Bocadillo de Calamares (Madrid Squid Sandwich)
Crisp fried squid rings piled into a crusty roll with creamy mayonnaise and lemon, a Madrid classic.
Made with Basic bread dough and Homemade mayonnaise. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 10
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.24 a head
- Oven230°C (210°C fan)
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
Divide your ready made bread dough (see the base recipe) into 4 pieces of 150 g and shape each into a rustic baguette style roll about 20 cm long. Place on a lined tray, cover and prove for 30 minutes.
30 min - 2
Heat the oven to 230°C (210°C fan) and bake the rolls for 15 to 18 minutes, until crusty and golden. Cool on a rack.
16 min 40 s - 3
Pat the squid rings very dry with kitchen paper. Mix the flour, salt and paprika on a plate and coat the rings, shaking off the excess.
- 4
Pour the oil into a deep, heavy pan so it is no more than half full and heat to 180 C. Fry the squid in 3 batches for 1 to 2 minutes, until golden. Drain on kitchen paper and sprinkle with a little salt.
1 min 30 s - 5
Mix the mayonnaise with the juice of one lemon. Split the rolls and spread generously on both sides.
- 6
Fill with the hot calamares and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Do not overcook the squid. 1 to 2 minutes in hot oil keeps it tender. Longer makes it rubbery.
- Dry squid fries crisp, so dab it very well before coating, and fry in small batches so the oil stays hot.
- Bocadillos are served in Madrid bars with nothing but squid and sometimes mayonnaise. Skip any lettuce or tomato.
Storing and freezing
Eat straight away while the squid is crisp. Fried squid does not reheat well. Keep leftover rolls for 1 day, and cooked squid, if any, in the fridge for no more than 1 day.
Questions
Where does the bocadillo de calamares come from?
It is closely linked with Madrid, which is far from the sea. It is a classic served in bars around the Plaza Mayor, often with a beer. Nobody agrees on exactly how it started.
Can I use frozen squid?
Yes. Thaw it fully in the fridge overnight, then dry it very well before coating. Frozen squid rings are widely sold in UK supermarkets and work well.
Can I make this egg free?
The mayonnaise contains egg, so no. Use a shop bought egg free mayonnaise, or a squeeze of lemon and olive oil, and check the label for the egg free marking.
More made with basic bread dough
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.