Crispy Fish Batter Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Fish Batter is the secret to perfectly golden, crunchy fish that stays light and delicious. Whether you’re making classic fish and chips or a simple fried fish dinner, this batter creates a delightful texture that will impress any seafood lover.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cold sparkling water (or club soda)
• 1 egg (optional, for extra crispiness)
• 4-6 pieces white fish fillets (such as cod or haddock)
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, helping the batter stick better.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Step 3: Slowly pour in the cold sparkling water while whisking until the batter is smooth. If using, beat in the egg now for extra crispiness.
4. Step 4: Check the batter’s consistency; it should coat the back of a spoon without being too thick. Add a little more sparkling water if needed.
5. Step 5: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C), enough to submerge the fish fillets.
6. Step 6: Dip each fish fillet into the batter, coating evenly.
7. Step 7: Carefully place the battered fish into the hot oil. Fry for 4-5 minutes until the batter turns golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.
8. Step 8: Remove the fish and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Tips & Variations

• For an extra light batter, use ice-cold sparkling water straight from the fridge.
• Try swapping half the all-purpose flour with rice flour for additional crunch.
• Season the batter with a pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika for a subtle spicy kick.
• If you prefer gluten-free, substitute with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your baking powder is gluten-free as well.

Storage

Fried fish is best enjoyed immediately for maximum crispiness. If you must store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, use a hot oven or air fryer to help restore crispness; avoid microwaving as it can make the batter soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this batter ahead of time?

It’s best to prepare the batter just before frying to maintain its carbonation, which helps create a light, crispy texture.

What type of fish works best with this batter?

White, flaky fish like cod, haddock, pollock, or tilapia are ideal because they hold up well during frying and complement the crispy batter.

Crispy Fish Batter Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 103 reviews

This Crispy Fish Batter recipe delivers perfectly golden, light, and crunchy fish fillets ideal for a delicious homemade fried fish dish. Using a combination of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and sparkling water, this batter creates a crispy coating that puffs up beautifully when fried. Optional egg adds extra richness and crispiness. Perfect for cod, haddock, or your favorite white fish.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Batter Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cold sparkling water (or club soda)
• 1 egg (optional, for extra crispiness)

Fish

• 4–6 pieces white fish fillets (such as cod or haddock)

For Frying

• Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fish: Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step ensures the batter adheres well to the surface of the fish.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Slowly pour the cold sparkling water into the dry ingredients while whisking continuously to form a smooth batter. If using, beat in the egg now to add extra richness and crispiness.
4. Check Batter Consistency: The batter should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still fluid enough to drip smoothly. Adjust by adding a little more sparkling water if the batter is too thick or flour if too thin.
5. Heat the Oil: In a large frying pan or deep fryer, pour enough vegetable oil to submerge fish fillets. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), monitoring temperature with a thermometer for best results.
6. Coat the Fish in Batter: Dip each dried fish fillet into the batter, ensuring an even and generous coating over the entire piece.
7. Fry the Fish: Carefully lower the battered fish into the hot oil. Fry each piece for about 4-5 minutes, turning halfway through to achieve an even golden brown and crispy exterior.
8. Drain and Serve: Remove the fried fish with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and crispy for the best taste.

Notes

• Using sparkling water or club soda helps create an airy, light batter due to the carbonation.
• Drying the fish properly before battering is crucial for the batter to stick well.
• The optional egg enhances the batter’s crispiness but can be omitted for an egg-free version.
• Maintain oil temperature around 350°F to ensure crispy texture without greasy fish.
• Do not overcrowd the pan while frying to avoid temperature drops in the oil.

Keywords: crispy fish batter, fried fish, batter recipe, homemade fish fry, crispy fried fish