This keto calamari, cooked in salt and pepper squid style, truly stands out as a delicious and healthy dish. The calamari is expertly prepared to be tender and bursting with flavor, making it a winning choice for anyone looking to enjoy a satisfying meal while staying low-carb
Make your keto salt and pepper squid fresh, leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Why You’ll Love It
- Low-Carb and Delicious: Thanks to a clever keto breading, you can enjoy the crispy satisfaction of fried calamari without the guilt.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe takes just 25 minutes from start to finish, perfect for a weeknight meal or appetizer.
- Authentic Salt & Pepper Flavor: Recreate the flavors of your favorite take-out dish at home with simple spices.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup of Unflavored Protein Powder
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- 2 teaspoons of Coconut Flour
- 1 teaspoon of Black Pepper, ground
- 2 Fresh Squid Tubes, medium-sized
- Oil, for frying – Read about the best choices of oil here
How to Make Deep Fried Calamari
- Prepare the Breading: In a mixing bowl, combine the protein powder, coconut flour, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Prepare the Squid: Open the squid tubes by inserting a knife into the opening and cutting through one side. Trim any loose membrane. Score the inside in a small diamond pattern, cutting no more than a third of the way through. Cut the squid tube in half and slice each half into thick strips.
- Heat the Oil: Heat your deep fryer to 180°C/355°F.
- Coat and Fry: Take a few strips of squid and dust them in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Gently drop them into the hot oil. Fry for 2-4 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Depending on the size of your fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
- Drain and Season: Remove the calamari from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
- Serve: Serve hot with keto garlic aioli and lemon wedges for a delicious low-carb appetizer or meal.
Don’t have a deep fryer? This fried keto salt and pepper squid can be shallow fried in a frying pan or even a wok. Just make sure you place the squid cut side down into the oil.
Expert Tips and Variations
- Don’t Have a Deep Fryer? No problem! You can shallow fry the calamari in a frying pan or wok. Just ensure the squid is placed cut-side down in the oil.
- Almond Flour Option: For an alternative to coconut flour, try using almond flour in the breading mixture.
- Spice It Up: For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the breading.
Calamari FAQs
How many carbs are in Calamari?
Raw calamari has zero carbs, making it a perfect protein source for most diets.
Can you reheat calamari?
While you can store leftover calamari in the fridge for up to 3 days, it may become slightly rubbery when reheated. It is recommended to enjoy it freshly cooked for the best texture.
What Other Keto Seafood Recipes Can I Try?
If you love this keto calamari, be sure to check out our other delicious keto seafood recipes, such as Keto Battered Fish, Keto Shrimp Curry, Keto Tuna Cakes, and Keto Breaded Fish.
Keto Calamari – Salt & Pepper Squid
Our Keto Salt and Pepper Squid is an absolute winner and easy to make! The squid is tender, with a crunchy coating and it tastes like the real deal.
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Print Pin Share EmailServings: 4 servings
Calories: 222kcal
Unit Conversion
Equipment
- Deep Fryer
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup Unflavored Protein Powder
- 2 teaspoons Coconut Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper ground
- 2 Fresh Squid Tubes medium sized
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add the protein powder, coconut flour, salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Open up the squid tubes by inserting a knife into the opening and cut through one side. Trim any loose membrane.
- Score in the inside in a small diamond pattern, cut no more than a third of the way through. Cut the squid tube in half and slice each half into thick strips.
- Heat your deep fryer to 180C/355F.
- Take a few strips of the squid and dust in the flour mixture, shake off excess and gently drop into the hot oil.
- Fry for 2-4 minutes, until the squid is golden brown, then drain. Depending on the size of your fryer, you may need to cook it in batches.
- Add extra salt and pepper, if desired.
- Serve hot with Garlic Aioli and Lemon Wedges.
Video
Keto Recipe Salt & Pepper Squid – Low Carb Deep Fried Calamari – (Easy, Tasty & Tender)
Nutrition
Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 613mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
Made this recipe?Tag me at @myketokitchen
Wow this is SO good!!! Thought my fried calamari days were over!
I cook this calamari all the time Cheryl it’s my favorite keto seafood recipe. Thank you for the kind words.