EASY CRISPY BATTERED FISH

Last updated on June 8th, 2024 at 07:56 pm

Light and crispy battered flaky fish to serve with an equally crispy and chunky chips. Quick and easy to make at home on a fry day.

For an easy and quick fish dish for lunch or supper any day of the week. Try our go to recipe for crispy battered fish.

Crispy battered fish

Do you have Fish Fridays?

I haven’t heard about days named after a dish before living in England.

My daughter came home from Primary School on her first Friday and declared that it was Fish Friday!

From then on Fridays were called Fish Fridays whenever we talk about lunch but she does not eat fish every last day of the week.

Fish is on offer along with other dishes too.

And she chooses those instead.

Then she gives us all the reasons in the world she could think of as to why she did not have fish.

But because she chooses other food on this particular day she asks for battered fish at the weekends and on days she feels like having fish.

Occasionally, we go out for pub lunch on Fridays.

And guess what we order.

Yes, you are right, FISH!

When you come over to England or probably the UK try fish and chips and decide which is the best place to have one.

Surely, most people would say they have their favourite pub or takeaway place for fish and chips.

Our local pub is one of the best though wink wink.

Between downing pints of drinks as crispy fish and chips is devoured, a quick question on how and why fish is served on Friday is asked.

What better way to know about it is look for an article.

An article on the Greatbritishmag is a good quick read on why fish is eaten on a Friday.

You might find something to laugh about on here about living in the UK or food to try other than fish and chips next time you come to the British Isles.

Practise and experiment

It was hit and miss a number of times.

We followed a few recipes found online but because of varying conditions and different ingredients we had to write off some of them.

This recipe is our go to and normally judge the consistency at the time of cooking.

As always use your judgment which makes cooking more fun.

How to make crispy fish

With the help of cold fizzy water and baking soda is the answer.

Some say add low gluten flour, cornstarch and rice flour will make the batter extra light and crispy.

But we find plain flour mixed with cold fizzy water and baking soda do wonders too.

Especially when we are left with no other flours at home.

Wheat flour also helps attain the golden brown finish.

What to serve with crispy battered fish

Where is that big plate of chips?

A big plate of chips go alongside the battered fish and it is a must, in our opinion.

A mountain high of crispy, chunky chips it will be served with.

How about a helping of mushy peas or peas?

Yes, that comes along too.

The selection of sauces is endless.

Tartare sauce, tomato sauce, mustard, a wedge of lemon to squeeze over the fish, malt vinegar and salt.

It is a big decision to make according to the list above but everyone will be able to choose from them and have their recommendations.

At home tartare sauce is something we cannot make right away so we make do with the other choices.

If you are feeling adventurous serve it with radish salad or Japanese pickles as refreshing counterpart to the fried fish.

When hungry and craving for crispy fish, this fried fish is gobbled up even with any sauces so, see how you feel.

Without further ado let’s go and take a look at the ingredients for how to make crispy fish.

How do you keep battered fish crispy?

Serve these straight away and they will stay crispy for a few minutes.

Joking aside, 20 minutes.

My daughter talks more than eat but the batter stay crispy even after 20 minutes of slowly eating.

What makes the coating crispy?

It is crispy when using cold ingredients.

Yes, put all the ingredients in the fridge before assembly.

The combination of baking powder and fizzy drink too.

Ingredients

Fish – Usually haddock or cod but the delicate plaice or other fish of choice. If I were in the Philippines I would use tilapia or other firm fish.

Plain flour – Place the cold flour in the fridge before use.

Baking powder – A teaspoon of baking powder to make the flour rise.

Salt and pepper – Season with a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper.

Turmeric powder – A quarter of a teaspoon to achieve a deep orange batter

Fizzy water – Make sure it is cold. It helps to make the whole thing crispy.

Oil for frying – Neutral oil. Optional ingredient is to add two to three tablespoons of fresh annatto oil for a brighter orange colour.

Quick notes about the ingredients

Keep all the ingredients cold – ice cold. Place them in the fridge to make them cold about 2 hours prior to cooking.

Prepare the batter just before frying.

And when mixing the liquid to the dry ingredients, make sure to mix it quickly.

Thin batter is desired for maximum lightness and crispiness.

Quick note about the oil, check the oil is hot using a wooden spoon or chopstick and if it is bubbling it is hot.

How to make battered fish?

1. Pat the fish dry.
2. Cut to desired pieces if not yet done from the fish monger’s.
3. Heat oil in a deep frying vessel.
4. Prepare the batter by mixing the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
5. Add the fizzy water and mix until well combined.
6. Dredge the fish with flour. Shake off the excess flour.
7. Dip the fish into the batter.
8. Carefully place the piece of fish into the hot oil.
9. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.
10. Place on a wire rack to get rid of excess oil.
11. Serve immediately.

Ready to try

Do you avoid frying?

Or are you reluctant to fry at home and go through the cleaning of the splatter afterwards?

You are not alone.

But if a child wants to eat fish which is a tricky topic in some households and that does not exclude ours, go for fried battered fish.

Watch how crispy the batter is when Amon tries it.

Will you give this recipe a try?

Looking for a chunky chips recipe? Try watching this short video and give it a go.

Do you have any easy fish recipes to share for us?

Please leave a comment in the comments section below, I would love to hear about them and give this recipe a try.

Want more real recipes for dinner tonight?

CRISPY BATTERED FISH

Recipe by cookingmummyCourse: Mains, RecipesCuisine: Filipino BritishDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Cooking time

5

minutes

Ingredients

• 8 ounce fish fillet, or 2 4 ounce fish fillets

• 100g plain flour

• 140ml fizzy water

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• salt and pepper to taste

• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

• oil for deep frying

Directions

• Pat the fish dry.
• Cut to desired pieces if not yet done from the fish monger’s.
• Heat oil in a deep frying vessel.
• Prepare the batter by mixing the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
• Add the fizzy water and mix until well combined.
• Dredge the fish with flour. Shake off the excess flour.
• Dip the fish into the batter.
  
• Check the oil is hot by dipping a chopstick into the hot oil and when it bubbles the oil is ready. Carefully place the piece of fish into the hot oil.
• Cook for 3-5 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.
• Place on a wire rack to get rid of excess oil.
• Serve immediately.

Recipe Video

Notes

• Keep all the ingredients cold – ice cold. Place them in the fridge to make them cold about 2 hours prior to cooking.
• Prepare the batter just before frying.
• And when mixing the liquid to the dry ingredients, make sure to mix it quickly.
• Thin batter is desired for maximum lightness and crispiness.
• Quick note about the oil, check the oil is hot using a wooden spoon or chopstick and if it bubbling it is hot.