This crispy Air Fryer Calamari brings the perfect restaurant-style appetizer right to your kitchen, using just a fraction of the oil! Golden-brown, tender squid rings emerge from your air fryer in only 7 minutes, delivering that irresistible crunch you crave.
With just 185 calories per serving and 7 grams of protein, this healthier take on the classic seafood starter proves you don’t need deep frying for amazing results. The secret lies in the air fryer’s magic, creating that delectable crispy coating while keeping the calamari perfectly tender inside.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Squid rings: 8 ounces, patted dry thoroughly for best coating results
- All-purpose flour: 1/3 cup, creates the initial coating layer
- Egg mixture: 1 large egg beaten with 1/4 cup buttermilk for perfect adhesion
- Panko breadcrumbs: 2 cups, ensures extra crispy exterior
- Seasonings: Sea salt, black pepper, and cayenne for delightful heat
- Finishing touches: Marinara sauce, citrus slices, fresh parsley
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for optimal crispiness
- Station Setup: Arrange three bowls – flour in first, egg-buttermilk mixture in second, seasoned breadcrumbs in third
- Coating Process: Dip each ring in flour, then egg mixture, finally coat with seasoned breadcrumbs
- Air Frying Setup: Spray basket with cooking spray, arrange calamari in single layer
- First Round: Air fry for 4 minutes until golden brown on first side
- Final Touch: Flip rings, continue cooking 2-3 minutes until perfectly crispy
- Serving: Plate immediately with marinara sauce, citrus wedges, and fresh parsley garnish
Cooking Tips for Perfect Calamari
The secret to tender calamari is getting your air fryer nice and hot before cooking. Pat those squid rings completely dry – this helps the coating stick better and creates a crispier finish. If your calamari pieces are different sizes, cook similar-sized pieces together for even cooking. A light spray of oil makes a big difference in getting that golden-brown color we all love!
Simple Swaps
No buttermilk? Mix regular milk with a splash of lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes. Regular breadcrumbs work instead of panko, though they’ll be less crispy. Want more kick? Double the cayenne or add your favorite hot sauce to the egg wash. For a gluten-free version, use rice flour and gluten-free panko – it works just as well!
Serving Ideas
Serve your calamari right away while it’s hot and crispy! Besides marinara sauce, try a garlic aioli or spicy remoulade for dipping. Add a few lemon wedges on the side – a little citrus squeeze brings out the seafood flavors. This makes a great appetizer with cold beers or white wine, or turn it into a main dish with a fresh green salad and some crispy fries.
Storage and Reheating
While calamari is best fresh, you can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days in an airtight container. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes – this brings back some of the crispiness. Skip the microwave – it’ll make them chewy!
Air Fryer Calamari
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Squid rings patted dry
- 1/3 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
- Marinara Sauce for serving
- Lemon or Lime slices for serving
- Fresh Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Place flour in a shallow bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk egg and buttermilk together. In a third bowl, combine bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Coat the calamari rings with flour, then dredge through the egg mixture. Press into the bread crumb mixture, coating well, then set aside on a plate.
- Spray the inside of the fryer basket with cooking spray. Place coated rings in the basket of the air fryer in a single layer, spray the tops with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 4 minutes. Open basket, flip calamari, and fry for an additional 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately with marinara, cocktail sauce, or aioli.
