Beer Battered Fish Recipe (Cod or Haddock) (2024)

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By Shawn Williams

3 from 2 votes

Aug 13, 2018, Updated Feb 28, 2024

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Beer Battered Fish Recipe (Cod or Haddock) (2)

Growing up in New England, beer-battered fish has always been an absolute staple. Being such a short drive from Maine, Coastal New Hampshire, and Boston has spoiled me. I have fond childhood memories of grabbing lunch at some of the mostunassuming beach restaurants in Rye, NH, with some of the freshest fried fish platters I’ve EVER had. So good, it’s worth the hour drive. The closer to the ocean, the better it gets.

Beer battered fish has always been one of my favorite recipes to cook. I’ve experimented over the years with different beers and different methods, however, I think I’ve honed in on the perfect combination/recipe.

A crisp coconut crust is also perfection for cod. I love that it really amps up what is otherwise a plain fish. Want even more breading but not up for frying? Try crunching up some crackers and baking your cod. Roasted fingerling potatoes will be the essential “chip” to your fish.

Table of Contents

  • Simple Beer Batter
  • Preparing the Fish
  • How to Fry Beer Battered Fish
  • More Fish Recipes You’ll Love
  • Beer Battered Fish Recipe

Simple Beer Batter

The batter itself is only made with two ingredients (plus some spices for extra flavor). Beer and all-purpose flour, whisked together to form a creamy and thick batter. Yes, no egg required. The only tip is to get all the lumps out and let the batter rest for 10 minutes before battering fish so the air bubbles can settle out.

Made with a hoppy, citrusy New England style IPA, this beer-battered cod/haddock will literally melt in your mouth. Pale ales and traditional IPAs work just as well. Just remember, deeper colored and more hoppy beers add more body and flavor!

Preparing the Fish

Thinner pieces of cod or haddock make for the best results, as it fries quickly and makes more room for the crunchy exterior in every bite. Also, smaller pieces are easier to manage and flip in the pan without falling apart. I’d stick to about 6-8 ounce portions of fish.

Cod or haddock is usually sold in large, long fillets. This is perfectly fine and actually better. You can easily slice a large filet across several times into smaller individual portions ideal for frying.

How to Fry Beer Battered Fish

There are a few ways you can pan-fry beer-battered fish. You can use A LOT of vegetable or canola oil and deep fry the fish filets, or you can use roughly 1 inch of oil in a cast iron skillet or dutch oven and flip halfway through. I personally like the latter approach—it conserves oil and makes cleanup easier (plus it renders the same results).

Season the filets with salt and pepper, dredge in flour, and then dip in the beer batter, transferring directly to the hot oil. It’s as simple as that, and even more delicious.

This wouldn’t be your traditional New England beer-battered fish and chips without a side of homemade fries.Don’t forget the ketchup and tarter sauce!

More Fish Recipes You’ll Love

Blackened Fish Tacos Recipe

Grilled Swordfish with Lemon Butter

Cilantro Lime Salmon in Foil Recipe

Garlic Butter Steelhead Trout in Foil Recipe

Beer Battered Fish Recipe (Cod or Haddock) (7)
Beer Battered Fish Recipe (Cod or Haddock) (8)
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Beer Battered Fish Recipe

By: Shawn Williams

Servings: 4

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

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Beer Battered Fish Recipe (Cod or Haddock) (9)

Simple and delicious beer battered cod or haddock made with a juicy, New England Style IPA.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cod or haddock filet
  • 12 ounce IPA or pale ale of your choice, citrusy, fruity, hoppy IPAs are best
  • 2 cups flour, plus 1/2 cup for dredging
  • 2-3 cups vegetable or canola oil, 1/2 – 1 inch of oil in pan for frying
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • pinch of paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  • Pour 12 ounce IPA into a medium bowl, whisk in 2 cups of flour, one cup at a time, until smooth. Add garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Whisk and let sit for 10 minutes while prepping the fish. Place 1/2 cup of flour on a plate. Set aside.

  • In a large dutch oven or cast iron skillet, bring 1/2 – 1 inch of oil to 365° F. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, place on medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until oil is hot (you can test by adding a small sliver of fish, you want it to simmer vigorously when fish is added).

  • Meanwhile, cut the cod filet into 4 equal pieces, pat dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.

  • Dredge cod filets in flour, and then submerge in the beer batter. Let excess drip off and then immediately transfer to the oil. Fry each piece for 3-4 minutes per side, flipping once until golden brown.

  • Place cod filets on a paper towel lined plate to drain for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with lemon wedges, ketchup, tarter sauce, and rosemary fries.

Nutrition

Calories: 366kcalCarbohydrates: 51.2gProtein: 28gFat: 1.6gSaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 119mgFiber: 1.7gSugar: 0.4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner/Lunch

Cuisine: English

Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenswagger or tag #kitchenswagger!

