Golden Crispy Beer-Battered Cod with Fries Recipe for All

Golden, flaky cod meets a crackling beer-battered exterior that shatters with each delectable bite.

The magic of beer-battered cod creates a symphony of textures that dance on your plate.

Perfectly seasoned and fried to a rich, amber color, this classic dish delivers comfort and crunch in every mouthful.

Beer adds a subtle depth and lightness to the crispy coating, ensuring each piece of fish emerges delicately crisp.

Paired with golden, salted fries, this recipe promises a restaurant-worthy meal straight from your kitchen.

The secret lies in selecting fresh cod and achieving that irresistible golden-brown crunch.

Dive into this beloved seafood classic that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Storage Advice That Keeps Cod from Sogging

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover crispy cod in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Place a paper towel at the bottom to absorb moisture and maintain crispiness.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Revive cold fish in a preheated oven at 375 degrees F for 5-7 minutes. Arrange pieces on a wire rack over a baking sheet to help retain the original crunchiness and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Freezing Smart: Freeze unbattered fish fillets individually wrapped in plastic, then placed in freezer bags. Raw fish stays fresh for 3 months, ensuring you always have seafood ready for impromptu cooking sessions.
• Batter Preparation Tip: Mix dry batter ingredients in advance and store in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 1 month. When ready to cook, simply add chilled beer and whisk for instant crispy fish batter without extra prep time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Beer-Battered Cod with Fries Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates crispy coating with light texture, choose unbleached for better flavor.
• Cornstarch: Ensures extra crunchiness and helps batter adhere perfectly to fish.
• Baking Powder: Provides airy lift and helps create golden, puffy batter.

• Paprika: Adds warm, subtle color and smoky undertone to batter.
• Sea Salt: Brings out fish's natural flavors, use fine-grain for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Delivers subtle heat and aromatic kick to overall dish.

• Chilled Beer: Introduces lightness and subtle yeast flavor, select light lager for best results.

• Cod Fillets: Select fresh, firm white fish with minimal bones, preferably sustainably sourced.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides neutral frying medium with high smoke point.
• Paper Towels: Essential for drying fish and draining excess oil after cooking.

• Tartar Sauce: Classic tangy complement to crispy fish.
• Ketchup: Familiar dipping option for all ages.
• Malt Vinegar: Traditional British-style condiment with sharp, acidic profile.

What You’ll Need to Get the Batter Right

• Deep pot: Large, sturdy pot for deep frying with enough depth to safely hold oil.
• Thermometer: Essential for monitoring and maintaining precise oil temperature between 350-375 degrees F.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for preparing beer batter, with enough space to whisk ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending batter ingredients without lumps.
• Tongs: Crucial for safely turning fish in hot oil and removing pieces from the fryer.
• Paper towels: Used for drying fish fillets and draining excess oil after frying.
• Cutting board: For preparing and cutting fish into strips.
• Sharp knife: Helps slice fish into uniform, long strips.
• Baking sheet: Optional for keeping fried fish warm in the oven.

Frying Beer-Battered Cod Like a Pro

• Ocean Fresh Catch Preparation

Select quality white fish like cod or haddock. Pat dry with clean kitchen towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring crispy exterior during cooking.

• Magical Beer Coating

Create a light, airy batter using cold beer mixed with flour. Whisk until smooth with no lumpy sections. The beer adds incredible flavor and helps create a delicate, crisp shell around the fish.

• Temperature Control

Heat neutral cooking oil in a deep pot until it reaches the perfect golden zone. Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain consistent heat, preventing soggy or greasy results.

• Batter and Dunk Technique

Gently dip each fish piece into the beer mixture, allowing excess batter to drip off. Carefully lower into hot oil, working in small batches to maintain oil temperature.

• Golden Perfection

Fry fish until exterior turns a stunning golden brown and interior becomes tender and flaky. Each piece should take approximately 4-6 minutes, depending on thickness.

