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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.
Leah says
Awesome batter! This was like a melt in your mouth kind of beer battered fish
Kathy says
Thanks, Leah! 🙂
Brandy says
I love this recipe! First time trying beer battered fish and it turned out great!
I used an IPA because that’s what I had on hand, but next time will do with a light beer. The batter tasted a little heavy, but I know that was due to the beer.
Thanks for sharing! Will definitely be using this recipe in the future
Kathy says
Hi Brandy,
Thanks so much for you comment! The type of beer does make a difference. I prefer a lighter beer when making this. I hope you have some on hand the next time you make this fish!
Thanks,
Kathy 🙂
Rita . says
I made this recipe using halibut and shrimp. Both were delicious. I would definitely make this again.
Kathy says
Thanks, Rita! I love the idea of using shrimp! This batter does work well on so many things!
Thank you!
Kathy
Dale chase says
Would let me give 5 stars. This was insanely delicious and very crispy! Thank you, this is a keeper!
Kathy says
Hi Dale,
Thanks so much for your comment and glad you love this fish! My star rating system was not working and I'm so glad you let me know. I think it's all fixed now!
Thanks 🙂
Ceri Thomas says
It was tasty, however it was far too thick with the flour and cornstarch amounts. I had add a second bottle of beer to it. Guinness stout sure made it extra tasty. We'll be making it often. Thanks.
Kathy says
A Guinness would offer a ton of flavor. Thanks for the note about needing to add more beer to the batter. 🙂
Mary says
Just delicious, light and crispy. Better than most nice fish restaurants we’ve been to.
Kathy says
Thanks Mary! I think it is a really great recipe and I'm so glad you think so too! Thank you for leaving a comment and letting me know how much you loved it!
Kathy
Janine Hendricks says
I have never tried to make fish like this but gave it a try. WoW!!! It was amazing. so easy and turned out great. Crispy and crunchy. Making it again tonight for my son and his wife. Thank you so much for sharing.
Kathy says
Thanks so much for your comment! I'm so glad you love this recipe as much as we do! We make it again and again! 🙂
Laura Kirklin says
Hi Kathy! I love your recipe for beer battered fish! It is delicious!!! I wanted to tell you that I used Swai fish with your recipe and it turned out soooooo good! Even the kids were begging for more! As you probably know, swai is a very inexpensive fish, but it does have great flavor. So for those of us who need to watch our pennies, swai is a great alternative to the more expensive fish. Give it a shot!
Kathy says
Hi Laura,
I'm so glad you loved this! I haven't heard of swai before, but now I'll need to look for it! This recipe really does work well with so many types of fish. Thanks for sharing that great tip! 🙂
Laura Kirklin says
Just wanted to tell you that I used your recipe again to fry fish for fish tacos. Everryone fell in love and wanted more! Thanks again!
Kathy says
Wonderful! I'm so glad everyone loved it!
Sophie Rosso says
This was amazing. Our new go to. Thanks so much for sharing
Kathy says
Thanks! I love that you love it!!! 🙂
Linda says
Delicious recipe! We made some onion rings with the leftover batter 👍
Kathy says
Thanks, Linda! What a great idea for the leftover batter! 🙂
Leonore Garcia says
Oh my gosh! I made this tonight and it was a big hit!! So yummy in tacos with chipotle sauce. Thank you!
I'll send a pic on IG.
Kathy says
Lenore, Thanks so much! It's always a hit in our house and I'm glad it was in yours too. Using in tacos is a perfect idea!
Maui Brown says
Wow! This is restaurant quality beer battered fish. Thank you for sharing
Kathy says
Thank you! It's one of our favorites. I'm so glad you love it as much as we do! 🙂
Fred G says
Beer and fish. What a good idea. Catch the fish while drinking a beer, then follow your recipe.
Kathy says
It all makes for good fun! 🙂
Ros says
Wow these look so delicious! Yum yum yum! Never heard of walleye either! But I'm sure the recipe works for any type of fish. Thanks for sharing!
Kathy says
You can use almost any type of fish as long as it's mild tasting and holds together.
Adina says
How fun! I have only been fishing once when I was about 13. My step father would go almost every weekend, my mother agreed to it once and never again... Too bad, I remember us children having fun. Your beer battered fish looks perfect, better than any fish (and chips) I have ever had when in the UK. And I am so sure it taste like a million times better.
Kathy says
Fishing is fun, especially when the fish are biting!
Karen Graham says
HELLO KATHY YOUR RECIPE FOR THE BEER BATTER FISH IS AWESOME, I GOTTA TRY YOUR RECIPE😃 DO YOU HAVE A CHANNEL THAT I CAN SUBSCRIBE TO? I LOVE TO SEE MORE OF YOUR AMAZING RECIPES.
Kathy says
Thanks, Karen! I started a YouTube channel a bit ago, but never did anything with it! You've inspired me to upload some videos and get started! You could be my first follower! 🙂
Fran @ G'day Souffle' says
I have never heard of walleye fish before, but then again, I'm no fisherman. You must get lots of fish filleting experience! Hard to believe that such a simple recipe could be so delicious!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I love fishing trips with the family Kathy. Our boys used to go crazy when they were little when they caught a fish! Love this beer battered version. Can't wait to give it a try.
Dawn says
Beer battered fish is a classic around here! How freakin' good does this look?! All golden brown and crispy! Cod is the popular choice of fish around here...we don't get walleye. Your fishing trip sounds fun and talk about fresh! You're seriously making me hungry right now 🙂
annie@ciaochowbambina says
OH MY GOODNESS! This is a dish I can never resist! So crunchy and flaky! Great post, Kathy!
David @ Spiced says
Holy cow, Kathy! Err...holy Walleye, I mean. These fried fish look amazing. I've been wanting to try my hand at a beer-battered fish here at home, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I clearly need to move that up the list as now I'm craving a good plate beer-battered fish 'n' chips! And of course I'd have to serve that with a tasty beer. Thanks for sharing, and the photos from the trip were fun, too! 🙂