Carrabba's Italian Grill Fried Calamari Recipe

Carrabba's Italian Grill Fried Calamari is a crispy, golden appetizer of tender calamari rings and tentacles lightly breaded, fried to perfection, and served with flavorful marinara and creamy dipping sauces. Make our Carrabba's Italian Grill Fried Calamari Recipe at home. With our Secret Restaurant Recipe your Fried Calamari will taste just like Carrabba's Italian Grill.

Prep Time20

Active Time20

Soaking Time30

Total Time1 10

Course: Appetizer, Party Recipe, Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian, Seafood

Keyword: Carrabba's Italian Grill, Deep Fried, Fried

Yield: 1 Appetizer Platter

Ingredients

Carrabba's Italian Grill Marinara Sauce (See the Recipe Box below for this Recipe)
1 pound fresh Calamari cleaned and sliced into rings (tentacles can be included)
1 cup Buttermilk
1 cup All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon Paprika
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground Black Pepper to taste
Vegetable Oil for frying
Fresh Parsley chopped, to garnish
Lemon Wedges to serve

Instructions

Prepare Carrabba's Italian Grill Marinara Sauce according to the recipe in the Recipe Box below. Set aside.
Place cleaned and sliced calamari in a bowl.
Pour buttermilk over calamari. Allow to soak for 30 minutes to tenderize the calamari.
In a shallow dish, mix flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and black pepper.
Pour about 2 inches of oil into a medium skillet. Place over medium heat.
When oil is hot and shimmering, remove calamari from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off.
Dredge in the flour mixture, coating evenly.
Place calamari in hot oil in batches and fry for 2 - 3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
Remove to a paper towel-covered plate to drain. Set aside and keep warm.
Arrange fried calamari on a serving platter.
Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Serve with lemon wedges and Carrabba's Italian Grill Marinara Sauce on the side.