Jun 09 2026

Calamari Fritti Recipe

Time45m
Serves4

Fried calamari served with marinara sauce.

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Ingredients

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For the Calamari

For the Marinara Sauce

Method

Preparing the Marinara Sauce

  1. 1

    Sauté Garlic

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

  2. 2

    Add Tomatoes and Seasonings

    Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Bring to a simmer.

  3. 3

    Simmer the Sauce

    Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Frying the Calamari

  1. 4

    Prepare the Coating

    In a bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

  2. 5

    Coat the Calamari

    Dip each calamari ring into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off. Then, coat the calamari in the flour mixture, ensuring an even layer.

  3. 6

    Heat the Oil

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

  4. 7

    Fry the Calamari

    Fry the calamari in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove and drain on paper towels.

  5. 8

    Serve

    Serve the fried calamari hot with the marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

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