The fried calamari is a classic in our kitchens. In this recipe, we explore the tricks and tips for a perfect fry in the air fryer and especially quick. In fact, to make them crispy like fried ones and to achieve impeccable cooking, just a few simple steps, quick and easy, are needed. For this recipe, we need very few ingredients: calamari (whole to cut or already in rings), semola remilled, spray EVO oil, and a pinch of salt at the end. They are so easy to make that once you try them, you will always make them again!
The fried calamari in the air fryer is perfect for parties or a Sunday with family or friends. Alternatively, you can choose to fry them in hot seed oil, as per the classic recipe. In this case, follow the recipe with the tips below and then fry them in a high-sided pan with about 2 quarts of seed oil (your choice) until golden brown.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 3 people
- Cooking methods: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 500 g calamari
- as needed semola remilled durum wheat
- as needed extra virgin olive oil SPRAY
- as needed salt
Tools
- Air Fryer
Steps
First, cut the calamari into rings or buy them already cut. Dry the calamari thoroughly trying to pat them one by one: this is one of the crucial steps for a great fry.
In a clear food bag, pour the semola remilled, I used about 5 tablespoons, but there’s no precise measurement. Insert the calamari inside, then close the opening (hold it with your hands) and shake the bag well: this step will allow the semola to stick evenly to the calamari.
Now sift the calamari to remove all excess semola. This is also an essential process.
Transfer the calamari to the basket of the air fryer, preferably without overlapping them. Spray a dash of EVO oil onto the calamari. Cook them at 375 °F for 15 minutes, making sure to flip them halfway through.
Alternatively, you can fry them the traditional way using a high-sided pan with about 2 quarts of seed oil, until golden and flipping them halfway through cooking.
Serve with some wedge of lemon if desired, add a pinch of salt and they are ready: crispy outside and perfect inside. Enjoy your meal!
Tips For You
✔ To achieve a perfect fry, just follow the tricks and tips in the recipe above.
✔ I do not recommend using all-purpose flour, but alternatively, you can mix it with semola remilled flour.
✔ For this recipe, it is necessary to cook the calamari directly in the basket of the air fryer without trays or parchment paper: this way they will cook thanks to the air that passes 360 degrees from bottom to top, allowing for ideal air frying. Trays or parchment paper would hinder this process by blocking the circulating air inside the air fryer.
✔ The spray oil I used is available in supermarkets. I recommend these because their spray is truly nebulizing and controlled, as well as being excellent. You can find some by clicking here. Alternatively, you can purchase a spray bottle that you can fill yourself with the oil of your choice. I leave you the link to an excellent nebulizer here.
✔ I recommend using the BBQ mesh to place directly in the non-stick basket of your air fryer: the mesh protects the non-stick coating of the basket (which will remain as new) and allows the food to cook evenly, letting the air pass 360 degrees. You can find it on Amazon by clicking here.
✔ Alternatively, you can use perforated parchment paper, which allows air to pass from bottom to top. You can find it on Amazon here: link.
✔ For this recipe, I used the air fryer COSORI Dual Blaze 6.4 L, with upper and lower resistance. You can find it here: link.
Don’t miss the latest recipe 👉 lamb with potatoes in the air fryer: the meat will be perfect and juicy!
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