This crispy fish batter creates a golden, crunchy coating for any white fish fillets like cod, haddock, or tilapia. The batter is light and airy, thanks to sparkling water or beer, making it the perfect base for fried fish. Enjoy with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and your favorite sides.
Author:Laura
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:10-12 minutes
Total Time:20-22 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Frying
Cuisine:American
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for flavor)
1 cup cold sparkling water (or cold beer for a beer-batter twist)
Vegetable oil, for frying
Fish fillets (cod, haddock, or tilapia work well)
Instructions
Prepare the Fish:
Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Season lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Mix the Batter:
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using).
Gradually whisk in the cold sparkling water or beer until the batter is smooth and slightly thick. Avoid overmixing to maintain the lightness.
Heat the Oil:
In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). The oil should be deep enough to submerge the fish for even frying.
Coat the Fish:
Dredge each fish fillet lightly in flour, shaking off the excess.
Dip the floured fish into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let any excess batter drip off.
Fry the Fish:
Carefully place the coated fish into the hot oil, frying in small batches to avoid overcrowding.
Cook for 3–5 minutes per side, or until the batter is golden brown and crispy. The fish should flake easily with a fork.
Remove the fish with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Serve:
Serve the crispy fish hot with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and a side of coleslaw or fries.
Notes
For an extra crispy batter, use ice-cold sparkling water or beer.
You can experiment with adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika to the batter for a touch of heat.
The batter can also be used for frying other seafood like shrimp or vegetables.