the breaded calamari rings to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the calamari and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Making the Spicy Marinara Sauce

  1. 6

    Sauté the Garlic

    In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

  2. 7

    Combine Ingredients

    Add the crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the saucepan. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.

  3. 8

    Simmer the Sauce

    Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to taste.

  4. 9

    Finish with Basil

    Stir in the chopped fresh basil just before serving.

Serving

  1. 10

    Plate the Dish

    Serve the crispy calamari hot, accompanied by a generous portion of spicy marinara sauce for dipping.

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