Description
Hot Butter Calamari is a fiery and flavorful dish featuring crispy fried calamari tossed in a spicy, buttery garlic sauce with chilies and herbs. Perfect as a starter or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb calamari rings (cleaned)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp chili powder or cayenne pepper
- Oil for deep frying
- For the hot butter sauce:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 fresh red chilies, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Fresh curry leaves or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the calamari dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dredge the calamari rings in the flour mixture until well coated.
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry calamari in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
- In a separate pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add garlic, chilies, and curry leaves (if using), and sauté until fragrant (1–2 minutes).
- Add soy sauce and lemon juice. Toss in the fried calamari and mix to coat evenly in the hot butter sauce.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- Do not overcook the calamari — it becomes rubbery quickly.
- For extra heat, add more chilies or a dash of hot sauce.
- Great served with lime wedges or a cool yogurt dip on the side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Snack
- Method: Fried / Sautéed
- Cuisine: Sri Lankan / South Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 210mg