Go Back
+ servings
Portuguese style fried calamari (lulas fritas) on a white plate, garnished with fresh lemon, cilantro, banana peppers, olives and hot sauce
Print Recipe
5 from 9 votes

Portuguese Style Fried Calamari Recipe - Lulas Fritas

These 'lulas fritas' (Portuguese-style fried calamari) are deliciously seasoned, perfectly crispy, and served with banana peppers, sliced black olives, fresh lemon and cilantro. The dipping sauce is a combination of butter and hot sauce, and adds the perfect kick to this delicious fried calamari recipe.
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time55 mins
Course: Appetizers and sides
Cuisine: Portuguese
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

Calamari:

  • 1 pound frozen calamari rings defrosted
  • ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cups cornstarch
  • 4 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 packet sazon con azafran optional
  • 2 eggs
  • 5 cups canola or peanut oil

Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • cup hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons vinho verde or any non-sweet white wine
  • a few drops of fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Make the sauce by melting the butter in a very small saucepan and slowly adding the white wine and a few drops of lemon juice. Let the alcohol from the wine cook off for about 1-2 minutes and then whisk in the hot sauce. As soon as the hot sauce starts to simmer, turn the flame off from under the pan.
  • Rinse the squid rings and drain them. Set aside until you're ready to use them. No need to pat dry. 
  • In a deep skillet or dutch oven, heat the oil over a high flame. You'll want the oil to reach 425°F, which will take a while, so proceed to the next step while the oil is heating.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and sazon.
  • In a separate small bowl, create an egg wash by beating the eggs. Set them aside.
  • One by one, dip each of the squid rings into the egg wash, and then into the flour. Set the dredged squid rings on a plate (space them apart and don't set them on top of each other). You may need to use 2 large plates to fit them all.
  • Once the oil reaches 425°F, you'll want to work in small batches of about 5-6 rings at at a time.  Give the squid rings another coating of flour (don't dip them in egg again!) Shake them off gently, drop them in the oil and fry them for 1 minute or until they turn golden-orange in color.
  • Transfer the fried calamari to a metal cooling rack to drain the oil. Make sure to drain the calamari in a single layer.  aDon't pile the rings on top of each other!
  • Once you've fried all of the calamari, arrange them on a plate or serving platter and garnish with fresh cilantro, lemon wedges, sliced olives and banana peppers. Serve the sauce on the side.