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Air Fryer Calamari is a crispy flavor bomb of goodness in your mouth. Calamari is so succulent, you won’t be able to keep your hands from popping them in your mouth.       

Fully cooked crispy golden Calamari cooked in the air fry with parsley flakes and served on a round white plate with a side of cocktail sauce in a small clear glass bowl.

Look no further for such a quick and easy seafood dish. It’s ready in just minutes and you only need a few simple ingredients to make this delicious dish.

Table of Contents

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS CALAMARI RECIPE

You will love this recipe because it is fried calamari without the fuss of all the oil and lower in calories because they are made in an air fryer. It is always a family favorite for us to munch on as snacks or if we are looking for a light meal. 

These are perfect little bites that make a delicious appetizer on game days. It is a favorite appetizer in our household to dip these nuggets into with everyone on family movie nights.

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Ingredients:

  • all-purpose flour
  • large egg
  • regular milk
  • panko breadcrumbs
  • sea salt
  • ground black pepper
  • paprika
  • garlic powder
  • fresh calamari rings (can use frozen)
  • Olive oil cooking spray

Optional Additional Flavors: Red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper or ancho chili powder for a spicy kick. Onion powder, lemon pepper, bay seasoning, Italian seasoning or a squeeze of lemon juice.

Two clear bowls, one bowl contains fresh calamari, and the second bowl consist of breadcrumbs—a small round white plate containing spices, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and sea salt. In two measuring cups, one measuring cup contains flour, and the second measuring cup contains flour: one brown egg and a can of avocado oil spray.

How to Make Calamari in the Air Fryer:

  1. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

  2. Create a dredging station with the egg and milk, flour mixture and seasoned breadcrumbs.

  3. Place flour in a shallow dish. Set flour aside.

    A clear round bowl with flour. You can see a small portion of the round white plate of spices in the top left of the picture. You can see a whole brown egg in the top right of the image.

  4. In a separate shallow dish whisk the egg and milk together. Set milk mixture aside.

    Clear round bowl with the milk and eggs whisked together. To the right of the bowl is the whisk used to mix. At the top of the picture are a small portion of the breadcrumbs bowl and half of the spices plate showing the paprika and black pepper.

  5. In a third separate bowl combine panko, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder together. Set breadcrumb mixture aside.

    Paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder are poured on top of the breadcrumbs in the glass bowl. At the top of the picture is a small portion of the bowl with the milk and egg mixture, and the top right of the image shows two whole brown eggs.

  6. Rinse the calamari with cold water.

  7. Then pat the calamari rings dry with a paper towel before dipping to remove excess water.

    A paper towel in the center of the picture is used to get the excess water from the rinsed calamari. In the top left of the image is a bowl holding the rest of the calamari, and to the top right of the picture is a clear bowl consisting of the breadcrumb mixture.

  8. Dip calamari rings in flour (shake off excess flour), then into the egg mixture, and finally in the seasoned panko mixture.

    A clear round bowl with calamari on a fork is dipped into the breadcrumb mixture. At the top right of the picture is a small portion of the glass bowl containing flour and in the top right of the photo is a clear bowl containing the mix and egg mixture.

  9. Place the calamari rings in a single layer into the air fryer basket. Place extra rings on a baking sheet if working in batches.

    A picture of the air fryer basket with calamari, not overlapping, that has been dipped and ready to air fry. A small portion of the air fryer base is in the top left of the picture, and a can of avocado oil and a small glass bowl of cocktail sauce is to the top right.

  10. Spray tops of rings with nonstick cooking spray.

  11. Air fry at 400 degrees F for 4 minutes. Flip rings at this point in the cooking process then spray tops with olive oil cooking spray. Continue to air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and have crispy calamari.

    A close-up of the air fryer basket with the calamari cooking and becoming golden brown.

  12. If using frozen calamari rings, you may need to add 2-4 minutes of additional cook time. Do not overcook or you will get tough calamari.

  13. Place calamari on a wire rack so they remain crispy.  Add a sprinkle of salt and black pepper as soon as they are removed from the air fryer.

Optional Favorite Dipping Sauce: Cocktail sauce, marinara sauce, tartar sauce, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, garlic aioli, bechamel sauce or homemade lemon garlic aioli. 

