If your house doesn’t have a stove or an oven, you can easily try grilling squid using an air fryer, whether it’s dried or fresh squid. This method is quick, convenient, time-saving, and still ensures the result is fragrant, delicious, and tender. Follow the article below to learn how to grill dried squid with an air fryer in a simple way! Additionally, if you’re curious about other air fryer recipes, you can also check out how to make dried beef using an air fryer.
How to grill dried squid in an air fryer – What kind of squid should you choose?
Nowadays, many people are eager to discover unique and healthy snacks to enjoy with friends and family, and one of the top trending dishes is grilled dried squid using an air fryer. If you’re wondering how to grill dried squid and what type of squid gives the best results, read on for helpful tips to ensure your dish is both delicious and safe to eat.
Dried squid is typically made from fresh squid, especially squid tubes, that are cleaned, gutted, and then dried either by hanging on ropes or laid flat on drying racks. Among these, squid dried on hanging ropes tends to have better texture—it’s straighter, thicker, and often more flavorful due to improved air circulation during the drying process.
When selecting dried squid to grill in your air fryer, go for pieces with a thick, white powdery coating on the surface and a light pink hue. The ideal dried squid should also have intact tentacles, firm and straight flesh, and feel dry to the touch.
Avoid any squid that smells off, feels sticky or moist, as this could indicate improper drying or spoilage. These signs suggest the squid wasn’t naturally sun-dried long enough, which can affect both taste and safety. By choosing high-quality dried squid, you’ll elevate your air fryer snack and enjoy a truly satisfying experience.
How to Grill Dried Squid with an Air Fryer
Step 1: Preparation
If your family has 4-6 people, you can prepare 1-2 dried squids, around 9-10 cm in size. You should choose squids with a white powdery coating on the belly, light pink color on the back, and thick flesh. This type will be more flavorful and sweet when grilled.
Note: Avoid selecting dried squid with a fishy smell, or one that feels damp or sticky when touched, as it may not have been dried properly.
To make the grilled squid in the air fryer even more delicious, aromatic, and flavorful, you should prepare a bit of chili sauce for dipping.
Step 2: Prepare the Squid
Dried squid can be directly grilled in the air fryer without prior preparation. However, to kill bacteria, you can soak the squid in water for about 5-10 minutes and then let it drain.
This will help the dried squid expand, become softer, and sweeter, and when grilled, it will smell better while removing any bacteria from its surface.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer and Arrange the Squid in the Fryer
The air fryer should be preheated for 5 minutes at 180°C to reduce the moisture inside and ensure better air circulation, which will help the squid grill quickly and evenly on both sides.
At the same time, you should line the fryer with aluminum foil and arrange the dried squid inside the air fryer, ensuring each squid is about 2 cm apart to ensure thorough grilling on all sides.
This is how to grill dried squid using an air fryer, creating a tasty and evenly cooked dish.
The Ultimate Way to Enjoy Grilled Dried Squid
Grilled dried squid dipped in chili sauce has long been a go-to snack for many, especially during casual gatherings. It’s familiar, simple, and always hits the spot. But what if you could take this classic treat and give it a fun, flavorful twist?
Instead of sticking to the traditional way of serving dried squid, try reinventing it with a vibrant mix of young mango or crunchy ambarella (cóc). The tangy, slightly sour crunch of these fruits pairs perfectly with the rich, smoky flavor of grilled squid. Add in a handful of fresh Vietnamese coriander (rau răm), and you’ve got a dish that’s bold, refreshing, and totally addictive.
To prepare this upgraded version, start by thinly slicing green mango or ambarella and mixing it with shredded grilled dried squid. Then, add a splash of fish sauce, a pinch of sugar, some chili sauce, and either fresh chopped chili or chili powder—depending on how spicy you like it. Toss everything together until the flavors are well combined and the squid soaks up all that delicious seasoning.
Once it’s ready, plate it up and enjoy it while it’s still fresh. And of course, no perfect squid dish is complete without a few cold beers to share with friends. Cheers to a new take on an old favorite!
Readmore: Top 3 tasty and spicy methods for how to make shredded beef jerky at home
