Description
If you’re craving that restaurant-style crunch at home, this crispy fish batter recipe delivers every time. It’s light, golden, and perfectly seasoned — with a crisp coating that clings beautifully to any white fish. The secret lies in the cold, bubbly liquid that creates air pockets in the batter, giving it that irresistible crunch. Whether you’re serving it with fries for a traditional fish and chips dinner or sliding it into tacos, this recipe never disappoints.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 cup cold soda water or beer
- 1 lb white fish fillets (cod, haddock, tilapia, or snapper)
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Pat the fish dry and lightly dust with flour.
- In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, pepper, and optional spices.
- Gradually whisk in the cold soda water or beer until just combined.
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Dip fish pieces in batter and gently place them in hot oil.
- Fry in batches until golden and crisp, about 4–6 minutes per side.
- Drain on a wire rack and serve immediately with lemon wedges or tartar sauce.
Notes
- Keep the batter cold until ready to use. Do not overmix. For extra crispness, use a 1:3 mix of cornstarch and flour. Always season the fish right after frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: British-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 70mg