Air Fryer Calamari

Air Fryer Calamari is tender, crunchy, with a perfectly seasoned homemade breading and the most delicious homemade Lemon Dill dipping sauce. And is ready in under 30 minutes!

Course Air Fryer

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer, appetizer, calamari

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 6

Servings

Calories 495kcal

Author Wendie Williams

Equipment

1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

10 ounces calamari rings
Non stick cooking spray

Lemon Dill Sauce

1 cup mayonnaise
2 cloves garlic finely minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill

For The Wet Batter

1 large egg
½ cup water
½ cup all purpose flour

For the Breading

1 cup bread crumbs
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
lemon wedges

Instructions

Thaw the calamari according to the package instructions. Once thawed pat dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice and dill until combined. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
In a shallow bowl whisk the egg and water together, then add in the flour and mix until a thick batter forms.
In another shallow bowl add the bread crumbs, panko, salt, paprika, onion and garlic powder and Italian seasoning until combined.
Place some calamari rings into the wet batter and toss until coated. Allow excess to drip off and place the calamari into the breading mixture and toss until coated and place on a baking sheet. Repeat until all of the calamari is coated.
Preheat the air fryer on 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
Place a layer of calamari rings into the basket, give the tops of the rings a quick spray. Fry for 4 minutes then flip the rings and give another quick sprits with spray and fry another 1-2 minutes. Remove to a platter and repeat until done.
Serve with lemon dill sauce and extra lemon wedges.

Notes

Calamari comes in different sizes if they are large rings you may have to add an additional minute or two to the cooking time. See above in Faq’s for more info

Store leftover calamari in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in a preheated air fryer for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.

To pan fry

Heat a skillet with about 1 inch of oil to 375 degrees. Add the breaded calamari into the skillet and fry 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and place on a paper towel to drain.

Nutrition