Air Fryer Calamari
This air fryer calamari recipe is the ultimate guide to cooking crispy, tender calamari rings with a light, flavorful coating. It's a quick, fail-proof method for a delicious appetizer without a deep fryer.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Large bowl
- Tongs
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 lb calamari rings fresh or thawed
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cornstarch or rice flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil or cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Calamari: If using frozen, thaw overnight. Pat the air fryer calamari rings completely dry with paper towels.
- Make the Coating: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Coat the Calamari: Add the dried calamari rings to the flour mixture. Toss gently until each ring is evenly coated.
- Preheat & Arrange: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 3-5 minutes. Lightly coat the floured calamari with a spray of olive oil and arrange in a single layer in the basket. Do not overcrowd.
- Air Fry: Cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The air fryer calamari should be golden-brown and crispy.
- Serve: Remove immediately from the air fryer and serve with lemon wedges and a dipping sauce.
Notes
- Tenderness is Key: Calamari cooks quickly. The key to tender, not-chewy calamari is to not overcook it.
- Avoid Soggy Coating: The most important step for crispy air fryer calamari is to pat the rings completely dry before coating.