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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Frozen Calamari

    Published by: Adina June 9, 2022 ยท Last modified: February 7, 2025 Leave a comment
    Jump to Recipe

    Try these crispy fried air fryer frozen calamari; they're a delicious snack ready in about 10 minutes. Serve them with your favorite dip.

    close up of a golden fried calamari ring.

    Learn how to cook frozen calamari in the air fryer; itโ€™s super-fast and easy, a one-ingredient recipe for a great snack or light meal. Well, this cannot really be called a recipe; itโ€™s just a technique, something worth knowing if you happen to love fried calamari just as much as we do.

    And if you are looking for more quick snacks, check out the Simple Fried Gnocchi and the Hot Lemon Pepper Wings.

    Ingredients: 1

    Preparation time: 1 minute

    Cooking time: 8 minutes

    Jump to:
    • Advantages of using the air fryer
    • Recipe ingredients
    • How to make air fryer frozen calamari?
    • Recipe tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • How to serve them?
    • Bonus dipping sauce recipe
    • More Air Fryer Recipes
    • ๐Ÿ“– Recipe
    • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Comments

    Advantages of using the air fryer

    No deep-frying: And thatโ€™s the best! I avoid deep-frying anything; itโ€™s not just about the calories but also the mess, the lingering smell, and the costs of using so much oil.

    Healthier: Not frying the breaded calamari also means that they are better for you.

    Cooking from frozen: Thereโ€™s no need to defrost the food; just place the frozen calamari in the air fryer and cook them.

    Super quick:ย  10 minutes is all the time you need.

    Recipe ingredients

    frozen calamari rings on a cutting board.

    An air fryer and the breaded frozen calamari.

    I can fit the contents of a 10.5 oz (300 g) bag of rings into the basket of my kitchen gadget, about 15-16 pieces. They should not overlap, but if the last 2-3 pieces overlap a bit, donโ€™t stress; everything will work out fine.

    A dipping sauce of choice: See the bonus recipe below or check out Best Dipping Sauces for Calamari.

    See the recipe card for detailed instructions and full information on ingredients and quantities.

    How to make air fryer frozen calamari?

    Preheat the machine according to its instructions; the one I have needs to be preheated for 3 minutes to 370ยฐF (190ยฐF).

    frozen breaded calamari rings in an air fryer before and after cooking, two images.

    Step #1: Place the frozen calamari into the basket in a single layer. If the last 2 or 3 are overlapping slightly is fine.

    Step #2: Cook for 5 minutes, flip the pieces (with tongs or two forks), and cook for another 3 minutes.

    Recipe tips

    Thereโ€™s no need to oil the basket or spray the rings with cooking oil; the breading already contains fat, so the calamari will be as crispy as possible.

    The cooking time depends on the machine you are using and the size of the rings; those I have are standard, I suppose, not particularly large or thick. A piece weighs between 0.5-0.7 oz (15-20 g).

    Recipe FAQs

    How to check if the calamari rings are cooked through?

    The internal temperature should be 165ยฐF (74ยฐC), but that isnโ€™t easy to measure correctly when the pieces are thin. Instead, cut one piece; you will be able to tell if itโ€™s cooked through or not.
    If you are unsure, give them another minute, but donโ€™t overcook them, or they will be rubbery.

    Can I cook unbreaded calamari the same way?

    Yes, but the cooking time will vary slightly; check after 6-7 minutes already.

    How to store and reheat cooked calamari?

    Breaded air-fried calamari rings are best when served immediately.
    Leftovers can be refrigerated for about 2 days in an airtight container, but they will not be crispy anymore.
    You can reheat them for a couple of minutes in the air fryer to make them warm and slightly crispy again.

    black plate with a pile of fried calamari rings and lemon slices.

    How to serve them?

    As a snack with a nice dip. I love them with a Greek yogurt and herb dip, sweet chili sauce, or aioli. My kids are happy to eat the air fryer frozen calamari with plain ketchup.

    Serve them on top of green salad drizzled with vinaigrette or a creamy dressing.

    Bonus dipping sauce recipe

    Mix 1 cup Greek yogurt with 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint.

    Season to taste with salt, pepper, and maybe a tiny pinch of sugar (only needed if the yogurt is low-fat). For a different taste, substitute the mint with fresh dill.

    You can add a small piece of super finely chopped or grated cucumber or 1-2 chopped or grated sweet-sour pickled cucumbers.

    breaded air fryer frozen calamari rings served with a bowl of yogurt dip.

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    Hungry for More Fast Recipes?

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    Give my quick recipes a try for your next family meal! Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance!

    ๐Ÿ“– Recipe

    air fryer frozen calamari rings served with yogurt mint dip.

    Air Fryer Frozen Calamari

    Crispy fried air fryer calamari, a delicious snack ready in about 10 minutes. Serve them with your favorite dip. Air fryer
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 1 minute minute
    Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 350kcal
    Author: Adina
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients 
     

    • 10.5 oz frozen calamari rings breaded, Note

    Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer according to its instructions; my air fryer needs to be preheated for 3 minutes to 370ยฐF (190ยฐC).
    • Place the frozen calamari into the basket in a single layer. If the last 2 or 3 are overlapping slightly is fine.
      10.5 oz frozen calamari rings
    • Air fry frozen calamari for 5 minutes, flip the pieces, and cook for another 3 minutes.
    • Serve immediately with your favorite dip.

    Notes

    If you want to cook more frozen calamari, you should do it in two batches, they should not overlap too much, and the hot air should be able to circulate. This will ensure that they are crispy.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/2 of the recipe | Calories: 350kcal
    Tried this recipe? Pin it today!Mention @thefastrecipe or tag #thefastrecipe!

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    Adina Beck the recipe writer, creator, and photographer behind The Fast Recipe Food Blog.

    Hi, I'm Adina! I am a foodie, creator, writer, and photographer, creating and photographing recipes for my blogs and clients.

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