Fried Calamari Perfect Crispy Breaded Squid Rings

Crispy fried calamari, a seafood lover's dream, these squid rings are breaded for extra crunch, and they take minutes to cook to perfection.

If you buy prepared squid rings, this delicious plate of crispy squid nibbles can be on your table in around 15 minutes. You can even cook them in an air fryer!

Perfect Crispy Squid Rings

I have nothing against batter on fish; in fact, the batter on my chip shop style fish recipe would work really well on these rings, as would the batter I use on my fish tacos.

But for me, I prefer my deep-fried calamari to be breaded.

It gives a slightly longer-lasting crunch to food like these squid rings, my fish goujons, prawn katsu curry or indeed my chicken goujons.

This recipe came about by accident when I realised that I didn't have enough flour for the squid rings I had planned to cook, and it just kinda stuck!

Cooking these perfect crispy nibbles takes no time at all, particularly if you use prepared squid.

They taste superb too, you can serve them as a starter or turn them into a light main course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really air fry calamari?

Deep frying these crispy calamari rings is the very best way to cook them, as far as I am concerned.

But if you are not into fried food, then air fryer calamari is a real option. You do have to be careful when flipping; if you are too rough, you will lose the crispy coating.

The results are very good; the squid is not quite as tender as it is when you deep fry it. But if you are worried about frying for whatever reason, it is a really good substitute.

How do I check the temperature of the oil if I use a saucepan?

I use a sugar thermometer to check the temperature of the oil if I am frying in a pan or a wok.

What's the safest way to fry on the stovetop?

I personally prefer a wok, because it allows far more room for expansion when food hits the oil. This means that there is less chance of the oil overflowing.

If you are using a saucepan, do not fill it more than a third full of oil!

Is it ok to use frozen squid rings?

I always use frozen prepared quid… There is a great deal of snobbery when it comes to frozen produce. Of course, some of it is good and some of it less so.

Squid is one of the good guys; it is also the only squid I can get my hands on. I use it for my salt and pepper squid, squid stir fry, as well as this fried calamari recipe.

In fact, there is some evidence that shows freezing and defrosting squid helps break down the proteins and leads to even more tender "fish".

Serving Suggestions

Traditionally, crispy calamari would be served as a starter with some lemon wedges and maybe a Greek side salad.

I like to do things a little differently and pivot away from Greek flavours and look to Spain instead.

Romesco sauce is a pepper and almond sauce that I adore, and the Spanish serve it with cod. I think it makes a great sauce for these perfectly fried calamari rings.

I also like to slowly fry down some chorizo sausage in a frying pan for 20 minutes. Then, sear off some leek rings in the pan before throwing in some capers.

This creates a really simple light main course meal rather than a starter.

But they work equally well with pickled daikon or even my spicy cucumber salad!

Equipment Used

I only name-check brands of equipment if I think they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

• Hob/stovetop deep, fat fryer or air fryer.
• A large saucepan at least 20cm or 8" in diameter, or a wok if you are frying on the stovetop.
• Kitchen knife and chopping board if you are not using prepared squid rings.
• A combination of weighing scales, measuring cups and spoons.
• Kitchen paper if you are frying.
• A thermometer for checking the oil temperature, I would recommend a sugar thermometer.