How Can You Reheat Squid?

Calamari – the cooked name for squid – is a delicious seafood dish. Cooked properly, and it can be one of the best seafood dishes you have ever had. Although squid is not an expensive seafood dish, it is generally nice to have some leftovers. The biggest question, however, would be if you can reheat it or not. 

You can reheat squid. You can reheat it in the oven, a frying pan, an air fryer, or even a steamer. The only condition is that it should not be in the fridge for more than 3 to 4 days, and it should reach an internal temperature of 165 °F when reheated. 

The best way to eat seafood such as squid, octopus and other types of cephalopods and is when it is freshly fried, cooked, or grilled. Since squid is such a delicatessen reheating it to 165 °F and keeping it from turning it into a rubbery inedible dish can be more complex than it seems. 

Can you Reheat Squid?

Most seafood such as squid takes only minutes to cook or hours to re-tenderize, and you could genuinely ruin it by reheating it incorrectly, and that would be an utter waste of your time and taste buds. There are a number of ways to reheat squid correctly to get the best possible result.

However, whatever you do, please do not nuke your leftover squid in the microwave. Although this might seem like a quick and easy way, it is not worth it. Microwaves are not the best way to reheat your squid or any seafood for that matter.

It could degrade the texture of the squid entirely and you will be left with a rubberlike dish that you can barely chew. Since microwaves break down fatty oil, it could also lead to some bad smells coming from the squid that would make it unpleasant to eat. 

The Best Ways To Reheat Squid

Reheating Squid In The Oven

The best way to reheat squid leftover is to reheat it in the oven.

What you will need:

• Some tin foil and an oven-proof dish or baking tray(this will depend on how much you have to reheat)
• A teaspoon of water or oil, such as butter or olive oil
• A food thermometer (if you have one)

The how-to:

1. Preheat your oven to 370°F (109°C) – preheating ensures that the squid will start to warm the minute you put it in the oven, giving it less time to become rubber.
2. Line a baking tray or oven-proof dish and place your squid onto it. Give it a light coating of oil or water (use a spray bottle if using water and sprinkle it lightly). The water or oil will ensure that it does not dry out when reheating. 
3. Cover the baking tray or oven-proof dish with tin foil. This will ensure that the moisture is contained and will help it not dry out too quickly. 
4. Reheat the squid for about 10 minutes. Large pieces like stuffed squid will need to be turned every 5 minutes.
5. If you have a food thermometer, it should be safely reheated to reach an inside temperature of 165°F.
6. If it isn’t done after 10 minutes, you can check it every 5 minutes until it is ready. 
7. This method works well for previously deep-fried squid, lightly coated pan-fried squid, stuffed squid, squid kebabs, and paella dishes.
8. Although it would not taste precisely the same as when it was freshly cooked, this method should bring you quite a bit of satisfaction, that is, if you don’t leave it in the oven for too long. 

Reheating Squid In A Frying Pan

Another good option for reheating squid/ squid is in a frying pan on the stovetop. 

What you will need:

• A frying pan or wok
• A bit of oil; butter, olive oil, non-stick cooking spray -any of these will work

The how-to:

1. Warm your pan or wok on the stovetop without putting anything in it. 
2. When it feels hot – don’t touch the pan; hold your hand close to the bottom of the pam and feel if the heat reaches your hand. Add the squid and coat with a bit of oil or teaspoon of water. 
3. Toss it around with the oil or water and fry the squid for several minutes until it is warm or reaches a temperature of 165°F. 
4. Because a frying pan will heat it much faster than an oven, you should pay close attention to tossing it around in the pan and ensuring it does not burn. 
5. If the squid comes with a sauce, you do not need to add the oil. However, a drop of water will help that the sauce does not dry out completely. The sauce should also only simmer and not boil when you are reheating the sauce. 
6. This method works well for previously deep-fried squid, lightly coated pan-fried squid, stuffed squid, seafood stir-fries, risotto, pasta, and paella dishes.

Reheating Squid In An Air Fryer

What you will need:

• Air fryer
• Air fryer basket
• A drop of oil

 The how-to:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Preheating here serves the same purpose here as it does your oven. 
2. When the air fryer is ready, add the squid to the basket of the air fryer. 
3. Lightly coat it with oil so that it does not completely dry out. 
4. Reheat it for 3 – 4 minutes. 
5. This method works well for previously deep-fried squid, lightly coated pan-fried squid, stuffed squid, squid rings, squid kebabs.

Reheating Squid In A Steamer

If you have a food steamer, you can always reheat the squid in it. The steam will be enough not to dry the food out and turn it into a rubbery or mushy mess. 

Again though, it will only take a few minutes to reheat, and it is best to be cautious not to overdo it.

What you will need: 

• Only your steamer 
• A teaspoon of water

The How-to:

1. Heat your steamer. 
2. When ready, add your squid to it and reheat for about 5 or 6 minutes until it is warmed up. 
3. This method works with seafood stir-fries, risotto, pasta dishes and paella dishes, and all other dishes with sauce.
4. The biggest benefit of reheating squid in a steamer is that it can keep warm in the steamer until you are ready to dish it out and eat it. 

Should You reheat Squid

You should definitely reheat squid, if it has not been in the fridge longer than 4 days. It makes a great leftover snack or can even be incorporated into a completely new meal.

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The long and short of it is that squid can be reheated and should be reheated unless you want to enjoy it cold. Whether you reheat it in the oven, pan-fry, air-fry, or steam it, it ends up being your decision.

If you have loads to warm up and want to serve it all at once, it is recommended that you use the oven. It might take longer, but it will warm it all up evenly and serve the purpose right. 

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