This Beer Battered Fried Fish is deliciously crispy, airy, and light! Perfect for Baja-style Fish Tacos, Fish Taco Bowls, or with fries, a salad and lots of lemon juice!
Only 4 ingredients. Ready in 35 minutes and 3 steps.
Beer Battered Fried Fish
Making delicious crispy golden fried fish at home is *so* easy when you have a good batter recipe that gives you light and crisp without sogginess.
Surprisingly, the less ingredients you use, the better so our favorite beer battered fish only uses 4 ingredients because all you need to get that texture is already in the beer!
This Beer Battered Fried Fish is:
- Crispy, airy and light.
- Not weighted down by eggs.
- Tender and flaky on the inside.
- Ready in 3 steps.
- Perfect for a classic fish plate, Baja Fish Tacos or Fish Taco Bowls!
- Satisfying and comforting.
- Kid-friendly and fun!
Ingredients for Beer Battered Fried Fish
Flour. We use all-purpose flour for our batter.
Salt, for flavor.
Beer, cold. Pick a light beer like Corona, Modelo, or pilseners. This is where the magic happens! Beer is carbonated and all those bubbles expand in hot oil creating lots of tiny air pockets without having to add baking powder.
The acidity and alcohol slow gluten’s formation so the batter puffs up and fries light and crispy, not chewy or soggy. Beer also adds a subtle malt-like flavor without tasting beer-y which makes even the mildest white fish stand out. Don’t go for dark beers, they’re too heavy and bitter for this recipe.
Oil, like vegetable, sunflower, canola, peanut or lard if you want to keep it Baja-inspired for tacos!
How to make Beer Battered Fried Fish
STEP ONE: Preheat the oil. In a saucepan or skillet, add enough oil for the fish to be fully covered and allow to reach 350F-365F (175C-185C) over medium-low heat. This will take a few minutes so, meanwhile, go to step 2.
STEP TWO: Prepare the coating and batter bowls. In a large plate or shallow bowl, add flour and salt for the coating, mix, then toss with the fish. In a separate bowl, add the flour, salt and beer and mix until smooth: the batter will be a bit runny, it's okay, you're supposed to dip the coated fish and fry.
STEP THREE: Fry. Quickly dip each fish stick into the batter then add to the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes or until golden, flip then fry for another 3-4 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a plate lined with a few paper towels to absorb any extra grease.
What to eat with beer battered fish
These are some of our favorite serving ideas for crispy fried fish, to make it even more delicious!
- Cilantro Lime Slaw (fun, zesty, refreshing)
- Corn on the cob (summery)
- Stovetop Mac And Cheese (quick, creamy, kid-friendly)
- Classic fries
- Yuca Fries or Patacones (Fried Green Plantains) (fun, crispy, tropical)
- Greek Lemon Rice or plain rice (zesty, refreshing)
- Turn into Fish Tacos or Fish Taco Bowls (Baja-style, delicious)
- Lime Pickled Onions and salad (bold and refreshing)
- Passion Fruit Juice (the best drink ever for fried fish!!!)
Our favorite combo is plain rice, Lime Pickled Onions, Patacones and Passion Fruit Juice!
Our favorite Dips for fried Fish
If you’re looking for some delicious dips to add to your fried fish, here are our favorite ones!
- Chipotle Cream (the one in the pictures: smoky, slightly spicy, Baja-style)
- Colombian Pineapple Sauce (sweet, summery, spiced)
- Cilantro Garlic Sauce (creamy, refreshing)
- Avocado Hot Sauce (spicy, flavorful)
- Salsa de Ajo (Garlic Sauce) (creamy, garlicky)
- Colombian Aji (spicy, zesty)
Storing and Reheating Instructions
Storing Instructions: Store any leftovers in an air-tight container, lined with paper towels to minimize sogginess, in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Keep in mind that fried food is typically best eaten fresh as the crispy texture will soften up when stored!
Reheating Instructions: Reheat on a hot skillet (best if cast-iron) over high heat until the fish is hot and crisp again, add a light splash of oil, if desired!
HAPPY COOKING!! I hope you'll love this Beer Battered Fried Fish Recipe recipe as much as I do!
PS: Please leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you make it! Your comments make my day!! You can also tag me on Instagram @itsdamnspicy 🌈💘
More deliciously crispy recipes you’ll love:
Beer Battered Fish
Ingredients
- Oil (sunflower, vegetable, canola, peanut or lard)
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour (for coating)
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoon salt
- 2 lb (900 g) tilapia (or cod, pollock, or mahi-mahi)
- 3 cups (370 g) all-purpose flour (for the batter)
- 20 oz (600 ml) light beer (like Corona, Modelo or pilseners, don't use dark beers as they're too heavy and bitter)
Instructions
- Preheat the oil. In a saucepan or skillet, add enough oil for the fish to be fully covered and allow to reach 350F-365F (175C-185C) over medium-low heat. This will take a few minutes so, meanwhile, go to step 2.
- Prepare the coating and batter. In a large plate or shallow bowl, add flour and salt for the coating, mix, then toss with the fish. In a separate bowl, add the flour, salt and beer (or water) and mix until smooth: the batter will be a bit runny, it's okay, you're supposed to dip the coated fish and fry.
- Fry. Quickly dip each fish stick into the batter then add to the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes or until golden, flip then fry for another 3-4 minutes or until golden.Transfer to a plate lined with a few paper towels to absorb any extra grease. Enjoy!
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