Calamares a la Romana, this dish holds a special place in Spain’s culinary heart. There are so many reasons behind it. It is one of the country’s beloved snacks, which is simple, flavourful and crispy. You can enjoy this tapa wherever you are in Spain. This dish gives a true taste of tradition. You can have this with your friends and family. Its essence is found in straightforward preparation.
This dish has a perfect texture. A satisfying crunch in the crispy batter and the soft inside. Many people search this recipe by using different names and phrases like “calamares a la romana de la abuela” or “como hacer calamares a la romana como en los bares.” This dish is old-fashioned and was transferred from my grandmother. A most comforting and satisfying dish.
In this blog post, you’ll learn how to make calamari a la romana step by step. You will love this dish. I am so excited to share this dish with you.
Table of Contents
What Are Calamares a la Romana?
Calamares a la Romana is a classic Spanish dish that is translated to Roman-style squid. The name a la Romana refers to Roman-style batter, which usually consists of flour, egg, and sometimes a touch of sparkling water. You can have a beer to make it extra light. Once it is coated, the squid is quickly fried in hot oil to achieve a perfect crunch.
This dish is crunchy, juicy and tender. You should deep-fry these rings until they turn golden and crispy. It is served as a tapas or a quick snack. It is always a dish of pleasure.
If you’re looking for the perfect receta calamares a la romana, you’re in the right place. Now you will make an authentic dish with me.
Basic Ingredients
Making delicious calamari a la Romana starts with just a few basic ingredients — simple, fresh, and easy to find. Here’s what you’ll need for the classic version, along with a few optional additions to suit your taste.
- Fresh squid
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs
- Salt
- Olive oil
- Lemon wedges
These ingredients are the heart of any good receta calamari a la romana — simple but flavorful.
Optional Additions:
- A pinch of black pepper or smoked paprika for extra seasoning.
- A splash of sparkling water or beer. This gives you a good texture.
- Garlic powder or a dash of lemon zest in the flour for a subtle twist.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow this simple step-by-step method to do this easily and get perfectly crispy squid rings, just like in Spain:
Step 1: Clean and Slice the Squid
If your squid is not cleaned, start by cleaning your fresh squid. Remove the head, beak, and innards. Peel off the thin skin after getting cleaned. Rinse the peeled squid under cold water. Slice the body into even rings about 1 cm thick. Pat dry with paper towels — the drier, the better for crispiness.
Step 2: Soak in Milk
This is an optional step but very crucial for extra tenderness. Soak the rings in milk for about 30 minutes. It softens the squid and reduces any rubbery texture.
Step 3: Prepare the Batter
In one medium bowl, Whisk together all-purpose flour and a teaspoon of salt. Beat the eggs for finishing. It is a trick used by many Spanish cooks.
Step 4: Coat the Squid
Use a small amount of extra flour and shake off the excess flour. Double-coating helps you to create the chef-style golden crust.
Step 5: Fry Until Golden
Heat olive oil in a deep frying pan (about 170–180°C / 340–355°F). Carefully fry the rings in the hot olive oil. Fry the squid rings in small batches for 1-2 minutes per side.
Step 6: Drain and Serve
After frying the calamari, sprinkle them with extra salt. Serve immediately after frying. Lemon wedges are also helpful.
And that’s it! Now you will love to know about cómo hacer calamares a la romana. It translates as just like how to make Roman-style squid in Spain — crispy, golden, and full of flavour.
From timeless tapas to hearty stews, the top Spanish dishes of 2025 prove that tradition and bold flavor never go out of style.
Pro Tips for Crispy Calamares from Spanish Kitchens
There are many tips to follow in a recipe for calamari a la romana. Whether you’re cooking at home or in a busy tapas bar, these tricks help you in this process.
Key Tips for a Light and Crunchy Batter:
- Dry the squid: Pat, pat and pat to dry again. Any moisture will create steam whenever put in a hot oil. It will also lead to a soggy and chewy texture.
- Use cold ingredients: Use cold eggs and chilled beer or sparkling water. It is a game-changer. This will help you to make the batter puffier and crispier when it can be fried.
