Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsRolling Pin CaféCalamari Recipe

Calamari Recipe

Inspired by Rolling Pin Café
Time40m
Serves4

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

Method

Calamari Preparation

  1. 1

    Clean and Cut Calamari

    Begin by cleaning the calamari. Remove the head and innards, then peel off the outer skin and rinse under cold water. Cut the body into rings about 1/2 inch thick.

  2. 2

    Prepare the Breading

    In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix well to ensure an even coating.

  3. 3

    Prepare the Egg Mixture

    In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined.

  4. 4

    Heat the Oil

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

  5. 5

    Bread the Calamari

    Dip each calamari ring first into the egg mixture, then into the flour mixture, ensuring they are fully coated.

  6. 6

    Fry the Calamari

    Carefully place the breaded calamari rings into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Marinara Sauce

  1. 7

    Sauté Garlic

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

  2. 8

    Prepare the Sauce

    Add the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.

  3. 9

    Simmer

    Bring the sauce to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  4. 10

    Serve

    Once the sauce has thickened slightly, remove from heat and serve warm alongside the fried calamari.

More from Rolling Pin Café