Oven Baked Calamari Recipe

This baked calamari recipe is a lightened up version of the ever-popular fried calamari, but it’s just as delicious! It might seem fancy, but this recipe is actually really easy to make using frozen squid rings. The result is crispy and crunchy, and works well as a weeknight dinner or a game day appetizer. And kids actually love it (just don’t tell them that it’s squid until they are hooked!)

This crispy, crunchy baked calamari is so delicious, no one will care that it isn’t fried!

This post was first published February 2013. Last updated January 2019.

You may be thinking to yourself that squid is not really a family-friendly food. I thought that in the past as well! Prior to this recipe, I had not really been able to get my kids to eat squid. Depending on how it is cooked, it can have a texture that some kids will not like.

But, when you bake up these calamari rings, your kids will eat them up and then ask for more!

Maybe because they look a little like onion rings, my kids did not hesitate to try them (the first hurdle in introducing a new food). They are crispy and crunchy and have just the right amount of spice to make them flavorful but not overpowering.

The calamari rings are flavorful enough to serve as they are, or alongside marinara for dipping!

Squid offers a lot of nutritional value, and is one of the safest types of seafood in terms of mercury content. Squid provides essential nutrients like phosphorous (which aids in calcium absorption), zinc, copper, selenium (an antioxidant), calcium, niacin (important for metabolism), vitamin B12 (important for red blood cell production and supporting the nervous system), and vitamin C.

Plus it is low in calories and high in protein!

Steps for making this baked calamari recipe

Step 1. Prepare the bowls 

You need three separate bowls, since you will be dipping each ring three times: first in a flour mixture, then in beaten eggs, then in a cornmeal/Panko mixture. 

Prepare 3 separate bowls before starting the dipping process for the squid rings

Step 2. Coat the calamari rings

It’s a little messy, but the process is worth it! I started out dipping each ring individually, but soon realized it was quicker to do about 5 at a time. If your kids are OK with the idea of eating squid, have them wash their hands and get them involved with the process of coating the calamari rings. It can actually be pretty fun!

Each ring gets dipped in the flour mixture, then the egg, then the cornmeal mixture.

Step 3. Place the squid rings on a baking sheet

I used a sheet of parchment paper for easier cleanup, but that’s totally optional. Position the rings on a baking sheet in a single layer, and then lightly mist with cooking spray before placing in the oven. In 15 more minutes, you will have fabulous calamari rings to enjoy!

After dipping the calamari in the flour, egg, and cornmeal, place them on a baking sheet.

Tips for this calamari recipe

1. I recommend using frozen calamari rings. They easily keep in the freezer so you don’t have to worry about cooking them within a certain time period before they spoil.
2. If you prefer to use fresh seafood, go for it! See this Calamari 101 article for more information on handling fresh squid.
3. If you use frozen squid rings, you need to thaw them first. Microwaving them is not recommended. The best way to thaw them quickly is to place them in a sealed plastic bag and submerge them in cool water. Work the bag gently with your hands from time to time to separate the frozen rings and help them to defrost.
4. Calamari cooks quickly, and it gets tough and rubbery when overcooked, so make sure to test your rings once you get to the 15 minute mark.
5. You can customize the amount of flavor in this recipe by adjusting the spices. My family likes Old Bay spice a lot, so I tend to throw in an extra teaspoon or two. Try it out and take notes so you can remember to make changes for the next time!
6. Serve with lemon for squeezing over the rings, or marinara for dipping.

This calamari recipe is great because it combines finger-food fun and crunchiness without adding a ton of fat and calories that you get with frying. And it can be used as an entree or as an appetizer.

One thing to mention is that, while this is an EASY recipe, the prep does take a little bit of time just because of the coating process for the rings. But, it’s totally worth it, and it cooks up fast so you still can get the meal on the table pretty quickly!

These gorgeous squid rings taste as good as they look!

Crispy Baked Calamari Recipe

Serve with lemon wedges and/or marinara for dipping. If using this as an entree, it works well alongside pasta, or a side salad, or both. 

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! Enjoy!

Baked Calamari Recipe

Print Recipe

Recipe Author: Kristin

This baked calamari recipe results in a lightened up version of the ever-popular fried calamari, and it's just as crunchy and delicious! 

CourseEntree

CuisineAmerican

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time35 mins

Servings4

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/2 pounds squid rings (thawed from frozen is fine)
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons Old Bay spice
• Cooking spray

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
• In a separate bowl, beat eggs thoroughly.
• In a third bowl, combine bread crumbs, cornmeal, and Old Bay seasoning.
• First coat each squid ring with the flour mixture, then dip in the eggs, then coat with the crumb/cornmeal mixture.
• Place rings on the baking sheet.
• Mist the rings with cooking spray, then bake for 10 minutes.
• Turn over the rings, then bake for another 5-10 minutes. You don't want to overbake them, so begin to taste test them after 5 minutes and remove when ready but before they become tough.

Video

Notes

• I always use frozen calamari rings. It's so easy to keep them in the freezer to pull out anytime we want to make this recipe. But fresh will work just as well!
• Frozen squid rings should be thawed before the coating process. The best way to thaw them is to place them in a sealed plastic bag and submerge them in cool water. Work the bag gently with your hands from time to time to separate the frozen rings and help them to defrost.
• Feel free to customize! I always use extra Old Bay seasoning because my family really loves it.
• Serve with marinara and/or lemon wedges.

Nutrition

Calories: 530kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 519mg | Sodium: 669mg | Potassium: 654mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 4.7% | Vitamin C: 9.7% | Calcium: 10.5% | Iron: 28.3%

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Looking for some additional calamari recipes?

You could try this 15-Minute Calamari Recipe with Champagne and Garlic-Lime Dill Sauce, it sounds delicious! Or how about this Pan-Seared Squid with Lemony Aioli and Greens? Yum!

Do your kids eat seafood? Do you think they would try this baked calamari recipe? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

 

 

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