- Oil Temperature: Maintaining the temperature is the key point. Fry in small batches to keep the temperature constant.
- Double-coat for extra crunch: Use the double-coat method.
- Abuela’s tip: Some traditional cooks add a touch of cornstarch to the flour for an extra crisp finish. Others mix in a pinch of baking powder for lift.
Whenever you want to enjoy the flavour and serve calamari a la romana crujientes, your favourite tapas, follow these tips.
Calamares a la Romana in the Air Fryer
If you are looking for a lighter way to enjoy Calamares a la Romana in the air fryer. It is the best option. It gives a deeper crunch, taste and flavour.
Why Use an Air Fryer?
Air fryers are perfect for recipes like this. Healthier cooking and less oil. They circulate hot air to cook the squid rings evenly and make them crispy without needing a deep fryer. It’s a healthier option that doesn’t sacrifice flavour or texture.
Best Settings in the Air Fryer:
- Temperature: 190°C / 375°F
- Time: 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through
- Tip: Lightly spray the coated rings with olive oil before cooking to boost crispiness
Quick Steps:
- Prepare the squid rings and coat them with flour and egg as usual.
- Preheat the air fryer.
- Place the rings in a single layer in the basket — avoid overlapping.
- Spray with a bit of olive oil.
- Cook for 5 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook 3–5 more minutes until golden.
How to Make Calamares Like in Spanish Bars
There are a few techniques and a simple, high-quality approach. Our goal is to make calamari simple, crispy and tender. Many food lovers search for “como hacer calamari a la romana como en los bares.” — They aim to recreate that perfect balance of crispiness, tenderness, and flavour that you find in tapas bars across Spain.
What Makes Bar-Style Calamares Special?
There are many cities, and every city has its famous cuisine or tapas. In cities like Madrid, you’ll often find calamari served as a bocadillo. It is simply stuffed inside a crusty baguette. On the coast, especially in Andalucía and Galicia, these cities are preferred to serve as a side of aioli or simple homemade garlic mayo, plus cold beer or vermouth.
How to Get the Bar-Style Experience at Home:
- Serve this dish on a small plate with a lemon and dipping sauce. Presentation really matters.
- Use quality oil for frying, especially hot oil, to make it crunchy.
- Use a double batter for strength for crispiness. You can enjoy this with a drink.
- Calamares are best eaten when they are fresh, just like a style followed in Spanish bars.
Learning how to make Calamares a la Romana like in the bars (como hacer calamares a la romana como en los bares) is about more than just ingredients — it’s about the vibe.
Serving Ideas
There are many serving ideas to serve with Calamares a la Romana because it is not just a dish; it’s a whole vibe. In Spain, they shared this with friends, families and their loved ones.
What to Drink with Calamares a la Romana
- Cerveza (beer): It is a Spanish choice. It enhanced the richness of the fried squid.
- Vermouth: This drink is especially popular in Madrid; it is paired with orange and olives very beautifully with salt.
- White wine: A dry Albariño or Verdejo enhances the squid’s flavour.
Tapas to Serve Alongside
For a true and special enjoyable Spanish experience, serve with a few tapas.
- Patatas Bravas – Fried potato cubes with spicy brava sauce and garlic aioli
- Pan con Tomate – Rustic bread rubbed with tomato, garlic, and olive oil
- Aceitunas – Marinated olives as a salty bite between dishes
- Tortilla Española – Spanish potato omelet, soft and savoury
Set everything in small dishes, serve the dish and enjoy the Calamres.
Conclusion
Calamares a la Romana, a crunchy and golden symbol of Spain’s love, is such a delicious meal with a whole vibe. It is more than just a recipe. Whenever you want to enjoy the dishes of Grandmother. You can include this dish in lunch, dinner or a side dish. Many people think it is a tradition to follow.
Now you can learn how to make classic fried calamari or Air fryer calamares. I hope the above guideline will help you to enjoy this recipe. Share your experiences to make calamares. Don’t forget to give me reviews of this dish.