Optional Additional Toppings: Lemon wedges, chopped parsley, grated parmesan cheese or fresh lemon juice.Kitchen Tips: You will find fresh or frozen calamari in most local grocery stores.

Substitutions: Use parchment paper for easier clean up. Avocado oil spray instead of olive oil. Use cassava flour or tapioca flour instead of all-purpose flour. Swap out milk for one cup buttermilk.

I make this recipe in my Cosori 5.8 qt. air fryer or 6.8 quart air fryer. Depending on your air fryer, size and wattages, cooking time may need to be adjusted 1-2 minutes.

A tan round plate with crispy calamari fully cooked from the air fryer with a small glass bowl of cocktail sauce with parsley flakes on the calamari and also on the table for looks.

FAQ’s

What can I serve with this dish?

This dish will compliment other dishes because the flavors and crispy texture are wonderful. Parmesan fries, stir fry or a spicy jambalaya will all be delicious. Alongside a creamy potato salad, rainbow cole slaw or macaroni salad will all be super tasty.

How to store leftover calamari?

Allow calamari to completely cool prior to storing. Place calamari in an airtight plastic container resealable storage bag in your refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place in an airtight container or freezer storage bag in your freezer for up to 1 month. 

What are a few ways to serve this dish?

This dish can be served on its own with dips or on a platter with other accoutrements. Serve it on top of cheesy grits, pasta with spicy red sauce or a fresh butter lettuce salad.

Can I use calamari in other dishes?

Of course! Calamari is used in a lot of Italian recipes. It can be grilled, baked or fried and found on top of fresh salads, soups, pastas and stews. Stuffed with rice and herbs or grilled calamari on toast points will make delicious meals or appetizers.

A close-up picture of golden brown calamari cooked in the air fryer with one piece of calamari dipped in a small glass bowl with cocktail sauce.

MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES:

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Close-up of golden brown calamari cooked in the air fryer served on a round white plate with a small glass bowl of cocktail sauce on the plate to the right.
5 from 1 vote
Servings: 4

Air Fryer Calamari

By Jen
Air Fryer Calamari is a crispy flavor bomb of goodness in your mouth. Calamari is so succulent, you won't be able to keep your hands from popping them in your mouth.  
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
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Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup All purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup milk, regular
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 pound calamari rings, fresh or frozen
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil cooking spray

Instructions 

  • Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.
  • Create a dredging station with the egg and milk, flour mixture and seasoned breadcrumbs.
  • Place flour in a shallow dish. Set flour aside.
  • In a separate shallow dish whisk the egg and milk together. Set milk mixture aside.
  • In a third separate bowl combine panko, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder together. Set breadcrumb mixture aside.
  • Rinse the calamari with cold water.
  • Then pat the calamari rings dry with a paper towel before dipping to remove excess water.
  • Dip calamari rings in flour (shake off excess flour), then into the egg mixture, and finally in the seasoned panko mixture.
  • Place the calamari rings in a single layer into the air fryer basket. Place extra rings on a baking sheet if working in batches.
  • Spray tops of rings with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Air fry at 400 degrees F for 4 minutes. Flip rings at this point in the cooking process then spray tops with olive oil cooking spray. Continue to air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and have crispy calamari.
  • If using frozen calamari rings, you may need to add 2-4 minutes of additional cook time. Do not overcook or you will get tough calamari.
  • Place calamari on a wire rack so they remain crispy.  Add a sprinkle of salt and black pepper as soon as they are removed from the air fryer.

Notes

Optional Favorite Dipping Sauce: Cocktail sauce, marinara sauce, tartar sauce, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, garlic aioli, bechamel sauce or homemade lemon garlic aioli. 
Optional Additional Toppings: Lemon wedges, chopped parsley, grated parmesan cheese or fresh lemon juice.Kitchen Tips: You will find fresh or frozen calamari in most local grocery stores.
Substitutions: Use parchment paper for easier clean up. Avocado oil spray instead of olive oil. Use cassava flour or tapioca flour instead of all-purpose flour. Swap out milk for one cup buttermilk.

Nutrition

Calories: 322kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 313mg, Sodium: 878mg, Potassium: 415mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 160IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 128mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Jen Gamble

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