This calamari recipe is complete with spicy dip and is baked, not fried! A healthy, quick and easy version of the restaurant classic.
You and me goin’ fishin’ in the dark…..
It’s name that song Friday!
And, if you guessed “Fishin’ In The Dark” well, HOW DID YOU KNOW? It was notso obvious I thought.
Also “name that song Friday” is a one time-dealio. Don’t start learning all your song trivia so you can win next week’s round, capeesh?
In the name of full disclosure: I really just wanted to sing a song to you, but I wanted to it to make sense with the topic (sidenote: that rarely happens around here, so I don’t know why this was important) so I googled a song about fishing.
And that song came up.
Now that I have told you real reason for “Name That Song” Friday, and have taken ALL the fun out of it, let’s chat about creepy, slimy little things that move around the ooooceannnn.
I bet you’re reallllll hungry now.
Let’s be honest. Calamari? It squishy. It’s the kind of thing that when you get it on your tray at a Korean BBQ restaurant, you put it in the little grill and it just. Sits. There. And then you stare at it but. Don’t. eat. It. Because it’s squid. And that’s just weird.
Or maybe that’s just what happens when Mr. FFF and I go for Korean BBQ. P.S Have you guys gone out for such food? You get to cook all your own meat inside a little BBQ that is attached to your table.
It’s ALL the fun. Fo’ serious.
Calamari is really only good when you coat in crunchiness. Yes, deep frying helps its slimy little cause. BUT. Remember the mango chicken with coconut cauliflower rice? We don’t do no deep frying here. We baked this calamari recipe.
Baked them. Baked them good.
More songs. Yes, I made up my own version. My blog. I can do what I want.
Now, I was worried that I would be let down by the whole “baking” thing because this girl LOVES some deep-fried-to-golden-brown-perfection-crunch-crunch-yum restaurant calamari recipe. <— I’m having a moment just thinking about that.
HOW-EV-ER, this calamari recipe? It swam right up to my taste buds and PUNCHED them in their faces with “OH HEY, I AM SUPER DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY” goodness.
You know, if calamari had hands. And could punch things.
You get it.
The coconut is a little sweet, the (2 ingredient!) spicy yogurt sauce is spicy (Duh) and tart.
The calamari recipe?
Baked to crunchy perfection.
I’m sharing the Baked Coconut Calamari Recipe over on WholeYum today, so head there to check it out!
Want more seafood goodness?
Cauliflower Rice Fish Taco Bowls
Grilled Mahi Mahi Macadamia Pesto Kebabs
More sea critter goodness from around the web:
Shrimp and Corn Chowder – Panning the Globe
Spicy Tuna Melt Twice Baked Potatoes – Busy in Brooklyn
Thai Sweet Chili Glazed Salmon – The Iron You
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Ha ha love your “name that song” game! And I am in love with this calamari! I soon as I saw the title of the recipe, I knew it was a keeper. My husband and I always order calamari for an appetizer when we go out to dinner. It’s one of our faves! I never thought to make it at home, so this is perfect! Pinning! Have a great weekend, Taylor!
Taylor Kiser says
We LOVE calamari for an app too, it’s just so good! I hope you love this, and also that you have a great weekend too! Thanks Gayle!
[email protected]+The+Housewife+in+Training+Files says
Girllllll, I love me some fried calamari but my tummy and waist. Not so much. I am changing our dinner plans because you know when you get overly excited about a recipe. Ya thats me right now. Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha, I do that ALL the time! I hope you love it..thanks for the pin!
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says
Love, love calamari! I’m so intrigued by the baking technique, gotta try it!
Taylor Kiser says
You must if you’re a calamari fan girl!! Thanks! 😀
[email protected] n Dishes says
Love name that song Friday! I change sing lyrics all the time, and I think that I’m hilarious ; ) This calamari looks awesome, I would never have guessed that it isn’t fried!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! Happy I’m not the only one doing that l) Thanks Kari!!
[email protected]+Tip+Top+Shape says
I love this!!! It looks amazing!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Liz! 😀
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
I need to try this. My husband and I are obsessed with trying the calamari every time we’re at a new restaurant, but I have never made it. Scares me for some reason. This might be the inspiration I need to try making it for a change! I mean, we do need to try all the calamari so why not?!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! It is SO easy stacey! And if you guys are calamari fanatics, I think you’ll love this! thanks! 😀
Shaina says
I LOVE CALAMARI! But I hate it fried. You can’t taste how amazing the calamari is, and I like the squishy texture! Plus all you taste is fried nothing. Gross. But these baked ones…now THIS I can do! YUMMMMMMMM
Taylor Kiser says
I know right, it just tastes like oil!! Thanks girlfriend, me thinks you’d love this!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Not gonna lie…I love calamari, but making it sorta freak me out. This recipe sounds amazing though!!!
Taylor Kiser says
It freaked me out too, but it’s way less scary than it seems..DO IT! Thanks girl!
[email protected]+Love+&+Zest says
I must comment… the photography in this post is AMAZING!! I’m super pumped for you!
Taylor Kiser says
Aw thanks so much girl! You made my day! 🙂
marcie says
Calamari is my favorite appetizer ever, and I love that this is baked! The coconut certainly doesn’t hurt either! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks Marcie! 😀