Description
Crispy fish batter brings golden, restaurant-quality magic to seafood lovers seeking crunch and flavor. Home cooks can easily master this simple recipe, creating perfect golden-brown fish that delights taste buds with its irresistible texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup cold sparkling water (or cold beer)
- Fish fillets (cod, haddock, or tilapia)
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Cooking Ingredient:
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the fish by thoroughly patting fillets with absorbent paper, eliminating any residual moisture. Delicately season with salt and pepper, then reserve for subsequent steps.
- Craft the crisp coating by blending flour, cornstarch, baking powder, seasonings, and aromatic garlic powder in a spacious mixing vessel. Methodically incorporate chilled sparkling water or beer, whisking until achieving a silky, moderately dense consistency. Maintain a gentle touch to preserve the batter’s airiness.
- Elevate vegetable oil in a substantial skillet or deep-frying apparatus to precise 350°F, ensuring sufficient depth for complete fish submersion and uniform cooking.
- Gently dust each fillet with a gossamer layer of flour, meticulously shaking off surplus. Immerse the floured fish into the prepared batter, guaranteeing comprehensive coverage. Allow superfluous batter to cascade away naturally.
- Strategically introduce battered fish into sizzling oil, executing in modest quantities to prevent overcrowding. Monitor carefully, rotating once to achieve a resplendent golden exterior and crisp texture. Validate doneness through effortless fish flaking. Extract using a perforated utensil and position on absorbent surfaces to eliminate excess lipids.
- Present immediately alongside zesty tartar sauce, vibrant citrus wedges, and complementary accompaniments like tangy coleslaw or golden potato frites.
Notes
- Choose white fish with firm, mild flesh like cod, haddock, or halibut for the best crispy texture and flavor absorption.
- Ensure fish is completely dry before battering to prevent soggy coating and achieve maximum crispiness.
- Cold sparkling water or beer creates lighter, airier batter by introducing more bubbles and preventing gluten development.
- Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350°F to guarantee crispy exterior without greasy or undercooked fish.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent temperature drops and ensure even, golden-brown frying.
- Use cornstarch in batter for extra crunch and lighter coating compared to traditional flour-only batters.
- Drain fried fish on paper towels to remove excess oil and maintain crispy texture.
- Experiment with adding herbs like dill or spices such as paprika to batter for enhanced flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg