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Olive Garden Calamari – Copycat Recipe
Mar 07, 2026
Olive Garden Calamari – Copycat Recipe
Recreate the beloved Olive Garden calamari at home with this easy copycat recipe! Crispy, tender, and served with a zesty marinara sauce, this dish is perfect for appetizers or as a delightful snack. 🍽️
Recipe Details
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| Servings | 4 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 pound calamari, cleaned and sliced into rings
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
- Marinara sauce for serving
Instructions
- In a bowl, soak the calamari rings in buttermilk for about 15 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat.
- Remove calamari from buttermilk and dredge in the flour mixture, coating evenly.
- Fry the calamari in batches for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and serve with marinara sauce.
Nutrition Information
| Calories | 300 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 15g fat |
| Carbohydrates | 30g carbohydrates |
| Protein | 10g protein |
Handy Tips
- For extra flavor, add some cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to ensure crispy calamari.
Ingredient Swaps
- Buttermilk: You can substitute with milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
- Cornmeal: If you don’t have cornmeal, you can use additional flour instead.
