Beer Battered Fish with a crispy coating and light tender fillets of fish. This lightly seasoned beer batter is easy to make and makes perfect crispy fish for fish and chips.
Beer Battered Fish is one of our favorite ways to make fish at home. Who can resist that crunchy coating and the perfect flaky fish? Not me!
Serve with homemade tartar sauce!
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 a tender fish and need a net in order to bring them 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 the frozen fish.
Another great recipe that can be made with walleye or other fish is this almond crusted fish.
To make batter 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 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.
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.
How to make homemade beer batter
- Mix flour, salt, paprika, baking powder and corn starch 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
What type of beer is best for beer batter?
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.
What should I serve with this fish?
We keep it pretty simple when eating beer battered fish. We often just have a crisp green salad or a coleslaw or even a couscous salad. Onion Rings would also be delicious with this fish.
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
Ingredients
Batter
- 2 cups flour
- ⅓ cup corn starch
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 12 oz beer
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 like pancake batter.
- Add 1 ½ -2 inches oil to pan. Heat oil to 375 degrees.
- 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.
- Cook 2-3 minutes per side. Place cooked fish on a baking sheet lined with a baking rack. Place in a preheated 250 degree 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.
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. 🙂