• Serving Magic

Transfer crispy fish onto absorbent paper to remove extra oil. Pair with hand-cut potato fries, fresh lemon wedges, and tangy sauce for a delightful meal that celebrates ocean flavors.

Adjusting Batter and Fry Time Perfectly

• Beer Batter Brilliance: Experiment with different beer styles like light lagers, hoppy IPAs, or rich stouts to create unique flavor profiles in your batter.
• Fillet Freshness Factor: Always use the freshest white fish like cod, haddock, or halibut for the most delicate and flavorful results. Check for firm, glistening flesh without any strong fishy odor.
• Crunch Control Technique: For extra crispy coating, double-dip your fish fillets. First coat in seasoned flour, then dip in beer batter, and repeat the process before frying to create an incredibly crunchy exterior.
• Seasoning Swap Secrets: Add exciting twists to your batter by incorporating herbs like dill, Old Bay seasoning, or smoked paprika. Swap standard salt for flavored salts like garlic or celery salt to elevate the entire dish's taste profile.
• Temperature Troubleshooting: If your oil drops below 350 degrees F, the fish will absorb more oil and become greasy. Use a reliable kitchen thermometer and adjust heat to maintain consistent temperature during frying.

How to Plate Cod and Fries the Classic Way

• Seaside Picnic Platter: Spread crispy cod fillets on a rustic wooden board with wedges of lemon, sprigs of fresh parsley, and an array of dipping sauces for a casual, beach-inspired presentation.
• Pub-Style Feast: Arrange golden fish and fries on a classic newspaper-lined basket, adding a side of mushy peas or coleslaw for an authentic British pub experience that transports you straight to the coast.
• Family-Friendly Fish Feast: Create a build-your-own fish taco station with warm tortillas, shredded cabbage, homemade salsa, and diced avocado, letting everyone customize their perfect crispy cod meal.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Hack: Pair the fish with a simple mixed green salad and quick-pickled cucumber slices for a light, refreshing meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Crunchy Beer-Battered Cod with Fries Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crispy beer-battered cod with fries delivers a classic British pub favorite straight from seaside kitchens. Golden-brown fish and perfectly salted chips create a delightful meal you can easily recreate at home.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) white fish fillets, cut into long pieces
• 1 cup plain flour
• ½ cup corn starch
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• 1 cup chilled light beer
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp paprika
• Hot potato fries
• Tartar sauce
• Ketchup
• Fry sauce
• Malt vinegar

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Instructions

1. Oil Preparation: Heat deep pot with oil to 350°F, maintaining temperature between 350-375°F using a thermometer for perfect frying conditions.
2. Fish Preparation: Slice cod into 1-inch strips, thoroughly dry with paper towels, season with salt and pepper, then lightly dust with flour to create optimal batter adherence.
3. Batter Creation: Combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Whisk in chilled beer gradually, creating a smooth, slightly thick consistency that coats fish evenly.
4. Frying Process: Carefully dip flour-coated fillets into beer batter, ensuring complete coverage. Gently lower battered fish into hot oil in small batches, rotating occasionally to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior and maintain oil temperature.
5. Finishing Touches: Drain fried fish on paper towels, keeping warm in 200°F oven. Use same oil to prepare accompanying french fries if desired. Serve with classic condiments like tartar sauce, ketchup, or malt vinegar to enhance flavor profile.

Notes

• Temperature Control: Maintain consistent 350-375°F oil temperature using a reliable thermometer to guarantee perfectly crispy, golden-brown fish without greasy texture.
• Moisture Removal: Thoroughly pat cod fillets dry with paper towels before flouring to ensure batter adheres properly and creates an extra-crisp coating.
• Batter Consistency: Whisk beer batter until smooth and slightly thick, avoiding overmixing to prevent tough, dense breading that lacks delicate crunchiness.
• Batch Cooking: Fry fish in small groups to prevent oil temperature drop, which can result in soggy, oil-saturated seafood instead of light, crisp exterior.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg