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Fried Calamari with Marinara Recipe

Italian-American · Appetizer · 30 min total

Crispy, tender fried calamari rings served with a quick homemade marinara sauce for dipping. A classic Italian-American appetizer that's easy to make at home.

Ingredients

• 1 lb cleaned calamari (squid), bodies sliced into 1/2-inch rings, tentacles left whole
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 cup marinara sauce, for serving
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Pat calamari dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
2. In another shallow dish, beat eggs with milk.
3. Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep pot to 375°F (190°C).
4. Working in batches, dip calamari into egg mixture, then dredge in flour mixture, shaking off excess.
5. Fry calamari in hot oil for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Do not overcrowd. Drain on paper towels.
6. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce and lemon wedges.

Tips

• For extra crispy calamari, let the coated pieces rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes before frying.
• Do not overcook; calamari becomes tough if fried too long.
• Leftover fried calamari can be reheated in a 400°F oven for 5 minutes to restore crispness.

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