Fried calamari is a popular item to order in many seafood restaurants. If you find yourself unable to finish your order but don’t want to throw it out, don’t worry! You can take steps to properly reheat your fried calamari the next day.
You have to be careful to not overcook your fried calamari in the process of reheating it. You can choose to use the oven, the stove, the air fryer, or even the microwave to reheat your dish. You want to remember to simply warm them up and not to try and cook them a second time.
Reheating Fried Calamari in the Oven
The oven is going to be one of the easiest methods for reheating your fried calamari. The oven provides an even distribution of heat that gently reheats your fried food. You simply want the calamari to be warmed through and not overcooked and rubbery.
- 1. Preheat your oven or toaster oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2. Place your leftover calamari onto a baking sheet, evenly spaced apart. (Overcrowding the calamari can affect how they reheat.)
- 3. Bake your calamari for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. (This ensures that they’re heated evenly on both sides)
- 4. Remove the sheet tray from the oven and allow the calamari to cool momentarily.
It’s important to keep in mind that your calamari may become a bit chewier after it’s been reheated. This doesn’t mean it’s not safe to eat, however. It’s just a difference in texture.
Reheating Fried Calamari on the Stove
This is a quick and relatively easy option for reheating your fried calamari. The skillet allows the exterior of the calamari to regain some crispness that it lost in the fridge.
- 1. Pour a small amount of neutral oil (like vegetable oil) into your skillet.
- 2. Heat the pan up on low heat until the oil is warmed through. (You don’t want to use high heat or even a medium. This may burn the calamari before it gets heated.)
- 3. Place your calamari into the oil and pan-fry on both sides for 1-2 minutes.
- 4. Remove the calamari from the skillet and allow it to cool briefly before you enjoy them.
You don’t want to use an excessive amount of oil in your skillet. Too much oil can cause the calamari to become soggy and overly saturated in oil. They won’t be pleasant to eat at that point.
Reheating Fried Calamari in the Air Fryer
If you’re lucky enough to have access to an air fryer, then absolutely use it to reheat your fried calamari. Air fryers are the superior choice when it comes to reheating your leftover fried foods.
- 1. Heat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2. Place your leftover calamari into the air fryer basket and heat for 3-4 minutes.
- 3. Check to see if your calamari is heated through and crisped up.
- 4. Remove the calamari from the basket and give them a chance to cool before digging into them.
An air fryer is a great option for the task of reheating fried calamari. The great thing is that the air fryer doesn’t use oil, so you won’t risk your fried calamari becoming too oily. If you use aluminum foil in your air fryer, be careful that it’s not touching the heating element.
Reheating Fried Calamari in the Microwave
Choosing the microwave to reheat your fried calamari isn’t the most ideal choice, but it can be done. You won’t end up with crispy fried calamari again and your calamari may even be a bit soggy.
On the other hand, this will be the quickest and easiest method by far. So if you’re in a pinch and need to reheat your fried calamari quickly, this is the option for you.
- 1. Place a slightly damp paper towel over your fried calamari.
- 2. Put the fried calamari onto a microwave-safe plate.
- 3. Microwave the calamari for 20-30 seconds, regularly checking it.
- 4. Remove the calamari from the microwave and give it an opportunity to cool for a minute.
The damp paper towel ensures the calamari doesn’t get dry and overly chewy while it’s heating. Keep an eye on the calamari while it’s microwaving, as it can overheat quickly.
How Do You Reheat Fried Food to Make It Crispy Again?
While fried food may never be as crispy as it was originally, that doesn’t mean you can’t get close. Your best options for regaining maximum crispiness would be to use the oven, the skillet, or the air fryer (best choice).
The main thing to be careful of is to not overcook your leftover fried food. In the process of trying to get it crunchy again, you can easily overcook the center. The air fryer is great for this because it crisps up the outside quickly.
Calamari specifically is very susceptible to becoming overcooked during the process of reheating. Be careful and keep a watchful eye on your fried calamari and you should be able to enjoy delicious leftovers.
In Conclusion
There are several ways to go about reheating your fried calamari. If you have some leftovers, just try any one of the above methods. Calamari can be a delicious appetizer and it makes sense to not want to waste it.
Whether you use the oven, stovetop, air fryer, or microwave, you’re sure to enjoy your calamari the second time around. You can regain some of that sought-after crunchiness of the breading with a few simple tips.
You should now be well on your way to understanding how to best reheat your fried calamari. The above methods will work well on other leftover fried foods as well. So feel free to take your leftovers home and enjoy them the next day.
