Crispy calamari without dredging in flour? It’s no longer a dream!
With an air fryer, it’s easy to turn tender squid into a crunchy treat with minimal effort. Air fryers can seem intimidating at first, but once you understand the basics and experiment with different ingredients, the possibilities are endless!
Grilled calamari will become your go-to dish—it’s quick to prepare, full of flavor, and packed with healthy nutrients like zinc and vitamin B-12.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to make simple and grilled calamari in an air fryer with and without breading so that you can enjoy restaurant-quality food from the comfort of your home.
Contents
How to Cook Air Fryer Calamari?
Here is a step-by-step guide to making an air fryer calamari.
1. Preparing the Calamari
The first step is to prepare the calamari.
- Thaw frozen calamari overnight in the refrigerator or for about 30 minutes in cold water.
- Pat dry with paper towels and cut into rings.
- Place them in a bowl and season with salt and pepper, garlic powder, lemon zest, oregano, parsley flakes, and paprika (optional).
- Toss to combine everything together evenly.
2. Cooking the Calamari
Next, heat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Once it’s heated up, place the calamari rings in a single layer on the basket of your air fryer. Cook for 5-7 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
Be sure to shake the basket halfway through cooking so that all sides of each ring get cooked evenly. Serve immediately while still hot!
Additionally, you may want to add some dipping sauces such as tartar sauce or cocktail sauce for extra flavor!
How Do You Cook Calamari So It’s Not Rubbery?
The key to cooking calamari so it isn’t rubbery is to not overcook it.
The ideal cooking time for air fryer calamari is around 5-7 minutes.
Any longer than that and you risk the squid becoming tough and rubbery. Keep a close eye on your calamari while it’s in the air fryer and remove it from the heat as soon as it’s golden brown and crispy.
How Long Should Calamari in an Air Fryer Be Cooked?
Calamari should be cooked for 5-7 minutes in an air fryer.
This will ensure that the calamari is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Any longer than 7 minutes and you risk your calamari becoming rubbery.
Why Do You Soak Calamari in Milk?
Soaking calamari in milk actually serves two purposes.
- First, it helps to tenderize the squid’s tough muscle fibers; this allows the squid to cook more quickly and evenly. The proteins within the squid react with the lactic acid in the milk, which breaks down these fibrous structures over time and makes them easier to chew.
- Second, soaking calamari in milk helps reduce its fishy taste. This is because some of the flavors found in seafood can become more intense as it cooks due to Maillard reactions—a phenomenon wherein certain amino acids and sugars interact with heat to create a stronger flavor profile.
By soaking calamari in milk, you are able to counterbalance this effect by introducing different components into the mix that can help reduce some of those unpleasant flavors.
For example, when you add salt or sugar to your dish (as recommended by many recipes), they act as buffers against some of these intense flavors while also helping draw out moisture from the squid so that it cooks faster.
Additionally, other ingredients like garlic powder or onion powder can help further reduce any unwanted fishy tastes.
Should I Boil Calamari Before Cooking Calamari in an Air Fryer?
No, there is no need to boil calamari before cooking calamari in an air fryer.
Boiling causes the squid to become too soft and mushy, which isn’t ideal for this type of cooking method.
The best way to prepare calamari for air frying is to thaw it if needed and pat it dry with paper towels before seasoning and placing in the air fryer.
Grilled Calamari in an Air Fryer
Grilled calamari in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy the flavor of grilled squid without having to use a grill.
To make grilled calamari in the air fryer, start by seasoning your calamari rings with salt, pepper, garlic powder, lemon zest, oregano, parsley flakes, and paprika (optional).
Next, heat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and place the calamari in a single layer on the basket of your air fryer. Cook for 5-7 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
Be sure to shake the basket halfway through cooking so that all sides of each ring get cooked evenly.
Serve immediately while still hot! For extra flavor, you may want to add some dipping sauces such as tartar sauce or cocktail sauce.
Air Fryer Calamari Without Breading
If you’re looking to make a lighter version of calamari, you can easily do so by omitting the breading.
- Start by seasoning your calamari rings with salt, pepper, garlic powder, lemon zest, and oregano.
- Next, heat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and place the calamari in a single layer on the basket of your air fryer. Cook for 5-7 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. Be sure to shake the basket halfway through cooking so that all sides of each ring get cooked evenly.
- Serve immediately while still hot! For extra flavor, you may want to add some dipping sauces such as tartar sauce or cocktail sauce. Enjoy!
Conclusion:
Air frying calamari is a quick and easy way to enjoy this delicious seafood dish without adding any extra fat from oil. With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty air fryer, you can make perfect golden-brown crispy calamari rings every time!
Because of this two-pronged approach – both tenderizing and flavoring – soaking calamari in milk can make for a far superior final dish! If you’re looking for an easy way to make delicious seafood dishes without having to worry about tough texture or overpowering tastes, then give this method a try today! You won’t be disappointed!
So grab some fresh or frozen squid and give it a try today—you won’t regret it! Enjoy!
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