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.
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.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, this Beer Battered Fish recipe is easy to follow and yields consistently delicious results.
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
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.
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.
Stacey says
This is the best recipe for batter I've ever tried. Amazing!!! I've now made it at least 6-7 times and it's perfect every time. If I happen to have some on hand, I will occasionally add some Old Bay seasoning to the batter, but honestly the recipe is perfect as is. Thanks for sharing!!
Kathy says
Thanks, Stacey! I really appreciate you letting me know! 🙂 I've never tried Old Bay, but I've heard it's a perfect seafood seasoning!
Thank you!
Kathy 🙂
Beth C says
I am not sure your flour numbers are correct inthe above recipe. 2 cups was way too much, it made a thick dough. Remade with 1 cup and turned out correctly. Checked this againt other recipes and flour to liquid ratio was 1 cup flour to 12 oz. beer.
Kathy says
Hi Beth,
Thank you for your comment. For me, one cup of flour would be too runny. I'm glad you were able to figure out a solution that worked for you.
Thank you,
Kathy
Melanie says
This recipe worked out very well for me! It honestly tasted pretty close to what I’ve had at a British pub near me. So nice to be able to make this at home. 👍
Kathy says
That's awesome! Thanks so much for letting me know!!! 🙂
CYNTHIA MAKIN says
OMG, I just made this tonight and my family LOVED IT!!! This was the first time I have ever deep fried fish. I've been married 31 years and my Memphis raised husband just quit smoking. This was his one month milestone dinner. He absolutely loved it. I used cod for me and catfish for him. I followed the recipe and wouldn't change a thing. I will be cooking this again!! Thank you.
Kathy says
Thanks, Cynthia! Congrats to your hubby for reaching a milestone and how fun that you cooked him a special dinner! This beer battered fish may need to be his monthly celebration from here on out!
Kathy 🙂
Skibbs says
Wet then dry. Take fish out of wet shake then dip into dry flour with garlic powder and see onion powder then dry. Way crispier.
Kathy says
Okay, I'm not certain I totally understand, but thank you for the suggestion.
Rob Catterall says
Tastes just like its done in a restaurant. Awesome!
Kathy says
Thanks, Rob! 🙂 I appreciate the comment.
Christine Maxwell says
Fabulous batter recipe!!! I used Haddock and it was delicious.
Kathy says
Thank you!!! 🙂
Rich B says
Made the fish meal the other night for friends and had fish sandwich for lunch today. Excellent! How long will the batter keep in the refer?
Kathy says
Hi Rich,
I have not ever had any leftover batter! I would think it would last just for a day or two in the refrigerator.
Kathy
Janet Doherty says
Made recipe tonight with cod. Delicious and very crispy. Loved it
Kathy says
Hi Janet,
Thanks so much! 🙂
Sharon says
WOW! Tried this tonight using haddock, onion rings and for deep fried pickles - just WOW! Finally found our go to recipe - no changes needed! Thanks so much!
Kathy says
Thanks! I've yet to try deep fried pickles! It's on my list and I must give them a try! 🙂
Cheryl says
Love that it stayed crispy!
Kathy says
Thank you!
Michele says
I made this last night, and it's absolutely fantastic—the best beer batter recipe on the internet. The measurements do not need to be adjusted.
Kathy says
Thanks, Michele! I appreciate your comment and so glad you love the beer batter!
Kathy 🙂
Michele Mills says
Just loved this batter, best one I’ve ever made, thanks for the recipe 😊
Kathy says
Thank you!!!
Claudia says
Vegan here! Thank you for the easiest and most amazing vegan batter for my cauliflower, tofu and any other veggies i will attempt to deep fry. It made Christmas dinner a hit with the whole family!
Kathy says
Wow! Well, I believe you are the first vegan that has made my beer batter! Such a great idea to use it on veggies! 🙂
CW says
Made this today with cod. Not a beer drinker, but used Miller High Life.
Fabulous, fabulous. This will always be my go-to batter for cod, which is my favorite. The batter turned out perfect! Thanks for sharing your recipe 🤗
Kathy says
Thank you! It's definitely a favorite with us and I'm so glad you enjoy it as much as we do! Thanks for leaving such a great comment! 🙂
Terrie says
This was the best recipe ever, I’ve always been scared to deep fry at home....I put on my big girl britches and did it using your recipe.
It was AMAZING, my family said it was better than any restaurants.
Thank you so much.
Kathy says
Thank you and good for you for giving it a go! Frying isn't as tough as you think as long as you keep your temperature at the right level. 🙂
Joanna says
This is literally the best fish I have ever made! I have made It with cod and grouper. My parents are fish connoisseur’s. This is their absolutely favorite thing on the planet! Thank you so much!
Kathy says
Wow! Thanks for such a fabulous compliment! 🙂
Lael A Powell says
I have made this two times now, every time absolutely delicious.
Kathy says
Wonderful! Thanks for letting me know!!! 🙂
Nicole says
The batter is one of the best I’ve made and I live on the East coast, Nova Scotia proud!
Thank you!
Kathy says
Thank you!
Jessica gallant says
I tried making the fish today.it came out awesome . But I had to use 16 ounces of beer not 12 thanks for the recipe
Kathy says
Thanks, Jessica. Sometimes it takes a bit more to get the consistency you want. Thanks for leaving a comment! I appreciate it. 🙂