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With over a million page views and hundreds of five-star reviews, this Beer Battered Fish recipe is a proven favorite. This contest-winning recipe is perfect anytime when you want a light and crispy batter for your favorite fish.
This is my new favorite beer batter recipe! The coating was perfect, crisp and delicious. I've tried quite a few others and this is the best so far! ~ Jim
Crispy beer battered fish
With just a handful of ingredients and 5 simple steps, this recipe will make you the star of your kitchen. Find out why people keep coming back to this recipe again and again.
This Beer Battered Fish is a go-to at our annual camping fish fry and a staple at home when we crave delicious fish and chips or fish tacos. The combination of a lightly seasoned batter and the perfect fry creates a delightful crunch that keeps everyone coming back for more. It's perfect by itself or dipped in homemade tartar sauce.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, this Beer Battered Fish recipe is easy to follow and yields consistently delicious results.
We have a summer fishing/camping tradition. We always spend one weekend on Lake Roosevelt, on the Columbia River, camping and fishing.
We have several families that go together. There's a core group that's always there, but we always have a few more families that are able to join us each year. This year, there were a total of 15 of us, and we keep growing every year.
We go for the fish - Walleye, but it's also about having a great time and hanging out with everyone.
Walleye are tender fish and need a net in order to be brought into the boat. Otherwise, they tend to fall off the hook just as you bring them out of the water.
Sometimes the fishing gets a bit slow.
Some years the fishing is better than others, but we always catch enough to have a huge fish fry back at camp.
Most years we also have enough to bring back home and stock our freezers. I use the same recipe for making beer battered fish at home as I do at camp. I also make this pan fried Walleye and a fish salad with frozen fish.
Another great recipe that can be made with walleye or other fish is this almond crusted fish.
Rod is always our fish fryer at camp.
And he cooks up a ton!
At home, we use the same method - just in smaller portions. If you don't have walleye, any light white fish will work - cod, haddock, halibut, and flounder are good choices.
Beer Batter Fish ingredients
- Fish - Use a light, flaky, mild fish like Walleye, cod, halibut, or tilapia.
- Flour - Use regular all-purpose flour.
- Cornstarch - Cornstarch helps make the batter light and crisp. It’s key to making this beer batter.
- Seasoning - The seasoning is simple: just salt and paprika.
- Baking Powder - Used to help give the batter a bit of rise while it’s cooking. It also helps add to the lightness and crispness of the batter.
- Beer - Any type of beer can be used, but usually a lighter-flavored beer is better. We use a very light pilsner like Bud Light, Pabst Blue Ribbon or Kokanee. The beer adds flavor and helps activate the baking powder, making the batter very light.
- Oil for Frying - Look for a mild-flavored oil that is good for frying. Some options include canola, vegetable, or peanut oil.
How to make Beer Battered Fish
- Mix flour, salt, paprika, baking powder, and cornstarch together
- Add beer and mix
- Mixture should be thick, like pancake batter
- If mixture becomes too thick, add a bit more beer
- If mixture is too runny, add a bit more flour
Making Beer Batter for Fish ahead of time
Since I'm never quite sure how much batter we will need at camp, I mix up all the dry ingredients and place in a zip-top bag. I mix one batch in each bag, and I usually bring 3 or 4 bags with me.
At camp, you just add beer until the mixture is the right consistency. You could just mix it right in the bag and have one less thing to clean up. We usually dump the dry ingredients into a big bowl since we do so many fish.
Serving suggestions
We keep it pretty simple when eating beer battered fish. We often have a crisp green salad, coleslaw, or even a couscous salad. Onion Rings or Oven Baked Fries would also be delicious with this fish.
Beer Batter for Fish FAQs
You can use any type of beer for beer batter. I like to use a light pilsner-type beer because I don't want a heavy-tasting beer in my batter.
More delicious Walleye recipes
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
If you loved this recipe, you'll LOVE all the others in this category. Check out all my main dish recipes here!
Beer Battered Fish
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Fry Thermometer
Ingredients
Batter
- 2 cups flour
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 - 1½ can beer (12 ounce)
Remaining Ingredients
- 1 -2 pounds fish fillets
- corn oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl. Add beer and stir. Mixture should be the same consistency like pancake batter.2 cups flour, ⅓ cup cornstarch, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 Tablespoon baking powder, 1 - 1½ can beer
- Add 1 ½ -2 inches oil to pan. Heat oil to 375 degrees.corn oil
- Pat fish fillets dry with a paper towel. Dip fish, one at a time, into beer batter. Add to heated oil. Cook 3-4 pieces at a time so pan is not overcrowded.1 -2 pounds fish fillets
- Cook 2-3 minutes per side. Place cooked fish on a baking sheet lined with a baking rack. Place in a preheated 250°F oven to keep warm while remaining fish cooks.
- Repeat until all fish is cooked.
Notes
- I use Walleye fish, but any light fish will work.
- Use a light beer.
- If batter is too thick, add a bit more beer.
- If batter is too runny, add a bit more flour.
- This recipe makes a large amount of batter. There is enough to dredge all fillets and there will be extra batter leftover.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
K says
Can I use frozen flounder and if yes should I batter it frozen or thaw it first?
Kathy Berget says
Yes, frozen flounder can be used. You'll want to fully thaw it first. Then pat the fish dry before dipping it into the batter.
Enjoy! 🙂
Robert says
We have an annual Church Camp at the Oregon Coast, this year we have 30 RV spots and 10 tent sites, but with approximately 80 people, we caught several sea bass and 48 crab just outside the jaws of Tillamook Bay. The bass we used your beer batter recipe and the crab we boiled. Both were an overwhelming hit. Thank you for posting..
Kathy Berget says
What a great event! It sounds similar to our annual walleye fishing trip, but without the crab. I'm glad the beer battered fish was a success!