Crispy Gluten-Free Calamari (Dairy-Free)

Indulge in these crispy gluten-free calamari as a tasty appetizer or savory snack with your favorite dipping sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this fried calamari recipe is totally dairy-free too! Go make a batch today!

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Calamari – A Delicious Savory Snack

If you enjoy seafood, and especially squid, then this crispy calamari recipe is definitely for you!

Squid rings coated with flour, egg and panko breadcrumbs, then fried in oil until you get the beautiful crispy texture and golden brown color…YUM!

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients required for making this gluten-free fried calamari are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Easy to Make: Preparing this savory recipe is a matter of bring calamari tubes and frying them until golden brown and crispy. Ready in just 30 minutes, you can enjoy this delicious snack in almost no time at all!
• Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy them without issues.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this gluten-free calamari recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Calamari: You can use either fresh or frozen calamari tubes. Just make sure to pat the calamari dry before breading them.
• Seasoning: I used salt and garlic powder to season these calamari rings, but you can use whichever condiments you prefer (such as onion powder, ground paprika, ground black pepper, Italian seasoning etc).
• Egg: The egg is necessary to bind the breading ingredients together, so make sure you add it in.
• Gluten-Free Flour: I recommend using a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour that is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch). I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free flour blend that is made up of heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour). If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use regular all-purpose flour instead.
• Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the replacement for gluten in gluten-free flours, so if your gluten-free flour does not already include xanthan gum, make sure to add it in.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: I used gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten-free. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use regular panko breadcrumbs instead.
• Oil: I used sunflower oil because I always have a bottle of sunflower oil on hand. However, feel free to use whichever vegetable oil you prefer.

How to Make Gluten-Free Calamari (Step by Step):

1. Pat Calamari Dry

Use paper towels to pat the calamari tubes dry and place them in a bowl.

2. Coat with Flour

Mix gluten-free all-purpose flour with salt and garlic powder, then coat each ring evenly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.

3. Dip in Egg

In a medium bowl, beat the egg and mix in a pinch of salt. Dip each flour-coated calamari tube in the egg mixture.

4. Coat in Breadcrumbs

Dredge each calamari tube in gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, ensuring they are fully coated.

5. Fry Until Crispy

Heat about 1 inch of frying oil in a skillet.

Carefully place the calamari rings in a single layer in the hot oil and fry on medium heat for 3-4 minutes, flipping once, until the breadcrumbs turn golden brown and crispy.

6. Absorb Excess Oil

Once done cooking, remove the crispy fried calamari rings with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

7. Serve and Enjoy

Serve the gluten free fried calamari with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and your favorite dipping sauce.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Optional Seasonings: Feel free to add other seasonings such as onion powder, ground paprika, ground black pepper, Italian seasoning, etc.
• Dips to Serve This With: Some of our favorite dipping sauces that would go great with calamari are marinara sauce, sriracha aioli, garlic aioli, or this copycat Raising Cane’s sauce.

Other Gluten-Free Seafood Recipes to Love:

• Gluten-Free Crab Cakes (Dairy-Free)
• Gluten-Free Coconut Shrimp (Dairy-Free)
• Gluten-Free Bang Bang Shrimp (Dairy-Free)
• Salt and Pepper Shrimp (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Gluten-Free Snacks/Appetizers You’ll Enjoy:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Crispy Gluten-Free Calamari (Dairy-Free)

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

• Author: Felicia Lim
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Indulge in these crispy gluten-free calamari as a tasty appetizer or savory snack with your favorite dipping sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this fried calamari recipe is totally dairy-free too! Go make a batch today!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1/2 pound sliced raw calamari tubes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your gluten-free flour already includes it)
• 1 cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup oil, for frying

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Instructions

1. Pat Calamari Dry: Use paper towels to pat the calamari tubes dry and place them in a bowl.
2. Coat with Flour: Mix gluten-free all-purpose flour with salt and garlic powder, then coat each ring evenly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.
3. Dip in Egg: In a medium bowl, beat the egg and mix in a pinch of salt. Dip each flour-coated calamari tube in the egg mixture.
4. Coat in Breadcrumbs: Dredge each calamari ring in gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, ensuring they are fully coated.
5. Fry Calamari: Heat about 1 inch of frying oil in a skillet. Carefully place the calamari rings into the oil and fry on medium heat for 3-4 minutes, flipping once, until the breadcrumbs turn golden brown and crispy.
6. Absorb Excess Oil: Remove the crispy fried calamari rings and place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the gluten-free fried calamari with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

Calamari: You can use either fresh or frozen calamari tubes. Just make sure to pat the calamari dry before breading them.

Seasoning: I used salt and garlic powder to season these calamari rings, but you can use whichever condiments you prefer (such as onion powder, ground paprika, ground black pepper, Italian seasoning etc).

Egg: The egg is necessary to bind the breading ingredients together, so make sure you add it in.

Gluten-Free Flour: I recommend using a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour that is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch). I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free flour blend that is made up of heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour). If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use regular all-purpose flour instead.

Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the replacement for gluten in gluten-free flours, so if your gluten-free flour does not already include xanthan gum, make sure to add it in.

Panko Breadcrumbs: I used gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten-free. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use regular panko breadcrumbs instead.

Oil: I used sunflower oil because I always have a bottle of sunflower oil on hand. However, feel free to use whichever vegetable oil you prefer.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Category: Snacks
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Western