This page requires that scripting be enabled in your browser to function properly. If you need help enabling scripting, please vist our
technical FAQ page.

READY IN 20 mins

Calamari

Read Reviews (117)

"This is a delicious, very easy, quick but moderately expensive recipe. Everyone I've ever fixed it for absolutely loves it!" — bluebayou

Ingredients Edit and Save

Watch video tips and tricks

Pasta Fagioli

Quick Chicken Piccata

Mushroom and Ricotta Bruschetta

Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomato Chicken

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage

Gnocchi I

Gnocchi in Fontina Sauce

Fresh Semolina and Egg Pasta

Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo

Measuring All-Purpose Flour

Types of Cooking Oil

Freshly Ground vs. Pre-Ground Pepper

Types of Salt

Original recipe makes 10 appetizer servings Change Servings

3 cups vegetable oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 squid, cleaned and sliced into rings
1 lemon - cut into wedges, for garnish

Check All Add to Shopping List

Directions

Preheat oil in a heavy, deep frying pan or pot. Oil should be heated to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C).
In a medium size mixing bowl mix together flour, salt, oregano and black pepper. Dredge squid through flour and spice mixture.
Place squid in oil for 2 to 3 minutes or until light brown. Beware of overcooking, squid will be tough if overcooked. Dry squid on paper towels. Serve with wedges of lemon.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 15 mins
COOK 5 mins
READY IN 20 mins

ADVERTISE WITH US

I am from Spain and one thing you must add to this recipes is 1/2 Tbs of Superfinly chopped Garlic (or galic powder will do just fine too) and 1/2 Tbs dried parsley. It adds the true spanish flare to this classic dish. Do this and this recipes will be well over 5 stars. Make some Aioli from this site and WOOOHOOO, mouth watering goodness awaits your taste buds :)

—Outback Sweet Treats

See full review »

Most Helpful Critical Review

Jun 21, 2005

I have made this twice now, and both times it's come out awful. After the first time, I assumed from the reviews it that it had to be my fault, but now I'm not so sure. Both times I made it, it was lacking flavor. Really needed more spice or something. It was like eating a bisquit.

—Huck

See full review »

154 Ratings

See other versions of this recipe!

Nov 10, 2003

This was one of the best Calamari recipes I've used - and easy! The key to tenderness is to NOT overcook in the oil - even if it does't look quite as golden brown as you like. Just follow the recipe exactly. I served the calamari with the "Best Marinara Sauce Yet" recipe and homemade tartar sauce. A green salad completed this dinner. This recipe is another reason why I choose Allrecipe.com's 5* recipes - just delicious!

—FMDEMAY

See full review »

Dec 31, 2003

Excellent recipe. Very tender. What about a good dipping sauce? Maybe with a little heat. I'll check Back to see if anyone posted one. Thanks. Fortchy

—JOSEPH FORTUNATO

See full review »

Sep 04, 2005

I've found that with this recipe, you dont want to cook the squid for more than 2 minutes, I cook it for 2 minutes with a few pieces in the pot at once ( dont cook to many pieces at once or the temp. of the oil will drop. I cook on avg 8 pieces at a time ). My family just loves this recipe. Thanks for sharing it.

—tiggzangel

See full review »

Jul 13, 2003

This is great!!!! We love calamari, and a local restaurant here just serves it w/ a nice, spicey marinara sauce - it is a favorite at this local Italian rest. I love the Classico Sweet Basil Marinara sauce -- but I doctor it up. I add crushed red pepper(to taste, and we like it spicey), white wine, and a little bit of sugar to it.

—DOREENBUCH

See full review »

Aug 30, 2003

This was EXACTLY what I was looking for.....thank you very much for putting it on here.

—MIKE_W1234

See full review »

Mar 13, 2003

Quick, easy and tender. It took away my fear of overcooked "rubberbands" with the very first bite.

—The Stately Raven

See full review »

Rate This Recipe

Edit

Glad you liked it! Your friends will, too:

Did you tweak the recipe? Edit and save your own version of it!

Edit this recipe

More Recipes Like This See all

Calamari in Red Wine and Tomato Sauce

Buttermilk-Battered Calamari

Calamari Macaronatha

Cory's Best Calamari

Chef Nick's Amazing Calamari

Calamari with Tomato Sauce

Grammy's Calamari Salad

Calamari Salad

Calamari Steaks Parmigiano

Calamari in a Creamy White Wine Sauce

ADVERTISE WITH US

Nutrition

Calories
642 kcal
32%

Carbohydrates
5.2 g
2%

Cholesterol
112 mg
37%

Fat
66.7 g
103%

Fiber
0.7 g
3%

Protein
8 g
16%

Sodium
254 mg
10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Calamari

Serving Size: 1/10 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 10
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 642
Calories from Fat: 601

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 66.7g 103 %
Saturated Fat 8.7g 44 %
Cholesterol 112mg 37 %
Sodium 254mg 10 %
Potassium 141mg 4 %
Total Carbohydrates 5.2g 2 %
Dietary Fiber 0.7g 3 %
Protein 8g 16 %
** Sugars 0g
Vitamin A < 1 %
Vitamin C 18 %
Calcium 3 %
Iron 6 %
Thiamin 4 %
Niacin 21 %
Vitamin B6 3 %
Magnesium 7 %
Folate 5 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.