Any time we go out to eat, particularly at Italian restaurants, I always end up with calamari for an appetizer. There’s just something perfect about those salty, crunchy rings! Instead of shelling out for a night out, though, I’ve swapped to frozen calamari in the air fryer instead.
No more slicing, breading, and doing all the hard work when all you need to do is reach into the freezer! These frozen calamari come ready to cook, with no defrosting required when you use your air fryer.
In under 10 minutes, you’ll have perfectly crisp breading on your calamari, just ready to be dipped in marinara or your other favorite sauces!
These easy frozen calamari rings are great to have on hand for a snack or appetizer anytime. They’re perfect as part of a fried seafood platter for a complete meal too!
What You’ll Need
Frozen calamari, any brand
Dipping sauce if desired (optional)
Ingredient Tips and Notes
I have Phillips frozen salt and pepper calamari here (from Aldi) but you can use any brand. Some other favorites are Seapak, Ocean Royale, or Tasty Catch
While calamari is tasty on its own (especially this salt and pepper seasoned version) it’s also delightful dipped in marinara, sweet chili sauce, or aioli
How to Cook Frozen Calamari in Air Fryer Step By Step
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Remove frozen calamari from all exterior packaging. Place into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting for 6 minutes at 400°F, pausing halfway through to flip them
You can air fry frozen calamari in an air fryer, though it’s not quite the same as deep frying. However, the process delivers a similar crispy exterior without the need for lots of oil.
Frozen calamari may be cooked directly from frozen, requiring no defrosting.
What Temperature Do You Cook Frozen Calamari in an Air Fryer?
Typically, you cook frozen calamari at a temperature of 400°F in an air fryer.
However, if that setting isn’t available to you, you can use a temperature of 370°F – 380°F and cook for a few extra minutes.
How Long to Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Calamari Rings?
Frozen breaded calamari rings need to air fry between 6-10 minutes on average.
The thicker the rings, the longer it will take, and times will vary slightly between air fryer models.
Why Is My Calamari Rubbery?
Calamari only gets rubbery when it is overcooked. It’s important to use small increments of cooking time and to check it frequently near the end of the cook cycle.
Calamari is done when it’s opaque in color and the internal temperature reaches 145°F for food safety. Note that this is a USDA guideline and that often the recommended temperature is 135°F or above.
Recipe Pro Tips
Most frozen breaded calamari comes with oil in the breading already, so no additional oil needs to be added before cooking
If you are cooking unbreaded, plain calamari rings then reduce cooking time to 5 minutes to start
My frozen Phillips salt and pepper calamari was perfect after 6 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. Times may vary for different air fryers and brands of ingredients
Some frozen breaded calamari comes with dipping sauce included (Phillips has a pineapple sweet chili sauce). While the calamari cooks, run the sauce packets under hot water to defrost
I recommend using tongs to flip the calamari as the breading is somewhat delicate and tends to fall off if you just shake the basket
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover calamari in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not refreeze once cooked
Reheat leftover calamari rings in the air fryer for 4-6 minutes at 400°F, or until heated through
Frozen calamari cooks up perfectly in under 10 minutes in your air fryer! Whether you have Phillips salt and pepper or another variety, they’re all great for air frying.
10Ouncefrozen calamari, any brand(Phillips salt and pepper pictured)
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Remove frozen calamari from all exterior packaging. Place into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
10 Ounce frozen calamari, any brand
Cook on the air fry setting for 6 minutes at 400°F, pausing halfway through to flip them
Frozen calamari are cooked when the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Add additional cooking time in small increments (1-2 minutes) to achieve this if necessary
Serve with your favorite dipping sauces!
Notes
You can use any brand of frozen calamari. Some other favorites are Seapak, Ocean Royale, or Tasty Catch. Larger sized rings generally take closer to 8 minutes
While calamari is tasty on its own (especially this salt and pepper seasoned version) it’s also delightful dipped in marinara, sweet chili sauce, or aioli
Most frozen breaded calamari comes with oil in the breading already, so no additional oil needs to be added before cooking
If you are cooking unbreaded, plain calamari rings then reduce cooking time to 5 minutes to start
My frozen Phillips salt and pepper calamari was perfect after 6 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. Times may vary for different air fryers and brands of ingredients
Some frozen breaded calamari comes with dipping sauce included (Phillips has a pineapple sweet chili sauce). While the calamari cooks, run the sauce packets under hot water to defrost
I recommend using tongs to flip the calamari as the breading is somewhat delicate and tends to fall off if you just shake the basket
Store leftover calamari in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not refreeze once cooked
Reheat leftover calamari rings in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 400°F, or until heated through
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
