The Best Beer Batter Recipe

5 from 28 votes
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Nothing tastes more like the seaside than some proper beer batter fish with tartar sauce. However, you don’t have to go all the way to the coast to enjoy it – you can make some yourself.

Why not pair this fish with some air fryer French fries or some air fryer sweet potato fries?

Table of Contents
  1. The Best Beer Batter Recipe
  2. The Best Beer Batter Ingredients
  3. How To Make The Best Beer Batter
  4. What Kind Of Beer Should You Use Here?
  5. How To Avoid Too Much Grease On Your Fish
  6. Don’t forget to PIN THIS RECIPE to your DINNER RECIPES Board and remember to FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST!
  7. The Best Beer Batter Recipe Recipe
beer battered fish on a white plate

The Best Beer Batter Recipe

It is hard to explain why, but there is just something so wonderful and delicious about combining beer and fried fish. The effervescing bubbles and the slightly malty, hoppy flavor that comes with it all combined with some really tasty fish that feels like you bought it right on the waterfront.

The only real trick with this recipe is avoiding ending up with too much oil on your hands as you eat it.

ingredients for beer batter

The Best Beer Batter Ingredients

Don’t forget to look at the recipe card at the very bottom for the exact amounts you need here.

• Haddock filets, or whatever fish filets you can find

Batter Ingredients

• Flour

• Cornstarch

• Baking powder

• Salt

• Beer

• Pepper

Flouring Mixture

• Flour

• Cornstarch

How To Make The Best Beer Batter

• Mix all of the batter ingredients together until a smooth batter forms with no lumps

• Preheat  2 inches of oil heated to 375 Fahrenheit

• Mix the flour mixture together in a separate small bowl

• Dredge your fish fillets through the flour mixture, tapping off any extra

• Cover your now=floured fish filets with batter until totally covered, and then place into the heated oil

• Cook, two at a time, for about 4 minutes a side or until golden brown

• Drain on paper towels before serving

floured fish fillets

What Kind Of Beer Should You Use Here?

Most beer batter recipes don’t tend to be overwhelmingly helpful when it comes to telling you what kind of beer to actually use for making beer better.

Generally speaking, any kind of beer that you like will work just fine here, but remember that however strong the beer tastes is going to affect the taste of the fish.

If you tried using a deep, oaky, and rich stout in your beer batter, you’d probably wind up with an exceptionally bitter, overpowering fish at the end.

For best results, stick to the kind of beers that you would drink at a barbeque – lighter, gentler ales like cream ales or lagers work well here. Anything with a good amount of carbonation, something that makes a really satisfying “Hiss” when you pop the top, will work just fine here.

beer battered fish on a white plate

How To Avoid Too Much Grease On Your Fish

Fried foods are pretty tasty, but the one real disadvantage they have over any other foods is how greasy they are. While that greasiness is what gives it so much intense, crispy taste, it’s still really annoying.

To help you end up with less grease on your fried dish, make sure that you are using a slotted spoon or some durable tongs to pick up and move your fish when in the oil.

Alongside that, once the fish is done, make sure that you transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels. The paper towels will absorb the excess oil, leaving you with a still crispy piece of fish, only it won’t be literally dripping with gross, insanely hot oil anymore. 

piece of beer battered

Looking for more delicious Fish recipes? Try these out:

Salmon Patties

Poached Salmon

Salmon Salad

Enjoy! Happy cooking!

Karlynn

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The Best Beer Batter Recipe

This beer batter recipe is the best out there, yielding a crispy, crunchy golden brown batter that is perfect for battered fish, fried mushrooms, and more! This is a secret recipe straight from one of the best chefs I know!
5 from 28 votes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
8 minutes
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
American
Servings
6 pieces
Calories
604
Author
Karlynn Johnston

Ingredients
 

  • 4-6 haddock filets or white fish filets of choice

Batter Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup beer
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Flouring Mixture

  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions
 

  • Combine the batter ingredients and mix until smooth batter forms, ensuring that there are no lumps.
  • To deep-fry, preheat 2-3 inches of oil in a heavy saucepan to 375 degrees F, or preheat your deep fryer. Line a large plate or platter with paper towels and set aside,
  • Combine the “flouring” ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Dredge the fish filets through the flour mixture first, lightly tapping them to sure there isn’t too much flour coating on them.
  • Proceed to now cover the floured fish filets with the batter until covered with a thick coat of batter.
  • Place gently into the heated oil.
  • Cook two at a time in the hot oil, for approximately 4 minutes per side or until a medium golden brown.
  • Remove and drain the fish on the prepared paper towels.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 604kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 101g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 324mg, Sodium: 1670mg, Potassium: 1905mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 342IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 132mg, Iron: 3mg

All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

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Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

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Reader Interactions

Comments & Recipe Tips Share a tip or comment!

  1. Becky says

    I use this for fried “Frog legs” and onion rings!! Yummy, I use a New Belgium IPA called Juice Force for a different flavor twist. Sometimes I use a plain light colored ale for a lighter simple batter!5 stars

  2. Joan Javernick says

    Have made this twice now. First time was for Chile Rellenos! I know it calls for an egg batter, but neither I nor my husband eat eggs. This was perfect for them. I also fried little “crispies” from the batter that was leftover. Tonight I made chicken wings with it and added some balsamic vinegar to the batter. Fantastic! Thank you for the recipe.

  3. Dianne says

    This recipe is excellent!!!! I made deep fried sole fillets using this AWESOME batter! Tonight I’m making deep fried mushrooms using the same batter. Instructions are easy to follow & create the most crispiest light delicious non greasy batter. Thank you Kitchen Magpie!!5 stars

  4. Mark says

    I really enjoyed this recipe. I surprisingly used it with chicken bites and onion rings. Whenever I get white fish again, this will be my go to. Thanks for sharing.5 stars

    • Karlynn says

      Mmm onion rings are my favourite! Glad you enjoyed it!5 stars

    • Karlynn says

      The flour absolutely helps the batter stick! Don’t skip it!5 stars

  5. Mari says

    I have not made this yet, but all of your recipes are “Delicious!!” I just ordered your Prarie Table cookbook from Amazon and get it tomorrow…I’m excited!
    Also sending heartfelt thoughts and prayers to you and your family in and from Ukraine.
    My grandparents were from Ukraine and Poland. Praying for peace for all.5 stars

    • Karlynn says

      Thank you so much for the kind words!! I hope you love the cookbook!5 stars

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