19 Must-Try Calamari Recipes to Impress Your Guests

If you’re looking to surprise and impress your guests with an impressive seafood dish, look no further than calamari recipes!

Calamari is a delicious and versatile seafood that can be used to create a variety of dishes.

Whether you’re looking for a light and tasty appetizer or a show-stopping entrée, these 19 must-try recipes are sure to make your next gathering a memorable one.

Related: 11 Delicious Calamari Steak Recipes You’ll Want to Try

The 19 Best Calamari Recipes

Sure, you can order up a plate of deep-fried calamari from your favorite seafood spot, but why not take the extra step and make your own version at home?

Whether you opt for a classic fried preparation or try something a little more out of the ordinary, these 19 recipes are sure to impress your guests.

1. Calamari Puttanesca

This is a dish that will surprise and delight your taste buds!

The combination of salty capers, sweet cinnamon, and zingy chili is a winner.

I especially love the contrast of textures in this dish.

It’s definitely one I’ll be making again soon!

-Sheila Nguyen, Houston, Texas

2. Buttermilk Fried Calamari with Lemon Aioli

This is a great twist on a classic dish.

The buttermilk marinade gave the calamari a tangy and crispy outer coating.

The lemon aioli was the perfect accompaniment, adding a tart and creamy touch.

I served these at my last get-together and everyone absolutely loved them.

They were gone in no time!

-Andrew Scott, Chicago, Illinois

3. Red Wine Calamari

I’m always looking for new and interesting ways to prepare calamari, and this red wine calamari recipe was the perfect way to do it.

The combination of the tomato paste, fresh tomatoes, capers, and red wine gave it an amazing flavor that really brought out the best in the calamari.

I served it with a side of crusty bread to soak up all of that delicious sauce.

Delicious!

-Natalie Miller, Seattle, Washington

4. Greek Style Garlic Calamari

This Greek Style Garlic Calamari was a huge hit in my house!

The calamari was cooked perfectly, it was tender and juicy.

I loved the flavor of garlic, green chili and pepper powder; it was the perfect combination.

The olive oil added a nice touch of flavor, too.

We served the calamari with some pita bread and salad, and everyone loved it.

Definitely making this again soon!

-Tina Yu, Santa Clara, California

5. Stuffed Sicilian Calamari

I was hesitant at first, but this recipe ended up being a hit!

I’ve made stuffed calamari before, but the combination of capers, parsley, and Parmesan added such amazing flavor.

The white wine was also a great addition.

I served it with some crusty bread to sop up all the delicious juices.

Everyone wanted seconds!

-Barry Nelson, Owensboro, Kentucky

6. Air Fryer Calamari (So Crispy but Not Greasy)

I love this air fryer calamari recipe because it’s so crispy and flavorful without the guilt.

I always worry about using too much oil for fried food, but this recipe solved that problem.

It has a great combination of spices, and the panko breadcrumb gives it an extra crunch.

And best of all, it only takes 15 minutes from start to finish! Delicious!

-Karen Stewart, Lakewood, Colorado

7. Grilled Calamari Salad

This is the perfect summer salad.

It’s light and fresh, with a hint of spiciness from the chili garlic sauce.

I’ve been looking for a new seafood recipe, and this is exactly what I was looking for.

Plus, it’s super easy to make and can be prepared in 25 minutes or less!

Thanks for sharing this wonderful grilled calamari salad.

-Anna Whiteley, Colorado Springs, Colorado

8. Sicilian Calamari in Tomato Sauce

This recipe was delicious!

My family and I love seafood, especially calamari.

The wine and tomato sauce complemented the calamari perfectly and we couldn’t get enough.

The best part is that it was ready in 25 minutes, so I had dinner on the table with minimal effort.

This will definitely become a weekly staple in my household!

-Kathy Geller, Los Angeles, California

9. Shrimp and Calamari in Garlicky Tomato Sauce

This shrimp and calamari dish was the perfect solution for a night I needed to get dinner on the table fast.

With a few pantry staples, I created a flavorful, garlicky tomato sauce to bring out the delicate flavors of the seafood.

