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This calamari is perfectly crispy, and like eating a restaurant-quality dish at home! This version is gluten-free and made in an air fryer.

A plate of calamari with dipping sauce.

What is Calamari?

Calamari is the Italian word for squid! Though squid can be prepared in many different ways, it’s very commonly breaded and fried and served as an appetizer or side.

This recipe for calamari is my take on the classic appetizer but made with a gluten-free breading and in the air fryer instead of a fryer or shallow pan fry. It’s perfect for sharing with those with food intolerances, of just keeping it a bit easier and lighter!

What does calamari taste like?

Calamari has a lightly sweet, and mild flavor similar to white fish. Calamari shouldn’t be rubbery (when cooked properly) but it should be tender, and let the breading shine!

Why you’ll love this homemade calamari

  • It will impress guests! It seems very fancy, but is easy to make! Make for guests coming over or enjoy yourself!
  • It’s a lighter take on the classic! Calamari is usually made in a fryer, but this recipe uses a gluten-free breading and air fryer for less oil!

The Ingredients for making gluten-free calamari

  • Water, Salt, and Baking Soda. This makes the brine which is key to tenderizing the calamari.
  • Calamari. I tend to stick with just the tubes when I make calamari, but the tentacle pieces will also work for this recipe.
  • Gluten-Free Flour. I like using this one!
  • Arrowroot Starch.
  • Italian Seasoning.
  • Egg. If you want to try this egg-free, the best alternative to try first is full-fat coconut milk. This has a high fat content and is good at helping breading stick!
  • Avocado Oil Spray. Spraying the calamari with avocado oil helps it get extra crispy in the air fryer.
  • Chopped Parsley. For topping!

How to make Crispy Calamari in the Air Fryer

  • Step One. Make the brine and the calamari and toss. Set in the fridge for 20-25 minutes. Strain the water and pat dry.

The uncooked calamari before and after preparing to cook.

  • Step Two. Make the breading and whisk the egg.
  • Step Three. Working with one piece at a time, dip the calamari into the egg to coat, and let the excess egg drip off. Place the calamari in the flour mixture and dredge to coat. Add to the base of the air fryer basket. Repeat for all of the calamari.

The steps of coating the calamari in egg and breading

  • Step Four. Spray the calamari with avocado oil spray on both sides and cook in air fryer.
  • Step Five. Serve topped with parsley and with a side of marinara sauce and lemon wedges.

Tips & Tricks

  • Don’t skip tenderizing the calamari. This is what helps to keep the texture perfect!
  • You can use tubes or tentacles. I tend to stick with just the tubes when I make calamari, but the tentacle pieces will also work for this recipe.

Is Calamari healthy?

Healthy is always a subjective term, but considering that this version is made with less oil in an air fryer, we’d call this a lighter alternative.

What’s the secret to tender calamari?

The real secret to tender calamari is a quick marinade in milk! This helps to break it down a bit so you don’t get rubbery calamari. All you need is 30 minutes or so in the fridge to prep it.

How do you tenderize calamari without milk?

So, what do you do if you’re dairy free but still want to tenderize your calamari? I like to marinate mine in a mixture of water and baking soda. Like dairy, baking soda is a base, so it has a similar effect on the calamari while keeping it dairy free for those who need it.

What do you serve with calamari?

  • Serve it as an appetizer. Calamari is the perfect appetizer for an Italian main dish like pasta, or pizza!
  • Serve it with a side of sauce and lemon.

A plate of calamari after cooking and dipping into sauce.

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Perfect Crispy Calamari {gluten free | air fryer }

  • Author: Michelle
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the brine

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

For the calamari

  • 1/2 lb calamari, sliced into rings
  • 1/3 cup gluten-free flour
  • 3 tbsp arrowroot starch
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 egg, whisked (see notes for egg-free)
  • Avocado oil spray
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 F.
  2. Using a small bowl, whisk the ingredients for the brine together. Add the calamari and toss. Set in the fridge for 20-25 minutes. Strain the water and pat dry.
  3. Prepare the breading by combining the flour, arrowroot starch and Italian seasoning in one bowl. In another bowl, add the whisked egg.
  4. Working with one piece at a time, dip the calamari into the egg to coat, and let the excess egg drip off. Place the calamari in the flour mixture and dredge to coat. Add to the base of the air fryer basket. Repeat for all of the calamari.
  5. Spray the calamari well with avocado oil spray (about 2-3 tsp worth) on both sides. Transfer to the preheated air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes, tossing halfway through, until you calamari is crisped to your liking.
  6. Remove from the air fryer basket and serve topped with parsley and with a side of marinara sauce and lemon wedges.

Notes

Though I haven’t tried this recipe egg-free, the best alternative that I would try first is full-fat coconut milk. This has a high fat content and is good at helping breading stick!

  • Method: air fryer

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 168
  • Fat: 5.6g
  • Carbohydrates: 17.7g
  • Fiber: .9g
  • Protein: 11.2g