Italian Fried Calamari (Calamari Fritti)

It's a simple appetizer using only a few ingredients: fresh squid, flour, olive oil, and fresh garlic cloves. This is an excellent appetizer for Mediterranean roasted red snapper or baked steelhead trout with garlic lime butter. Serve alongside steamed lobster tails or shrimp cocktail.

Calamari Fritti

Fried calamari, also known as calamari fritti in Italian, is a simple, easy, and delicious way to prepare fresh squid. Traditional Italian calamari is known to be same-day fresh, especially if you are living in a cute Italian coastal town.

This is why traditional fried calamari recipes use literally flour, olive oil, and fresh squid.

Ingredient Notes

Fresh squid: I recommend buying fresh (not previously frozen) whole squid for the best fried calamari.

Crushed garlic: Mash fresh garlic cloves into a paste using a mortar and pestle. Alternatively use a garlic press to crush the garlic.

Crushed or mashed garlic is a paste and different from minced garlic. Authentic calamari fritti doesn't traditionally marinate the squid in garlic paste, but I highly recommend it if you are a garlic lover!

How To Make Italian Fried Calamari

Clean the fresh whole squid.

Cut the squid into squid rings. Mash fresh garlic cloves into a paste using a mortar and pestle.

In a large bowl, add some flour. Dredge the squid in flour, dusting off the excess flour.

Important! Don't add salt to the flour. Salt is added at the end once the calamari is fried.

Coat all of the squid pieces in flour. Heat the oil in a wide stovetop frying pan. Make sure there is enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan.

Test the oil by adding a piece of bread. The oil is hot enough when bubbles form around the bread.

Add the squid to the hot oil in small batches, forming a single layer. Flip the squid using tongs once they turn golden brown (about 2 to 3 minutes on each side). Move the crispy fried calamari to a plate lined with paper towels using a slotted spoon.

Taste the calamari and add a pinch of salt as needed. Serve this crispy Italian fried calamari with some lemon wedges!

Tips and Tricks

• Get fresh squid. I recommend buying fresh whole squid and cleaning and prepping the squid at home. It takes about 5 minutes to clean and cut the squid. Fresh squid is tender and flavorful. My local grocery store has fresh squid, but you can also check a local fish market. Fresh is key!
• Use olive oil. In some regions (like Italy), people fry in olive oil. Olive oil has a delicious flavor that makes this calamari fritti recipe next level!
• Don't overheat the olive oil. Olive oil has a lower smoke point than other frying oils, so it's important not to heat it too hot. I usually start with the olive oil on high heat, then turn it down to medium heat for the second batch of squid.
• Add the squid to hot oil. The calamari will get overly greasy and not crisp if the oil is not hot.
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice right before eating.
• Completely thaw frozen squid before coating it with flour and frying.
• Use paper towels to drain the excess oil.

Variations and Substitutions

• Restaurants in the U.S. normally serve fried calamari with a side of marinara sauce. It's optional but not required to have a dipping sauce.
• Use bread crumbs in place of flour.
• Use a high-temperature frying oil like vegetable oil instead of olive oil.

📋 Recipe

Italian Fried Calamari (Calamari Fritti)

• Storage: I do not recommend freezing this Italian fried calamari. You can marinate the squid in the garlic paste for a few hours in the fridge before cooking it. I recommend using fresh seafood straight away for the best results.