The aromas were so tantalizing, my family almost couldn’t wait until it was done cooking!

A winning recipe for sure!

-Karen Stell, Alpharetta, Georgia

10. Grilled Calamari Steaks with Summer Salsa

This recipe was a delicious surprise!

The calamari was wonderfully tender, and the salsa really gave it an extra zing.

I used Italian parsley instead of basil, which added a nice peppery flavor to the salsa.

I served it with a side of warm bread, and it felt like being back on vacation in Italy.

Delicious!

-Allison Jones, Dallas, Texas

11. Greek Island–Style Stuffed Calamari with Rice and Herbs

I absolutely loved this Greek Island-style stuffed calamari recipe.

The flavors are bright, vibrant and fragrant, the texture is tender and juicy.

I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it came together and the cleanup was a breeze!

It’s definitely a keeper for my family.

-Meredith Hancock, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

12. Calamarata (Calamari and Tomato Sauce Pasta)

I love seafood and pasta, so this recipe is a perfect combination of two of my favorites.

I have to admit that I was a bit intimidated by the squid and wasn’t sure how it would taste, but the flavors blended together beautifully.

The garlic and red pepper added an unexpected kick to the dish, which I really enjoyed.

It’s definitely a keeper!

-Erica Fox, Concord, California

13. Shrimp Stuffed Squid

I made this dish for a special dinner and it was an instant hit!

It was a lot easier to make than I thought it would be and the flavors were so delicious.

The shrimp stuffing had the perfect balance of sweetness from the bread crumbs and herbs, while the squid itself was tender.

The tomato sauce added that extra pop of flavor, pulling all the elements together nicely.

Everyone wanted seconds!

-Donna Roberts, New Orleans, Louisiana

14. Chilled Calamari Salad with Lemon and Parsley

This was a great way to enjoy calamari!

The fresh herbs, lemon, and garlic really brought out the flavor of the squid and gave it a light, refreshing taste.

We served it over a bed of greens and the combination was perfect.

I will definitely be making this again and can’t wait to try different variations!

-Stephanie Williams, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

15. Spanish Style Grilled Calamari Salad with Potatoes

This was an excellent and tasty way to mix up a seafood dish.

The calamari was cooked just right and the potatoes were perfectly tender.

I added a little extra lemon juice for a bit more zing.

I loved how the peppers, parsley, and red onion added vibrant colors to the dish.

A perfect light lunch or side that can easily be made any day of the week.

-Ana Grieve, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

16. Italian Fried Calamari (Calamari Fritti)

This is an excellent recipe for Italian fried calamari.

The combination of semolina and all-purpose flour creates a flavorful, crispy texture that makes this dish a family favorite.

I served it as an appetizer with a side of marinara sauce, but you could also serve it with lemon wedges and garlic mayonnaise.

-Jennifer Reilly, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

17. Spicy Two-Minute Calamari (Sautéed – Not Fried)

I recently made this recipe and I was really impressed.

It’s incredibly easy to make, but the flavor is anything but ordinary.

I love the combination of tomatoes, capers, shallots and pickled peppers – all of which give it a unique Mediterranean flair.

Plus, with the crunchy panko topping it adds a nice texture to balance out the tender calamari rings.

I’ll definitely be making this one again!

-Marina Mays, Fort Collins, Colorado

18. Marinated Grilled Calamari

My husband and I were a bit hesitant to try this recipe, not being familiar with cooking calamari.

But we followed the instructions carefully, and it was delicious!

The marinade gave it just enough kick without overpowering the natural flavor of the calamari.

We served the grilled calamari with warm ciabatta bread, drizzled with some of the leftover marinade.

-Gina Peterson, Omaha, Nebraska

19. Salt & Pepper Air Fryer Calamari

I had a blast making this dish.

Not only was it incredibly easy, but the end result was absolutely delicious!

I used fresh squid rings and loved the crispy crunch of the panko breadcrumbs.

I’ve been looking for new ways to prepare seafood and this is a definite winner.

Thank you so much for the great recipe!

-Ethan Doherty, Las Vegas, Nevada