Description
Delight in the timeless comfort of classic fish and chips with this recipe for Crispy Beer-Battered Cod with Fries. The cod is enveloped in a light, crisp beer batter and served with golden, crunchy fries. Ideal for a snug dinner at home or a convivial occasion with friends, this dish brings a piece of the cherished British pub experience to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 pounds of white fish fillets, cut into long pieces
- 1 cup plain flour, plus extra for coating fish
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus extra for seasoning fish
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning fish
- 1 cup chilled light beer
- Hot potato fries, prepared by frying, baking, or air frying
- Tartar sauce, ketchup, or fry sauce
- Malt vinegar
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the Oil Add oil to a deep pot, filling it about 1-2 inches deep, and heat it to 350 degrees F. Monitor the temperature with a thermometer to maintain it between 350 and 375 degrees F for optimal frying results. Refrain from overcrowding the pot to avoid dropping the oil temperature, which can result in less crisp fish.
- Step 2: Prepare the Fish Fillets Cut the fish fillets into strips that are long and at least 1 inch wide. Dry them thoroughly with paper towels before seasoning with sea salt and pepper. Lightly coat each fillet in flour to help the batter adhere properly.
- Step 3: Make the Batter In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in chilled beer until the batter is slightly thick yet smooth. Adjust consistency with more beer if needed.
- Step 4: Batter and Fry the Fish Ensure the oil temperature is around 350 degrees F. Dip each prepared fillet into the batter, ensuring a complete coating. Fry the fillets in small batches to avoid cooling the oil quickly, turning occasionally, until the batter is golden and the fish is fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 5: Drain and Keep Warm Once cooked, place the fillets on paper towels to drain excess oil. Keep the fried fish warm in a 200-degree oven while frying the remaining batches.
- Step 6: Serve Your Fish After frying the fish, use the same hot oil to fry additional sides like French fries, or serve with previously prepared baked or air-fried fries. Serve the crispy battered fish with tartar sauce, ketchup, or malt vinegar for dipping.