Go Back Email Link
Baskets of crispy beer battered fish and chips, served with fresh lemon wedges, homemade tartar sauce, a cold beer, and malt vinegar.
Sacha Hirschfeld

Beer Battered Fish and Chips

I don't play when it comes to Fish & Chips! These Beer Battered Fish and Chips are a must for any Nova Scotian who's moved away from home.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Mains
Cuisine: Nova-Scotian, Seafood
Calories: 326
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ lb halibut or another firm fleshed white fish Alaskan Cod or Haddock
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 1 ¼ cup super freaking cold beer don't use a stout or porter
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp old bay seasoning
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • oil for frying high smoke point

Equipment

  • 1 kitchen thermometer long stainless steel stem is best for deep-frying
  • 1 wire baking rack
  • 1 large Dutch oven
  • 1 pair of tongs
  • 1 whisk
  • 1 medium bowl wide enough to fit each piece of fish

Method
 

  1. Add the oil to a large Dutch-oven until it's 2-3" deep. Heat oil to 375° F, checking periodically with a kitchen thermometer.
  2. While the oil heats up, cut the fish into even sized pieces and pat dry with paper towels. Season the fish on both sides with kosher salt and black pepper.
  3. To make the beer batter, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, paprika, and Old Bay. Stir in the lightly beaten egg, then slowly whisk in the beer until the batter forms and there are no more lumps.
  4. Dip the fish one piece at a time in the batter, then place in the hot oil. Cook for 5 minutes, or until fish is nice and golden brown. Drain on a wire rack (very important to maintain crispiness) and enjoy hot!

Notes

I served mine alongside Homemade Tartar Sauce, malt vinegar, lots of lemon wedges, rosemary fries, and a sprinkling of flakey sea salt & chopped parsley. We put everything on a tray and took it upstairs to eat on the rooftop. What a perfect way to spend the afternoon!