Calamari Steak (Panko Breaded and Pan Fried)

This calamari steak recipe is five-star restaurant quality. The steaks are coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs and pan fried until golden brown and crispy outside and super tender inside. A little squeeze of fresh lemon juice finishes them off, and dinner's ready in just 15 minutes!

The Best Calamari Steak

If you typically love seafood, you're going to be obsessed with this easy calamari steak recipe! It's different than any other dish out there, and it's so delicious. 

This recipe coats each calamari steak in a drizzle of olive oil and seasoned panko breadcrumb mixture. Then they're quickly pan fried on the stovetop until tender and flakey on the inside, with an irresistible crunch from the golden brown panko breading.

As far as calamari steak recipes go, it seriously doesn't get better than this one!

I love making pan fried calamari steaks whenever I want to break out of my regular weeknight dinner routine. They make for a really impressive appetizer or meal if you're hosting, too. Serve them alongside this stick of butter rice, and you'll have a dinner everyone won't be able to stop talking about!

Why This Recipe Works

Foolproof. Even if you've never cooked calamari before, I guarantee you'll have no trouble making this recipe and getting perfectly cooked, crispy pan fried calamari every time!

Simple ingredients. You'll only need 5 ingredients to make these pan fried calamari steaks. Once you get some fresh calamari, the rest of the ingredients are just common pantry ingredients.

A winning combination. From the crispy and crunchy seasoned breadcrumb mixture to the tender calamari steaks, this recipe is one you'll want to make over and over again.

Ingredients

This simple calamari steak recipe is made with just a handful of really simple, fresh, and wholesome ingredients.

Here's everything you'll need to make calamari steaks:

• 4 calamari steak
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 lemons
• 2 tbsp. mixed spices (paprika, oregano, salt and pepper, thyme)
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil for frying

By the way, if you love how delicious panko breading is, you have to try this baked cod with panko and baked haddock next!

How To Make Calamari Steak

1. Make panko breadcrumb mixture: Place the panko breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl and whisk them with paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

2. Bread the calamari: Brush each calamari steak with a little olive oil and coat the steaks in the panko mixture. Press lightly to ensure the panko adheres to the calamari. Repeat with the remaining steaks, adding more panko if needed.

3. Fry the calamari steaks: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on high heat. Add the calamari steaks to the hot oil and cook on high heat for about a minute or two until the steaks are golden on one side. Carefully flip the calamari steak and cook on the other side until golden. Repeat the pan frying process with the rest of the calamari.

4. Serve: Remove the calamari steaks from the pan and serve hot with a squeeze of lemon juice and your favorite salad, mashed sweet potatoes, or whatever sides you prefer. Enjoy!

Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Let the oil heat up for a few minutes before deep frying.
• Make sure the calamari is completely dry before coating it in the seasonings. You can pat it dry with paper towels or a kitchen towel.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan while frying. Otherwise, the temperature of the oil will drop and make for uneven deep fried calamari.
• Make grilled calamari steaks. Instead of frying in oil, cook the steaks on a grill pan set to medium high heat and cook until they're golden brown.
• Make lemon caper calamari steaks. Simply make a lemon caper sauce with melted butter, capers, and fresh lemon juice. Drizzle the rich lemon butter sauce on top of the calamari steaks right before serving.
• Add a dash of fish sauce to the panko mixture for more umami goodness.
• Serve the calamari steaks with lemon wedges, parmesan cheese, tartar sauce, and a drizzle of olive oil for more flavor.

How To Store Calamari Steaks

In the fridge: Transfer leftover calamari steaks to an airtight container or sealed bag with the excess air squeezed out and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days.

In the freezer: Allow leftovers to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating: Transfer leftover calamari steaks to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 275°F for 10-12 minutes or until they're fully reheated. Allow frozen leftovers to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Calamari Steak Recipe FAQS

What is a calamari steak?

A calamari steak is made from a large squid. It's the same meat as the deep fried rings you'd get at a restaurant.

What does calamari steak taste like?

It has a slightly firmer and chewier texture than calamari rings, with a super crispy and crunchy finish.

What can I serve with calamari steaks?

Calamari steaks are delicious with things like seafood pasta salad, pasta with peas, kani salad, or spicy noodles.

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