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Crispy Air Fryer Calamari Recipe

Crispy Air Fryer Calamari Recipe

4 from 4 votes
Enjoy restaurant-quality crispy calamari at home with this easy air fryer recipe. Light, golden, and perfectly tender, these squid rings are ready in under 30 minutes—no deep frying required!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb cleaned squid rings and tentacles thawed if frozen
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 0.5 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for spraying
For Serving
  • lemon wedges
  • marinara sauce or aioli optional

Method
 

Steps
  1. Pat the squid rings and tentacles completely dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
  2. In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  3. In another bowl, beat the egg and mix in the milk.
  4. Dredge each squid piece first in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg wash, and coat again in the flour mixture. Shake off excess.
  5. Place the coated calamari in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with olive oil.
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
  7. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

For extra crunch, let the coated calamari rest for 5–10 minutes before air frying. Avoid overcooking to keep the squid tender. If using larger squid rings, increase cook time by 2–3 minutes.