Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
white oval tray of air fried calamari with lemon wedges and marinara dip.

Air Fryer Calamari

Amanda
This crispy air fryer calamari is the best side dish or appetizer. Soaked in buttermilk and then breaded in seasoned panko breadcrumbs, this tasty fried calamari is a lightened up version without all of the oil!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Course Appetizer, Side Dishes
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 304 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound calamari tubes and tentacles
  • 1 pint buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons whole milk
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups plain panko bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon old bay seasoning
  • avocado oil or olive oil spray
  • old school italian gravy or marinara for dipping
  • lemon wedges for serving

Instructions
 

  • Slice calamari tubes into half inch slices and place them on a sheet pan lined with paper towels with the tentacles. Pat the calamari with paper towels to remove as much excess moisture.
  • Add calamari to a bowl with the buttermilk and toss to combine. Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour to marinate.
  • In a shallow dish or bowl, combine the flour, salt and pepper and stir to combine.
  • In a second shallow dish or bowl, whisk together the egg and milk until well combined.
  • In a third shallow dish or bowl, mix together the panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder and old bay seasoning.
  • When the calamari is done marinating, remove it from the refrigerator and set up the flour, egg mixture and bread crumbs in a line to get ready for breading. Set up a sheet pan lined with parchment paper to place the breaded calamari.
  • Working in small batches, remove the calamari from buttermilk, allowing the excess liquid to drip from it and add it to the flour mixture, tossing it to coat.
  • Remove the calamari from the flour mixture, shaking to remove excess flour and add it to the egg mixture, tossing it to coat.
  • Take the calamari from the egg mixture, letting the excess egg drip from it and place it in the bread crumbs, tossing it to coat.
  • Place breaded calamari pieces on the sheet pan and repeat until all of the pieces are breaded.
  • When all of the calamari is breaded, spray the basket of the air fryer with avocado or olive oil spray. Place a small batch of the calamari in the basket in an even layer, being careful not to over crowd the basket.
  • Spray the top of the calamari with oil spray. Close and cook at 400˚ for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining calamari until it all has been air fried.
  • Serve crispy air fried calamari with old school italian gravy or marinara for dipping and lemon wedges, if desired.

Notes

  • Use tongs for each breading step to move the calamari so that the breading mixture doesn't clump on your hands or the calamari.
  • Make sure you shake off the excess milk, flour, egg or bread crumbs before moving to the next step so the breading doesn't get too heavy and fall off.
  • Make sure to spray the basket as well as the calamari to help prevent sticking and provide even browning to the calamari.
  • Work in small batches when frying, so the basket isn't overcrowded and the calamari is in an even layer. If there is too much loaded in the air fryer, the pieces won't fry evenly.
  • Air fryers come in different sizes, so timing of how long it takes to cook all of the calamari may vary.
 

Substitutions and Variations

  • Calamari - Fresh or frozen calamari can be used, but frozen should be thawed completely. 
  • Buttermilk - Whole milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice can be substituted.
  • Bread Crumbs - Plain bread crumbs may used, but may yield a heavier coating.
  • Oil Sprayer - Oil spray as opposed to straight oil, works best for air frying to provide a light even coating to both the basket and food. Avocado, grapeseed, olive, canola or vegetable oil sprayers will also work.
  • Gluten Free - Use gluten free panko bread crumbs and cup for cup gluten free flour.
  • No Egg - Dip floured calamari in buttermilk again and then in bread crumbs.
  • Dairy Free - Use unsweetened dairy free milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice.
 

Alternative Cooking Methods

Deep Fried - This calamari can be deep fried instead. Heat vegetable or canola oil in a pot to 350˚ and then fry the calamari in batches for 1-2 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Oven - To bake this calamari in the oven, place the breaded calamari on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and spray generously with the oil spray. Bake at 425˚ for 10-15 minutes until browned and cooked through.
 

Storage Suggestions

This calamari will keep in an air tight container for 2-3 days and can be re-crisped up in the air fryer or under the broiler in the oven.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 3ouncesCalories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 22gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 247mgSodium: 483mgPotassium: 397mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 262IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 176mgIron: 3mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Mention @scarlatifamilykitchen or tag #scarlatifamilykitchen!