Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsThames Street Oyster HouseFried Calamari Recipe

Fried Calamari Recipe

Time45m
Serves4

Lightly breaded, served with marinara sauce

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Ingredients

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Calamari

Marinara Sauce

Method

Fried Calamari

  1. 1

    Prepare the squid

    Rinse the cleaned squid under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Slice the squid bodies into rings about 1/2 inch thick.

  2. 2

    Make the breading station

    In three separate shallow bowls, place the all-purpose flour in one, the beaten eggs in the second, and a mixture of cornstarch, breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in the third.

  3. 3

    Coat the squid

    Dip each squid ring first into the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, followed by the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it is evenly coated.

  4. 4

    Heat the oil

    In a large, deep skillet or pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). You can check the temperature by dropping in a small piece of bread; it should sizzle and turn golden brown in about 30 seconds.

  5. 5

    Fry the calamari

    Carefully add the coated squid rings to the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and drain on paper towels.

  6. 6

    Serve

    Serve the fried calamari immediately with lemon wedges and marinara sauce for dipping.

Marinara Sauce

  1. 7

    Sauté the garlic

    In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, ensuring it doesn’t burn.

  2. 8

    Add tomatoes and seasonings

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

  3. 9

    Simmer the sauce

    Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chopped fresh basil just before serving.

  4. 10

    Serve with calamari

    Serve the marinara sauce warm alongside the fried calamari for dipping.

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