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fried octopus

Fried Octopus – A Crispy Delight from the Sea

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: TalesOfaKitchen
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Seafood
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Description

Discover the crispy, tender delight of Fried Octopus at Tales Of A Kitchen. A perfect seafood recipe for any occasion, bursting with flavor and texture!


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 12 lbs fresh or frozen octopus, cleaned
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cornmeal or breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crispiness)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Optional Garnishes and Sides

  • Lemon wedges
  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Garlic aioli or spicy mayo for dipping

Instructions

  1. Pre-cook the octopus: If the octopus isn’t pre-cooked, simmer it in water with bay leaves, garlic, and salt for 40–60 minutes until tender. Allow it to cool, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Prepare the coating: In a bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. If you’re making a batter, whisk in ice-cold sparkling water until smooth.
  3. Heat the oil: In a deep pan or fryer, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
  4. Coat the octopus
    Dip the octopus pieces into the dry flour mixture or batter, ensuring they are evenly coated.
  5. Fry the octopus: Fry the pieces in small batches for 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  6. Serve and enjoy: Serve the fried octopus hot with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce, like garlic aioli or spicy chili mayo.

Notes

  • To save time, use pre-cooked frozen octopus, which is often tenderized during processing.
  • Experiment with seasonings! Add cayenne for heat or dried herbs for a Mediterranean twist.
  • For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs instead of a flour-based batter.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 350
  • Fat: 16g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg