This Crispy Salt & Pepper Squid is a delectable dish featuring tender squid coated in a light, crispy batter and tossed with a fragrant mixture of salt, pepper, and aromatics. The exterior is perfectly crunchy while the squid remains tender inside. It’s commonly served as an appetizer or main dish, popular in Chinese restaurants and Asian cuisine.
Ingredients:
- 500g squid tubes, cleaned and scored in a crosshatch pattern
- 1 cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ teaspoons sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 red chilies, finely chopped
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
For the Seasoning Mix:
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon five-spice powder (optional)
Directions:
- Preparation:
- Cut squid tubes into 2-inch squares
- Mix cornstarch, flour, 1 teaspoon each of white and black pepper, and 1½ teaspoons salt in a bowl
- Prepare the seasoning mix in a separate small bowl
- Coating:
- Pat squid pieces dry with paper towels
- Coat each piece in the flour mixture, shaking off excess
- Let coated squid rest for 5 minutes
- Frying:
- Heat oil in a deep pot or wok to 180°C (350°F)
- Fry squid in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy
- Remove and drain on paper towels
- Finishing:
- In a separate pan, quickly stir-fry minced garlic, chilies, and spring onions until fragrant
- Add fried squid to the pan
- Sprinkle with the seasoning mix and toss well
- Serving:
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy
- Garnish with extra spring onions and chilies if desired
- Optional: serve with lemon wedges and sweet chili sauce
Tips:
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying to maintain oil temperature
- The squid cooks very quickly; overcooking will make it tough
- Double-coating the squid can create an extra crispy exterior
- Make sure the squid is very dry before coating for best results
This dish is best enjoyed immediately while hot and crispy. The combination of tender squid, crispy coating, and aromatic seasonings makes it a perfect appetizer or main course.
