Classic Beer Battered Fish and Chips: Crispy, Golden Perfection

Beer-battered fish and Chips are the ultimate comfort food classic that brings the pub experience home. This recipe creates perfectly crispy, golden fish with a light, airy beer batter that highlights the flaky cod inside. Paired with twice-fried potato chips that are crispy outside and fluffy within, this meal transforms an ordinary dinner into something special. If you don’t have a chip shop nearby, you can still enjoy authentic, restaurant-quality fish with a crispy coating and chips with this foolproof recipe.

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What makes beer, battered fish, and french fries such a comfort food?

This dish is a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Thanks to the fish and chips batter recipe, the fish is incredibly succulent with a crispy casing. Then, of course, there’s nothing better than some fried potato pieces that have the perfect touch of salt.

Both components of the dish are delicious when they are hot, fresh, and crispy. Indulging in some scrumptious fried food now and then is genuinely one of life’s best experiences!

Why you should try this recipe

This dish is a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Thanks to the fish and chips batter recipe, the fish is incredibly succulent with a crispy casing. Then, of course, there’s nothing better than some fried potato pieces that have the perfect touch of salt.

What types of fish can you use for this recipe?

This recipe recommends cod, but you could use other types of white fish fillet. I recommend a firm fish because the batter is a little heavy, and it may break the fish into thin pieces.

For instance, you can make a delicious beer-battered halibut, hake, haddock, or tilapia. Moreover, if you’re someone who would prefer a beer-battered catfish, then you can certainly try that too!

If you are using frozen fish, I recommend thawing it completely. Then, blot off the extra moisture with paper towels as best you can. This way, the batter will stick to the fish.

Ingredients you will need

Here is a list of the ingredients for the Beer-Battered Fish and Chips recipe. The exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.

• White cod fillets – Provides the perfect flaky texture and mild flavor
• All-purpose flour – Creates the structure for the crispy batter
• Egg – Adds richness and helps bind the batter
• Milk – Contributes creaminess to the batter
• Beer – Creates carbonation for a light, airy texture
• Salt – Enhances all flavors

Best Oil for Frying Fish

You will cook this fish in hot oil. People always ask me what type of oil I should use. I recommend a couple of different types of oil for deep-frying fish.

I love frying in peanut oil when I can buy it on sale. When I can’t find peanut oil on sale, my second choice is to use regular vegetable oil or canola oil.

Recommended Equipment

I recommend T-fal FR8000 Oil Filtration Ultimate EZ Clean Easy to clean 3.5-Liter Fry Basket Stainless Steel Immersion Deep Fryer. This will help you to filter the oil and use it for something else. Often, when you fry food, the grease becomes dirty. If you filter the oil, you can remove the particles that will burn.

The oil will last longer if you can remove particles that are often too small to remove with a slotted spoon.

You can use a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot if you don’t have a deep fryer. You’ll also need a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature.

How to Make Fish and Chips Step-by-Step Instructions

To make the French fries (chips):

1. Peel, rinse, and cut potatoes into sticks.
2. Place potatoes into a large bowl of water and soak for 1 to 2 hours.
3. Remove potatoes from water and blot with paper towels until mostly dry.
4. Fry potatoes for 4 to 5 minutes and place them on a wire rack for a minute or two.
5. Place the semi-cooked potatoes back into the hot oil and fry until golden and crisp.
6. Remove the fried potatoes from the oil and place them onto a wire rack.
7. Season the potatoes with salt.

To make the batter and fry the fish:

1. Whisk flour and salt in a bowl and make a well in the center.
2. Mix milk with egg, add it to the center of the well, and beat until aerated.
3. Heat oil to 375°F.
4. Slice fish into strips. Pat the fish dry with a paper towel. When you remove the excess moisture from the fish, the batter will stick better.
5. Add beer to the batter and stir to combine.
6. Dip and coat fillets with batter and place them into the oil.
7. Fry the fish for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until they turn a light golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels. You may need to cook in batches.

What to Serve with Fish and Chips

Here are some great sides and sauces to go with fish and chips:

It’s entirely up to you how you want to enjoy your fish and chips. Different cultures have their unique ways of enjoying this dish. However, if you need some ideas, I’ve got you covered!

For instance, if you prefer to serve your fish and chips with side dishes that are typically popular in the U.S., you can pair them with homemade coleslaw, hush puppies, pickles, tartar sauce, or pickled red onions.

You can also enjoy them as British folks do by serving them with mushy peas, buttered bread, curry sauce, baked beans, or simply salt and vinegar. Many sides for fish and chips are either tangy or creamy, which balances the crispy fish and potatoes.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Avoiding Sogginess: Never microwave fried fish; oven reheating is essential for maintaining texture
• Refrigeration: Store leftover fish and chips separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days
• Freezing: Not recommended as texture will be compromised
• Reheating Fish: Place on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway
• Reheating Chips: Heat in a 400°F oven for 5-7 minutes for best crispiness

More Beer Batter Recipes

• Beer Battered Chicken
• Beer Battered Onion Rings
• Beer Battered Shrimp

Favorite Fish Recipes

• Air Fryer Salmon Almondine
• Baked Salmon
• Baked Scallops
• Bloomin Fried Shrimp
• Killer Shrimp
• Pan Fried Salmon
• Maryland Crab Cakes
• Poached Fish
• Seafood Bisque
• Shrimp Remoulade

Check out my easy seafood recipes and the best dinner recipes here on CopyKat!

Thanks to Dennis Miller, for this recipe.