Description
This crispy fish batter recipe delivers perfectly golden, light, and crunchy fish every time using simple ingredients and a foolproof method backed by kitchen-tested technique.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- 1 cup ice-cold sparkling water or club soda
- 1 large egg (optional)
- 1.5 lbs firm white fish fillets (cod, haddock, tilapia, or halibut)
- Additional flour for dusting
- Neutral high-smoke-point oil for frying
Instructions
- Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, pepper, and paprika in a large bowl.
- Create a well in the center and slowly whisk in ice-cold sparkling water.
- Add beaten egg if using and mix gently just until combined.
- Pat fish fillets completely dry and lightly dust with flour.
- Heat oil to 350°F in a deep pot or fryer.
- Dip floured fish into batter, allowing excess to drip off.
- Carefully lower fish into hot oil in small batches.
- Fry for 4–6 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp.
- Remove fish and drain on a wire rack.
- Season lightly with salt and serve immediately.
Notes
Cold batter and correct oil temperature are essential for a light, crispy texture. Do not overmix the batter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: crispy fish batter, fish batter recipe, fried fish batter, crunchy fish