Appetizers, Italian, Seafood

Spicy Baked Calamari

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This Spicy Baked Calamari recipe is so easy to make right at home. Calamari is often fried when enjoyed at restaurants, but this dish has a healthier vibe as the calamari and cherry peppers are baked after being tossed with Italian style bread crumbs, fresh garlic, fresh parsley and olive oil.

My husband and son LOVED the dish and said the taste of calamari really shines through as opposed to being covered in grease and breading at restaurants.

I make a spicy dipping sauce to go with, but you could also serve the calamari with your fave marinara sauce.

I tripled this quantity for the Feast of Seven Fishes. The baking time was a bit longer. Every oven is unique so keep an eye on the pan! The calamari should be lightly browned and fragrant when done.

Spicy Baked Calamari
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Spicy Baked Calamari

Recipe by Susan LeiserCourse: AppetizersCuisine: Italian AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes

Ingredients

  • For the calamari

  • 1 lb. frozen calamari rings, defrosted, rinsed, drained and dried with towels

  • 3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs, plus more if desired

  • 4 garlic cloves, sliced

  • 1/2 cup sliced hot jarred cherry peppers, drained

  • 1/2 cup fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped

  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more as desired

  • For the sauce

  • 1 cup mayonnaise

  • 4-5 tsp. Calabrian chili paste

  • 2 tsp. lemon juice

Directions

  • For the calamari
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add cleaned and dried calamari rings. Add bread crumbs, garlic slices, cherry peppers, flat leaf parsley and olive oil. Toss with a large spoon until calamari and rings are evenly coated.
  • Carefully spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle more bread crumbs and drizzle with more olive oil if desired.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove pan from oven and stir mixture to redistribute on pan. Bake again for 10 more minutes. Serve hot or room temperature with dipping sauce (recipe below) and lemon wedges.
  • For the sauce
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, Calabrian chili paste and lemon juice. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Sauce may be made ahead.

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