Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsLeone'sFried Calamari Recipe

Fried Calamari Recipe

Inspired by Leone's
Time30m
Serves4

Tossed with lemon, olive oil, hot pepper flakes, garlic and served with marinara

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Ingredients

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Calamari

Marinara Sauce

Method

Preparation of Calamari

  1. 1

    Clean and Prepare Calamari

    Rinse the calamari rings under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Make sure they are free of any residual grit.

  2. 2

    Season the Calamari

    In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and black pepper. Dredge the calamari rings in the flour mixture until they are evenly coated.

Frying Calamari

  1. 3

    Heat the Oil

    In a deep skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

  2. 4

    Fry the Calamari

    Carefully add the calamari rings to the hot oil in batches. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Making the Marinara Sauce

  1. 5

    Cook the Marinara

    In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

  2. 6

    Add the Tomatoes and Seasonings

    Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, oregano, basil, and sugar to the saucepan. Stir well and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.

Serving

  1. 7

    Toss and Serve

    In a large bowl, toss the fried calamari with lemon juice, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. Serve immediately with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

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