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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Italian Fried Calamari (Calamari Fritti)

    By Lily・Published: Aug 2, 2022・Updated: Jun 6, 2025・Post may have affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This 15-minute Italian fried calamari is the best fried calamari recipe ever. It's a simple appetizer using only a few ingredients: fresh squid, flour, olive oil, and fresh garlic cloves.

    Italian calamari fritti with lemon wedges

    Authentic calamari fritti doesn't traditionally marinate the squid in garlic paste, so it's optional. I highly recommend crushed garlic, especially if you are a garlic lover!

    Traditional Italian calamari is known to be same-day fresh, especially if you are living in a cute Italian coastal town. This is why traditional fried calamari recipes use literally flour, olive oil, and fresh squid.

    Calamari

    Fried squid can get rubbery if prepared the wrong way. I love that this recipe uses fresh calamari and a simple method for the perfect fried calamari recipe. This is an excellent appetizer for a seafood dinner, like this Mediterranean roasted red snapper or these steamed lobster tails.

    Ingredient Notes

    ingredients to make homemade fried calamari

    Fresh squid: I recommend buying fresh (not previously frozen) whole squid for the best fried calamari.

    Crushed garlic: Mash fresh garlic cloves into a paste using a mortar and pestle. Alternatively use a garlic press to crush the garlic. Crushed or mashed garlic is a paste and different from minced garlic.

    How To Make Italian Fried Calamari

    Clean the fresh whole squid. Cut the squid into squid rings. Mash fresh garlic cloves into a paste using a mortar and pestle.

    adding crushed garlic to the calamari rings

    In a large bowl, add some flour. Dredge the squid in flour, dusting off the excess flour.

    dredging the calamari in flour

    Important! Don't add salt to the flour. Salt is added at the end once the calamari is fried.

    calamari dredged in flour right before frying

    Coat all of the squid pieces in flour. Heat the oil in a wide stovetop frying pan. Make sure there is enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Test the oil by adding a piece of bread. The oil is hot enough when bubbles form around the bread.

    frying the calamari in olive oil

    Add the squid to the hot oil in small batches forming a single layer. Flip the squid using tongs once they turn golden brown (about 2 to 3 minutes on each side). Move the crispy fried calamari to a plate lined with paper towels using a slotted spoon.

    Taste the calamari and add a pinch of salt as needed. Serve this crispy Italian fried calamari with some lemon wedges!

    fried Calamari with lemon on a plate

    Tips and Tricks

    • Get fresh squid. I recommend buying fresh whole squid and cleaning and prepping the squid at home. It takes about 5 minutes to clean and cut the squid. Fresh squid is tender and flavorful. My local grocery store has fresh squid, but you can also check a local fish market. Fresh is key!
    • Use olive oil. In some regions (like Italy), people fry in olive oil. Olive oil has a delicious flavor that makes this calamari fritti recipe next level!
    • Don't overheat the olive oil. Olive oil has a lower smoke point than other frying oils, so it's important not to heat it too hot. I usually start with the olive oil on high heat, then turn it down to medium heat for the second batch of squid.
    • Add the squid to hot oil. The calamari will get overly greasy and not crisp if the oil is not hot.
    • Squeeze fresh lemon juice right before eating.
    • Completely thaw frozen squid before coating it with flour and frying.
    • Use paper towels to drain the excess oil.
    fried Italian calamari with lemon wedges

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Restaurants in the U.S. normally serve fried calamari with a side of marina sauce. It's optional but not required to have a dipping sauce.
    • Use bread crumbs in place of flour.
    • Use a high-temperature frying oil like vegetable oil instead of olive oil.
    squeezing lemon on top of olive oil fried calamari

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    📋 Recipe

    homemade fried calamari using fresh squid

    Italian Fried Calamari (Calamari Fritti)

    Author: Lily
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep: 10 minutes mins
    Cook: 5 minutes mins
    Total: 15 minutes mins
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate Email
    Servings 4
    This 15-minute Italian fried calamari recipe is the perfect appetizer using whole fresh squid, olive oil, flour, and crushed garlic.

