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octopus – a perfect appetizer that’s surprisingly easy to make and sure to impress. The secret is to marinate before you cook, resulting in a succulent texture and unbelievable flavor. Within less than 30 minutes, you’ll be serving up a plate of tender and flavorful baby octopus.
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Easy Fried Baby Octopus Recipe

Crispy Fried Baby Octopus has a golden-brown crust and tender octopus – a perfect appetizer that’s surprisingly easy to make and sure to impress. The secret is to marinate before you cook, resulting in a succulent texture and unbelievable flavor. Within less than 30 minutes, you’ll be serving up a plate of tender and flavorful baby octopus.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Marinating Time30 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Baby Octopus
Servings: 4 As an appetizer
Author: Izzy

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound baby octopus fresh or thawed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for serving
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • vegetable oil as needed
  • lemon for garnish cut into wedges

Instructions

Marinate Baby Octopus

  • Clean baby octopus thoroughly.
  • Mix 1 teaspoon kosher salt with milk in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add baby octopus to the mixture and chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

Coat the Octopus

  • Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, dry oregano, ground black pepper, and cayenne in a large bowl.
  • Take a few octopus and shake off the excess milk. Then toss them in the flour mixture. Coat evenly.
  • Place the coated octopus in a colander. Repeat with the rest of the baby octopus.

Fry the Baby Octopus

  • Add 4-inches of oil to a deep fryer or pot over medium-high heat. Heat the oil to 350°F. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, you can test your oil by sprinkling some flour. If it starts bubbling and it’s ready.
  • One the oil is ready, gently add a few baby octopus to the oil using a pair of kitchen tongs. Fry for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Remove the octopus from the oil and place them onto the paper towel on top of a wire rack. Season with salt immediately. Repeat for the rest of the baby octopus. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!

Notes

  • Marinating for 30 minutes before frying will produce really tender octopus.
  • Make sure the oil temperature stays between 300-350˚F. The temperature may drop slightly after you add the octopus, so adjust the heat accordingly.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan during frying.

Nutrition

Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 910mg | Potassium: 494mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 273IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 8mg