Breaded squid with cherry tomatoes in the air fryer is a tasty and light seafood main course.
I recommend buying squid from your trusted fishmonger, asking them for already cleaned and cut into rings.
I use homemade breading: healthy and simple, tasty, and light based on whole wheat breadcrumbs.
Don’t forget to account for the breading in the total carb count of your meal.
Easy and ready in minutes.
Delicious, soft, and succulent the breaded squid rings and cherry tomatoes will win everyone over.
Naturally, you can also bake them in the oven.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 2People
- Cooking methods: Air Frying, Electric Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 14 oz squid (or calamari)
- cherry tomatoes
- olives
- to taste breadcrumbs (or whole wheat breadcrumbs)
- 1 tsp cheese (grated: caciocavallo or grana or parmesan)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch mixed peppercorns (with grinder)
- to taste chopped parsley
- to taste oregano
- 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil (raw)
Suggested Tools
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Air Fryer
Preparation
I recommend buying squid from your trusted fishmonger, asking them for already cleaned and cut into rings.
If needed, cleaning the squid:
– pull the tentacles out of the body;
this way the insides and ink sac will also be removed;
– continue cleaning the body by pulling off the skin and extracting the backbone;
– continue cleaning the tentacles by removing the beak;
– rinse the body and tentacles well under water.Cut the squid into rings and the tentacles into pieces.
Wash them thoroughly under running water, let them drain in a colander, and pat the residual water with kitchen paper towels.
Wash the tomatoes thoroughly.
Cut and remove the stem part if deemed necessary.
Cut each fruit vertically in half.Drain and rinse the olives.
Pour the cut squid rings and tentacles into a bowl.
Add:
– to taste, breadcrumbs or whole wheat breadcrumbs;
– one teaspoon of grated cheese [optional];
– a pinch of salt;
– a pinch of pepper;
– chopped parsley;
and mix.Follow the instructions – program, temperature, and time – indicated in your appliance’s manual.
Occasionally check the degree of cooking.Procedure with my homemade Benedetta air fryer – Kasanova.
Remove the cooking basket from the air fryer.
Place a special parchment paper sheet on the bottom of the basket.Arrange the breaded squid in a single layer, avoiding overlap.
Add:
– cherry tomatoes;
– olives;
– oregano;
– grind some more pepper.Turn on the air fryer and set it as follows:
– fish program;
– temperature 356°F;
– cooking time 12 minutes.I did not preheat.
After the first 10 minutes:
– remove the basket from the air fryer;
– spray or drizzle with a bit of extra virgin olive oil;
– close the basket and continue cooking for a couple of minutes until the desired level of crispiness and golden brown.Stir to distribute the breading evenly.
Plate.
Your breaded squid with cherry tomatoes in the air fryer is ready.
Enjoy your meal!
Storage, Tips, and Variations
You can also use calamari rings and tentacles.
For a more aromatic version, add grated lemon zest.
You can use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
You can omit the cheese.
You can flavor the coating with herbs and spices to taste.
If you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
You can consume it the next day after reheating in the oven.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I use calamari instead of squid?
Yes!
Reduce the cooking time slightly as they cook faster.How do you know when the squid is cooked?
When they are golden on the outside but still soft on the inside.
Be careful not to overcook them: they become tough.Can I bake them in the oven?
Yes!
Line a baking tray* with parchment paper.
* wide, the breaded squid should not be overlapped.
Preheat the oven.
Bake in a ventilated oven at 392°F for about 15-20 minutes, until golden.
For a crunchier and more golden coating: remove a couple of minutes early, spray or drizzle with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and complete the cooking.
Shellfish and Cholesterol
In our dietary scheme, calamari and squid, octopus and cuttlefish, are among the foods indicated as “to be consumed occasionally”.
In fact, although they are mollusks with lean meat, they are a source of cholesterol whose intake should be limited.
