Jul 14 2026

Calamares Fritos Recipe

Time30m
Serves4

Golden and crispy fried calamari rings

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Ingredients

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Calamari

Method

Preparation of Calamari

  1. 1

    Clean the Calamari

    Begin by cleaning the fresh calamari. Remove the head and innards, and peel off the outer skin. Rinse the calamari under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

  2. 2

    Cut into Rings

    Slice the calamari tube into rings about 1/2 inch thick. Set aside in a bowl.

Breading Process

  1. 3

    Mix Dry Ingredients

    In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Whisk together until well combined.

  2. 4

    Prepare Buttermilk

    Pour the buttermilk into a separate bowl. This will be used to dip the calamari before breading.

  3. 5

    Coat the Calamari

    Dip each calamari ring into the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off, then coat in the flour mixture. Ensure each ring is evenly coated. Set aside on a plate.

Frying

  1. 6

    Heat the Oil

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

  2. 7

    Fry the Calamari

    Carefully add the breaded calamari rings to the hot oil in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

  3. 8

    Drain Excess Oil

    Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried calamari from the oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Serving

  1. 9

    Serve Hot

    Serve the golden and crispy fried calamari immediately with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce.

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