As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy for details.
Ever since I made the Keto Fried Chicken using whey protein isolate, I've been trying out different types of meat and seafood with it. I also have a Keto Tempura recipe that uses it! I love using it because you can literally coat anything with it and it'll seem like it was coated in flour. I've been craving some squid these past few days so I decided to make some Keto Fried Calamari!
In Japan, fish and seafood are mostly sold in their intact forms, meaning that their heads, skin, and tails are still attached. Now, I'm absolutely petrified of squid and octopus heads so this was a huge challenge for me! This was only the second time in my life where I had to cut the squid with its head still attached to it... I'm hoping that I will someday get used to fish and seafood having their heads attached, but for now, it's still a pretty scary thing for me to do. Anyway, I managed to cut it, sliced the tube and tail into a few slices and cut the tentacles off its head.
If you're using a fresh squid, I'd just be sure to wash the squid thoroughly after cutting it because there can still be a bit of blood or goo on it.
The secret to frying with protein powder is to coat the ingredient with an egg first. If you don't do that, then the protein will not stick and you'll get a huge mess in the oil. I recommend using the NOW brand of Whey Protein Isolate as it's unflavoured and practically has 0 carbs. As for the frying oil, I used some lard as I always do. Feel free to use whatever type of frying oil you use. Coconut oil and beef tallow are some healthy choices.
I think that Fried Calamari is usually served with a marinara sauce, but in Japan it's pretty typical to serve it with some lemon slices and dip it in a keto mayo recipe. This has become my favourite way to eat it. Plus, it's lower in carbs than using a tomato sauce or ketchup.
Recipe Card
Keto Fried Calamari
Ingredients
- 2 squids (about 170g)
- ½ tsp paprika powder
- ¼ tsp Himalayan salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper (or more)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup whey protein isolate (about 60g)
- oil for frying (I used lard)
Instructions
- If you have squid tubes, go ahead and slice them up. If you're using fresh squids, carefully remove the head and its insides. Cut the tentacles off. Wash the body thoroughly and slice the squid into 1cm slices.
- Pat dry the squids. (If you don't you risk having some water explode in the hot oil)
- In a bowl, combine the sliced squids, paprika powder, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Mix everything together and crack the egg inside. Mix until combined.
- Preheat the oil to 140-150C/285F-300F.
- Dip each squid slice into the protein powder and make sure all sides are coated properly. Once coated, add it to the hot oil and fry 30-60 seconds until nice and crispy. Transfer the squid to some parchment paper to absorb the excess oil.
- Serve with some lemon juice and mayonnaise or some marinara sauce!
Notes
Nutritional information is provided through calculations made on fatsecret.com. They are approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on mypcoskitchen.com. Sugar alcohols are included in the fiber count. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber (which include sugar alcohols).
All text, pictures & videos are copyright protected © by Mira Richard-Fioramore for My PCOS Kitchen.
Shares are very much appreciated, just make sure to share a link and not a screenshot.
Copy/pasting full recipe text to websites and social media is prohibited. Excerpts, single photos, and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.mypcoskitchen.com with appropriate link back to the original content.
Eric
Recipe says to coat the squid with all the ingredients and then crack the egg inside, whatever that means. Your comment says to make sure you dip the squid in the egg first. Please explain. Thanks.
Mira
Hi Eric. This is what I say: In a bowl, combine the sliced squids, paprika powder, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper.
---That means to add the squid and spices into a bowl.
Mix everything together
---That means to mix the spices together with the squid.
and crack the egg inside. Mix until combined.
---That means to add the egg inside the bowl after you've added/mixed the spices with the squid.
My comment: *Don't forget to mix the squid with the egg first before coating it with the protein powder or else it won't work!!
Reason: Some people think they don't need to add the egg to the squid, but if you don't add the egg the protein powder will NOT stick, so that's why I say to not forget to mix the squid with the egg first before coating it with the protein powder.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Jenni
I made this last night and although my batter did not sit the same as the pictures, it was light and fluffy and fried up really well. I will certainly be using the protein powder again for other recipes also.
Thank you for the share and inspiration!
Jacqueline
What else can be used instead of whey?... Coconut flour / almond meal?
Mira
Hi Jacquiline, you can use egg white powder and it'll be the same recipe, but dairy-free!
Mira
Hi Jacquiline, you can use egg white powder and it'll be the same recipe, but dairy-free!
Tina
I am so impressed with you coming up with the whey protein trick. It really is the best method of frying!
Kathryn Pitt
tried this with almond flour as I don`t like the taste of whey. It did not work very well. Certainly did not look as good as yours
Thanks for the recipes
Mira
Hi Kathryn, almond is definitely not the same as whey. You can use egg white protein powder instead of the whey and it works just as wonderfully and tastes amazing!
Son
How do you account for fat from the deep-fry?
Mira
Weigh the oil before and after is your only option. I personally don't really bother as it doesn't actually make a huge difference.
scwellness
Do you have to use whey protein? I have a plant based protein powder that is unflavored
Mira
I haven't tried so I can't really say! If you try let me know if it worked!
Garnet
Was just wondering if you ever did make this without the whey? I can't have whey, but these look so good!
Alana
Oh my goodness!! I can't wait to try this!!