Warning. This crispy salt and pepper squid is extremely moreish and may cause fork fights at the dinner table. It is super easy to prepare with just a gluten free dusting of either tapioca flour (also known as arrowroot) or potato starch flour. Both work well. Tapioca results in a slightly thinner coating whilst potato starch delivers a little more crunch. You can even replace the flour with your favourite gluten free breadcrumb for an even thicker coating.
Cook just before serving to ensure the squid stays crisp and crunchy. A scattering of fresh mint and parsley at the end adds a beautiful fragrant freshness to the squid. Serve with homemade lime aioli and I guarantee these crispy bites of deliciousness will disappear in no time.
- 5 whole squid (roughly 1kg), cleaned and scored
- 2 egg whites, whisked
- 1 cup tapioca flour or potato starch flour
- 1 tablespoon sea salt flakes
- 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil to fry*
- Handful of fresh mint and parsley, finely chopped
- Lemon wedges to serve
- Good quality extra virgin olive oil has a smoke point between 200 - 210C, well above the 180C required for frying.
- Combine the flour, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Dip squid in egg white, drip off excess. Coat squid well in flour, dust off excess.
- Heat oil in a large frypan until it reaches 180C. Fry squid for 1 - 2 minutes until crisp and drain on a wire rack instead of a paper towel to stop squid going soggy.
- Garnish with herbs and serve with lemon wedges.
Hi this looks devine. Could i use plain flour? And i have never ever brought squid can you buy it like this or will i need to clean and score myself. Thanks.
Hi Fiona
Sorry for the late reply I have just returned from an overseas holiday. Yes you could use plain flour. You can buy it clean but you will need to cut and score yourself as most fishmongers will not do this for you. Good luck!
Hi:
I m very excited to try this recipe, is tapioca flour same than tapioca starch? Is Dijon mustard gluten free?
Thank you 🙂
Hi Estela
You can use tapioca starch that is fine. Most Dijon mustard are gluten free just double check the ingredient list to be safe.
Ooooh yum, trying this soon!!
Hello can I use rice flour or cornflour to sub for the potato/ tapioca flour ??
Yes you can
We loved this! Thanks for the recipe.
Fantastic Christy.
Re scoring squid or any sea food issues… I grew up in Fish & Chip Shops and so long as someone gave notice, we always did what we could for them
Loved this. Quick and easy and delicious! Used gf bread crumbs, so crunchy, just like the recipe said.
Hi Helen! This looks amazing! Im going to try tonight. Can I ask will it work fine with frozen squid rings (defrosted first?) Thanks so much!!!
Yes it should.
Could I swap the egg for nut milk due to a dairy and egg allergy? Thank you
I would just try it without the egg. Hope this helps.
Since I tried this recipe in 2022 I never looked for another one. The calamari is so tasty and crispy!!