Air fryer calamari without buttermilk is the best appetizer even kids love! Fried squid rings are easy to make and so flavorful in your hot air machine. This is how to cook calamari quickly, breaded to tender at home.
I don’t know about you but air fryer cooking with squid rings is our favorite appetizer to munch on at restaurants. Without oil or being deep fried BUT still as crispy as ever. Find this and 50+ more air fryer recipes on The Typical Mom now. (affiliate links present)
Air Fryer Calamari
These taste very much like a pan fried calamari, you’ll be surprised at how much this tastes the same, and is cheaper too. With a light tempura like batter and tender fish inside, it is a healthy snack or side dish.
Ninja Foodi option
You can make these in any brand of air fry machine you might have at home. If so as one of our Ninja Foodi recipes, you will use the lid that is attached with the air crisp button.
Ingredient Notes
- Defrosted (previously frozen if that is all you can find) squid rings, calamari is what it is called is the base.
- Breadcrumbs, Italian style is best because that is already seasoned though you can do that yourself.
- Egg whisked will allow the breading items to stick nicely, seasoned lightly with salt and pepper. Alternatively you could brush with mayonnaise instead.
- Italian seasoning you might want to add if you are using Panko instead. That is another choice for breading but it will be lighter and not as thick of a coating.
- Cornstarch we use to absorb as much of the moisture on the outside as possible.
- I don’t think non stick cooking spray is necessary as this breading didn’t stick
- You may want some dipping sauces to serve these with too.
from Frozen
This is using freshly sliced from whole or defrosted out of the bag pieces. You would not be able to bread frozen calamari rings that are right out of the freezer. The only option to this is if you chose processed already breaded products. As far as that goes you would use the temp on the box typically with the same timing. Difference if you want to shake the basket halfway thru until crispy.
How Long to Air Fry Calamari
You will want to preheat air fryer basket for 5 minutes first so when that is added the cook time will be about 16 minutes. That will vary slightly depending on the thickness of your pieces and how golden brown you want them to be.
Hands down I love to air fry everything nowadays. Without submerging in oil, coated calamari you can still get a deep fried taste and texture in no time. You can use a pan on the stovetop to cook the outside which we share at the top but the texture is definitely different.
Air Fryer Calamari
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 2 shallow bowls
Ingredients
- 1 lb calamari, frozen but defrosted beforehand
- 2 eggs
- 1 c breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/3 c cornstarch
Instructions
- Defrost, rinse, and pat dry the calamari rings to remove excess water on outside of each piece. In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs.
- Place the breadcrumbs in a bowl + the Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper. Mix until well combined. Taste the breadcrumbs and if desired adjust the seasonings to your taste. Pour the corn starch in a separate bowl.
- Dip one calamari ring into the corn starch and coat entire surface, then dip into the lightly beaten eggs and make sure it’s properly coated. Dredge in the breadcrumbs making sure the entire calamari ring is coated on all sides.
- Place coated pieces in the air fryer basket. Do not stack on top of each other and do allow enough space around each ring to easily flip.
- Preheat air fryer to 400 for 5 minutes. Set air fryer to 9 minutes. Once the 9 minutes are up, carefully flip over the calamari rings and cook for another 2 minutes. Check, if you want them browner on the outside add a few more minutes.
- Once finished cooking the rings will be golden and crispy on the outside. The actual calamari will be cooked but it will be tender and not rubbery – this is what calamari should be like.
- Dip in marinara sauce and enjoy
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What goes good with fried calamari?
Since it is just mainly an appetizer you can just go with a simple lemon wedge, salad or slaw. I say it always needs to pair with marinara sauce though for sure, okay and ranch dressing works too. Need your next new idea? Try our air fryer empanadas, they’ll blow your mind.
Many times when setting air fryer to 400 I will look at what else needs that temp so air fryer vegetables and/or Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer work well to make an entire finger food dinner.
