The fried squid They are a very popular dish in restaurants, and ending up with leftovers is very common, but many people throw them away because they don’t know how best to reheat them.
What is the best way to reheat fried calamari? The best way to reheat fried calamari is to use the oven, otherwise, if you want to make sure you preserve the flavors and crunchiness, it’s best to use an air dryer.
There’s a common trick to all of these methods: you have to reheat the fried calamari long enough for it to be fresh and crisp on the outside and nice and hot on the inside.
The Best Ways to Reheat Fried Calamari
The first thing to keep in mind is that it is always better to eat fried foods fresh, in fact, even the best methods will not give you exactly the same flavor as freshly fried ones.
If you want to reheat leftover fried calamari, you need to make sure that they preserve as much of their fried texture and distinctive flavor as possible, to avoid ending up with rubbery, stale, or soggy calamari.
It is also essential to keep in mind that shellfish and fish, in general, are delicate ingredients that can harbor many pathogens or toxins that could make you sick. It is always best to eat leftovers that include shellfish within 3 days.
To make sure you keep food out of the danger zone, be sure to refrigerate or freeze leftover fried calamari within 2-3 hours.
Keep in mind that certain types of shellfish are more susceptible to overcooking than others, and calamari is one of them. This means you’ll have to be very careful when reheating them, because if you heat them for even a minute or two longer, you’ll end up eating a rubbery dish.
The problem is that the fried calamari has already been cooked to perfection, and cooking it a second time won’t do any good. It is best to heat them.
Another thing you can do is fry the calamari again so as not to lose the original crunchy texture. But you have to have some time on hand, and you also have to be very careful to avoid unwanted heat.
There are a few different methods you can use to reheat fried calamari, and choosing the best one depends mostly on the kitchen appliances you have on hand. All the methods we have listed work quite well, so the final decision is entirely up to you.
We’ve put together a handy guide to help you choose the best method to achieve the perfect consistency and texture when reheating your leftover fried calamari.
How to reheat fried calamari in the oven
One of the easiest and easiest methods to reheat fried calamari is to use the oven: it’s quick and easy, just preheat the oven, spread the calamari on a cookie sheet, and bake for a few minutes.
Keep in mind that they may end up being a little chewier than the first time around, but they’ll still be good enough and definitely worth eating.
Once you’ve reheated the fried calamari in the oven, be sure to eat it within two hours or it will end up soggy. Seafood is best served right after cooking, especially when it’s fried, so don’t leave it out to cool to room temperature.
If you use the oven you have two options when it comes to reheating it: you can reheat it at a higher temperature (375° Fahrenheit) for about 7 minutes, or at a lower temperature (about 350° Fahrenheit) for about 10 minutes.
A very helpful tip is to flip the calamari halfway through reheating, to ensure that it is heated evenly on both sides.
You can also use a meat thermometer to check the temperature to make sure they reheat evenly.
Here are the steps to reheat fried calamari in the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375° Fahrenheit or 350° Fahrenheit.
- Arrange your leftover fried calamari on a cookie sheet or baking sheet, making sure they do not overlap.
- Place the pan in the oven and reheat them.
- Remove the pan from the oven when they are halfway reheated.
- Flip the fried calamari.
- Optional: Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
- Leave them in the oven until they are evenly reheated.
How to reheat fried calamari in a skillet
Another quick method that you can use is to reheat the fried calamari in a pan: you will only have to use a little oil, but the best thing about this option is that you will have control over the amount of heating the dish.
Keep an eye on the temperature and remember to keep the heat low, otherwise you’ll end up cooking your fried calamari a second time.
Here are the steps to reheat fried calamari in a skillet:
- Choose a heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, and heat a small amount of oil into the skillet.
- Make sure the pan is hot, which can take 4-5 minutes, before adding the fried calamari.
- Put the fried calamari in the hot oil and fry it on both sides until evenly heated.
How to reheat fried calamari in the microwave
Reheating fried calamari in the microwave is probably not the safest option: fried foods reheated in the microwave tend to become a bit soggy and lose their flavor.
But clearly reheating fried calamari in the microwave saves a lot of time and trouble, and is one of the easiest and fastest methods.
So if you really want to reheat fried calamari in the microwave, keep in mind that the texture will probably change a bit, but there are some tips you can use to avoid it.
Here are the steps to reheat fried calamari in the microwave:
- Place a damp paper towel over the fried calamari (this will help the food maintain its original texture).
- Put the microwave on medium power.
- Heat your fried calamari at short intervals and regularly check the temperature.
- Check the humidity level often so you don’t end up with a soggy texture.
How to reheat fried calamari in an air fryer
A slightly different method is to reheat fried calamari in an air fryer – air fryers are great for keeping fried foods crispy even when you’ve reheated them, and this is something you definitely want to get into.
This method is slightly different from the others already mentioned because you are cooking your fried calamari a second time, not just reheating it, but it can definitely work.
The best part is, as long as you have an air fryer, it’s a really quick and easy method!
Here are the steps to reheat fried calamari in an air fryer:
- Set your air fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Add the squid that you have left over and heat them for 3 or 4 minutes.
Can fried calamari be reheated?
The answer to this question is yes, you don’t have to throw them away and you can definitely enjoy leftovers for days to come.
There are a few things to keep in mind to reheat them correctly and end up with crispy, flavorful fried calamari that’s just as good as fresh.
First of all, you have to store them correctly, and for the right time: put them in the fridge or freezer and be sure to reheat them in the following days. You should not leave them in the fridge for more than three days.
You shouldn’t reheat them more than once either, otherwise you’ll end up with soggy, rubbery fried calamari.
Keep in mind that calamari, like many other types of shellfish, is more susceptible to being overcooked: just reheat fried calamari long enough to make it edible again.
You can choose your preferred method from the ones we have listed above – each one works for different needs and depending on the availability of your kitchen appliances.
The safest way to reheat fried calamari is in the oven – it’s easy, simple, and doesn’t take a lot of time. Just be sure to flip them halfway through reheating, to ensure they reheat evenly.
Reheating fried calamari in an air fryer is another incredibly easy method, you can also use a skillet – this is another really quick method, but you have to be careful not to overcook it.
You can also reheat fried calamari in the microwave, although it’s not the first method we’d suggest.
Whichever method you choose, remember to follow our step-by-step guide to ensure you get the best results.