A crispy, flavorful appetizer perfect for seafood lovers! 🦑✨
Ingredients:
For the Calamari:
- 1 lb fresh calamari, cleaned and sliced into rings
- 1 cup buttermilk (for tenderizing)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Dipping Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Calamari: Rinse the calamari rings under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Soak in buttermilk for 30 minutes (optional but makes them more tender).
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep pan or fryer and heat to 350°F (175°C).
- Coat the Calamari: Remove calamari from the buttermilk, let excess drip off, and toss in the flour mixture until evenly coated.
- Fry Until Golden: Fry in batches for about 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Drain & Serve: Remove from oil, drain on paper towels, and sprinkle with a little extra salt.
- Prepare the Dipping Sauce: Mix all dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl and serve with the fried calamari.
Serving Suggestions:
- Garnish with fresh lemon wedges 🍋
- Serve with marinara sauce or garlic aioli for variety
Enjoy your Golden Fried Calamari—crispy, light, and absolutely delicious! 😋🔥
