SeafoodSpanish

Fried Calamari

Name: Fried Calamari
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 300g Squid; 200g Plain Flour; 2 tblsp Capers; 1 clove peeled crushed Garlic; 5 tblsp Mayonnaise; For frying Vegetable Oil; To serve Lemon

Fried Calamari is a classic Spanish dish that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully prepared featuring Squid, Plain Flour, Capers, Garlic, Mayonnaise and Lemon, the ingredients are simmered and seasoned to achieve a satisfying depth of flavor. True to traditional Spanish cooking, the dish focuses on steeped in smoky pimentón, delicate saffron, and extra-virgin olive oil.

In authentic Spanish tradition, Fried Calamari is best presented served family-style with crusty bread and lemon halves.

If you enjoy authentic Spanish cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Arroz Con Gambas Y Calamar.

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Ingredients

Squid300g
Plain Flour200g
Capers2 tblsp
Garlic1 clove peeled crushed
Mayonnaise5 tblsp
Vegetable OilFor frying
LemonTo serve

Step-by-Step Instructions

13 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1

Cut the squid into rings about ½cm thick.

Step 2

Tip the flour into a freezer bag and season well.

Step 3🥄 Mix

Add the capers, then give everything a good shake to mix together.

Step 4

Tip the squid into the bag, then shake again until all the rings are well coated.

Step 5🥄 Mix

Mix together the garlic and mayonnaise, then place in a serving bowl.

Step 6

Pour some oil into a large pan until it comes about 7cm up the sides, but the pan is no more than a third full.

Step 7

Place over a medium heat and let the oil warm up.

Step 8

To test that the oil is ready, place a small piece of bread in the pan – it should sizzle when it touches the oil.

Step 9

Remove a handful of squid from the flour and shake off any excess.

Step 10⏱️ 3 mins

Gently drop into the oil, then cook for about 3 mins until crisp.

Step 11

Remove with a slotted spoon and place on kitchen paper.

Step 12

Repeat with the remaining squid.

Step 13✨ Serve

Serve straight away with the mayonnaise and lemon wedges.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Fried Calamari reflects the timeless heritage of traditional Spanish home cooking, steeped in smoky pimentón, delicate saffron, and extra-virgin olive oil. Prepared for generations for family gatherings and celebrations, it represents the heart of regional culinary identity.

Dietary Substitutions

If you need to accommodate dietary restrictions, squid can be substituted with an equivalent volume of seasonal vegetables, legumes, or a protein alternative of your preference.

Chef Technique Tips

Season in stages rather than all at once at the end. Salting components as they cook draws out excess moisture, intensifies natural sugars, and builds harmonious depth of flavor throughout the dish.

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