About Shawn Williams

My name is Shawn, author behind Kitchen Swagger. I'm a food & drink enthusiast bringing you my own simple and delicious restaurant-inspired recipes.

Read More About Me

Beer Battered Fish Recipe (Cod or Haddock) (2024)

FAQs

Which is better for fish and chips, cod or haddock? ›

Haddock is the fish that most chefs prefer for fish and chips. The texture isn't as flaky or tender as cod but the meat has more flavor. Haddock has a slight sweetness that pairs well with the buttery flavor of the batter. It tastes delicious dunked in a curry sauce.

What kind of beer is best for beer battered fish? ›

Most are fair game for beer batter (Pilsner Urquell, Stella Artois, Modelo, and Firestone Pivo Pils are particularly nice), with the exception of Bohemian pilsner, which comes with a heavy dose of spices that can change the overall flavor of your dish. In a beer batter, pilsner is one of the more low-key options.

Should I add egg to beer batter? ›

Egg: An egg creates a more delicate crust and helps seal in moisture. Seasonings: Season the beer batter with garlic powder, black pepper, and seasoning salt. Beer: Of course, you'll need beer! A light beer will give you a milder flavor, while a dark beer will have a richer taste.

What kind of fish does Gordon Ramsay fish and chips use? ›

Crispy Cod.

Explore all of our delicious favorites, from cod with a perfect golden crisp to dirty chips with truffle and parmesan. Be warned, extreme hunger and cravings may ensue.

What fish do Brits use for fish and chips? ›

In Britain and Ireland, cod and haddock appear most commonly as the fish used for fish and chips, but vendors also sell many other kinds of fish, especially other white fish, such as pollock, hake or coley, plaice, skate, ray, and huss or rock salmon (a term covering several species of dogfish and similar fish).

How do you get batter to stick to fish? ›

Milk: The proteins in milk help the batter adhere to the fish and promote browning. Water: Use very cold water for the crispiest results. Baking powder: Baking powder ensures a light and crispy exterior.

Do fish and chip shops use beer batter? ›

It's the fish batter used by all the best fish 'n chips shops. Here's what makes beer batter so good: Yeast and carbonation in beer acts like yeast in bread, making the batter go puffy as it cooks so it's thin and light rather than thick and greasy.

Does the beer matter in beer batter? ›

First, the bubbles provide lift as they escape from the batter during frying. Second, the carbonation makes the batter slightly more acidic, which limits how much gluten can form when the beer and flour mix, preventing the batter from turning tough.

What makes batter more crispy? ›

Rice flour and cornstarch work particularly well because they fry up crispier than wheat flour. They also absorb less moisture and fat during the frying process, making the products less greasy.

Should you let beer batter rest? ›

Only Use a Cold Beer

Some beer batter recipes will say to add ice or place the beer batter in the fridge to 'rest' for 30 minutes.

Should beer batter be cold or room temperature? ›

The yeast in the beer acts like yeast in bread, making the batter thin and puffy. Just make sure your beer is extra cold — when the cold batter hits the hot oil, the reaction ensures the coating is nice and crispy when it comes out of the fryer.

Why add vodka to beer batter? ›

Because vodka is more volatile than water, it evaporates more quickly, which dries out the batter faster and more violently. That creates larger bubbles and even more surface area, in turn resulting in a much crispier crust.

Can I use Sprite instead of beer in batter? ›

The use of beer is recommended as the fizz in the beer is what lends the batter its light, airy texture. If you really must substitute for a non-alcoholic version, use soda water or carbonated drinks such as Sprite instead. Combination of 75% plain flour + 25% rice flour to keep batter crispy!

Is it better to make beer batter in advance? ›

The batter can be made ahead and sit in the fridge overnight, in fact, the fish turns out crispier when it's dipped in a batter that was made on the day before. Use fresh oil.

What is the most traditional fish for fish and chips? ›

Cod is by far the most popular type of fish used in the fish and chips combo in Britain, with more than 60% of all dishes sold through the country. Cod is mostly found in the chippies in the south of England where it reigns supreme!

What is the best fish for fish and chips ranked? ›

The most common types of fish used are cod, haddock, skate, and pollock, but cod is the most popular choice, with 60% of all fish and chips meals using it as the preferred fish. Cod has a texture that is very supple, tender, and mild, and it makes for a great contrast to the crispy-fried batter shell.

What fish is most commonly used in fish and chips? ›

Generally, the fish in fish-n-chips is cod or haddock. In the UK, pub diners are used to plaice in their fish-n-chips, but plaice is generally not available in the US. Tilapia is becoming a popular fish for the dish given its light texture and subtle flavors.

Is cod or haddock better for fish and chips reddit? ›

Haddock definitely has a stronger taste, that's why I always chose it over cod. Although, if lemon sole is an option I would go for that. This. Cod has nice big flakes but, imo, poor flavour over haddock.

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