    Ingredients
     
    US Customary - Metric

    • 1 lb of whole squid about 3 medium-sized squid
    • 1 cup olive oil or frying oil
    • 1 cup of flour
    • 3 cloves of garlic mashed
    • 1 lemon
    • pinch salt

    Instructions

    • Clean the whole fresh squid. Cut the squid into rings.
    • Mash the garlic into a paste with a mortar and pestle. Mix the garlic paste and the squid.
    • Add the flour to a bowl. Don't add salt! Drop the squid pieces into the flour. Dust off excess flour. Set aside. 
    • Heat the olive oil in a wide stovetop pot. Using a small piece of bread, test that the oil is hot enough. Important! You want to ensure that when the bread is added to the oil, it bubbles. 
    • Add enough calamari to fill a single layer in the pot. Flip the calamari once it forms a golden crust. Using a frying spatula, scoop the fried calamari onto a paper towel lined plate. Repeat until all of the calamari is fried.
    • Try the fried calamari and add a pinch of salt. Serve with lemon wedges.

    Equipment

    mortar and pestle.
    Mortar and Pestle
    frying pan.
    Frying Pan

    Notes

    1. Storage: I do not recommend freezing this Italian fried calamari. You can marinate the squid in the garlic paste for a few hours in the fridge before cooking it. I recommend using fresh seafood straight away for the best results.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 /2 cup | Calories: 261 kcal | Carbohydrates: 9 g | Protein: 20 g | Fat: 16 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14 g | Trans Fat: 0 g | Cholesterol: 295 mg | Sodium: 57 mg | Fiber: 0 g | Sugar: 0 g

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    About Lily

    Howdy! My name is Lilian, but my friends call me Lily. I'm the founder and one of the recipe authors here at The Matbakh. I enjoy sunsets, long walks to the fridge, meaningful relationships, and anything related to food. I'm so happy you are here!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 11 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jane

      October 12, 2023 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      My husband came back from squidding last night and caught so many. Found this recipe and made it. I did add to the batter some fresh parsley and chili flakes. I'm thinking I want to experiment a little more with other flavours, what else should I try?

      Reply
    2. Anitra

      October 11, 2023 at 11:47 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious, quick and easy directions! They were light and golden crisp. The platter was cleared in in minutes! Next time I'll double the recipe.

      Reply
      • Lily

        October 12, 2023 at 10:39 am

        Hi Anitra, thank you so much for the comment!! Anytime I make this recipe, it's gone in minutes.

        Reply
    3. Andrea

      May 13, 2023 at 12:44 pm

      5 stars
      This reminds me of the fantastic calamari I used to get at my favorite restaurant. I am looking forward to trying this recipe ASAP!

      Reply
      • Lily

        May 14, 2023 at 1:38 pm

        It's quick and easy, thanks for the comment.

        Reply
    4. Ali

      May 13, 2023 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness I LOVE calamari… and this recipe only takes 15 minutes to make?? This might be my new favorite homemade appetizer!

      Reply
      • Lily

        May 13, 2023 at 11:02 am

        Thanks Ali, yes it's super quick!

        Reply
    5. Carrie Robinson

      March 11, 2023 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      I just love some good fried calamari! 🙂 This recipe looks so perfectly crispy and golden brown.

      Reply
      • Lily

        March 14, 2023 at 1:37 pm

        Thank you Carrie!

        Reply
    6. Tara

      February 23, 2023 at 12:48 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! You had me at 15 minutes! Such a fantastic and flavorful appetizer. It looks so good.

      Reply
      • Lily

        February 24, 2023 at 1:37 pm

        Thanks!

        Reply
    7. Erik

      November 13, 2022 at 9:08 am

      5 stars
      Such a treat. Wonderful way to expand the seafood menu for weekly dinners.

      Reply
    8. Felicia

      October 06, 2022 at 1:32 pm

      5 stars
      This is my first time trying to fry calamari in olive oil, and I was pleasantly surprised with how much better it tastes.

      Reply
      • Lily

        October 06, 2022 at 1:35 pm

        Olive oil and fresh calamari are the secret! Thanks for the comment!

        Reply

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    lily at the matbakh

    I'm Lily

    I'm an American Lebanese living in Texas. My kitchen, or matbakh, is a hodgepodge of recipes from the U.S. and Mediterranean region.

    ABOUT ME

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