Bocadillo de Calamares (Madrid Fried Squid Sandwich)
Crisp fried squid rings in a crusty roll with garlicky alioli, the famous snack from the bars around Plaza Mayor in Madrid.
Made with Homemade mayonnaise. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.93 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Stir the crushed garlic into your ready made homemade mayonnaise (see the base recipe) to make a quick alioli. Chill until needed.
- 2
Pat the squid very dry with kitchen paper. Mix the flour and salt in a shallow dish and toss the squid in it until lightly coated, shaking off the excess.
- 3
Heat the oil in a deep pan to 180C. A cube of bread should turn golden in about 30 seconds.
- 4
Fry the squid in 3 batches for 1 to 2 minutes, until pale golden and crisp. Drain on kitchen paper and sprinkle with salt.
1 min 30 s - 5
Split the rolls and toast them lightly cut side down in a dry pan for 1 minute.
- 6
Spread both halves with the alioli, fill with the hot squid and serve straight away with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Do not overcook the squid. After 2 minutes it turns rubbery rather than tender.
- Dry squid is essential, or the flour turns pasty and the oil spits.
- Fry in small batches so the oil stays hot and the squid crisps.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten immediately. Leftover fried squid keeps 1 day in the fridge but does not reheat well, so cook only what you need.
Questions
Can I use frozen squid?
Yes. Thaw fully in the fridge overnight, drain and pat very dry. Frozen squid rings are fine and often tender.
Is it gluten free?
Not as written. For a gluten free version use gluten free flour or cornflour for the coating and gluten free rolls.
Can I bake the squid instead?
It will be less crisp. Toss in flour and oil and roast at 220C for 8 minutes. Frying gives the authentic result.
More made with homemade mayonnaise
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.