Crispy Calamari recipe served on a plate, by ON St. Elmo
Jul 09 2026
RestaurantsON St. ElmoCrispy Calamari Recipe

Crispy Calamari Recipe

Inspired by ON St. Elmo
Time30m
Serves4

Served with a spicy aioli.

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Ingredients

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Calamari

Method

Preparing the Calamari

  1. 1

    Clean the Calamari

    Rinse the fresh calamari under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Slice the calamari bodies into rings and set aside.

  2. 2

    Prepare the Coating

    In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well to create an even coating mixture.

  3. 3

    Heat the Oil

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

  4. 4

    Coat the Calamari

    Dredge the calamari rings in the flour mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour.

  5. 5

    Fry the Calamari

    Carefully place the coated calamari rings into the hot oil in small batches, frying them for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Making the Spicy Aioli

  1. 6

    Combine Ingredients

    In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, minced garlic, hot sauce, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.

  2. 7

    Adjust to Taste

    Taste the aioli and adjust seasoning by adding more hot sauce or lemon juice if desired.

Serving

  1. 8

    Plate the Calamari

    Arrange the crispy calamari on a serving platter.

  2. 9

    Serve with Aioli

    Serve hot with the spicy aioli on the side for dipping.

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