IPA-Battered Fish and Chips Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Can I use IPA for beer battered fish? ›

Typically, IPAs are not the best beers for batter because they tend to be bitter and very thin. They also contain floral hop flavors, which are essentially eradicated when cooked. All that's left behind is the malty taste of the beer.

All you need for beer batter is cold beer, flour, rice flour, baking powder and salt. For a non alcoholic version, just substitute beer with soda water.

First, the bubbles provide lift as they escape from the batter during frying. Second, the carbonation makes the batter slightly more acidic, which limits how much gluten can form when the beer and flour mix, preventing the batter from turning tough.

Made with all-natural, wild-caught Alaska Pollock, the fillets are coated in a light, crispy batter made with Hop Valley's Kraken Stash IPA, a hoppy, flavorful beer that adds a delicious depth of flavor. Each piece deep-fries to a mouthwatering golden brown and delivers a great crunchy texture.

Swap the beer for soda

Found among the beer and wine, but lacking the alcohol, is the perfect swap for beer battered fish: club soda. Full of bubbles due to its carbonation, club soda can give the same lightness to a batter as beer would.

Very few fish and chip shops use beer in their batter. Those that do are likely to advertise the fact. Some pubs (those that want to be called gastro-pubs) use beer batter and will say so.

Let the fish enjoy a nice cold one! The introduction of ice-cold batter to super hot cooking oil for frying makes the shell puff up almost instantly. If the beer or the batter is room-temperature, the fish won't be as crisp and puffy.

Beer Batter Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you'll need to make this basic beer batter recipe: Flour: This homemade beer batter starts with all-purpose flour. Cornstarch: Cornstarch ensures an extra crispy, light fry every time. Egg: An egg creates a more delicate crust and helps seal in moisture.

Oil Temperature – If your oil is not hot enough, you could end up with an oversaturated coating that is soggy and unappetizing. If your oil is too hot, you'll end up burning the outside of the fish coating, not giving the fish inside enough time to get cooked and flaky.

Can kids eat beer battered fish? ›

Yes. Completely. All the alcohol cooks out in the depp frying process and the remaining malt products are the same malt that all baby foods contain. The flavoring in beer comes from hops.

Haddock is the fish that most chefs prefer for fish and chips. The texture isn't as flaky or tender as cod but the meat has more flavor. Haddock has a slight sweetness that pairs well with the buttery flavor of the batter.

What do beer battered fish, Bolognese sauce and tiramisu have in common? The answer is their recipes contain alcohol. Most people know that alcohol is not Halal for Muslims to consume.

The right choice of a good quality, carbonated beer is essential for creating the perfect batter. For fish dishes such as cod, halibut, or haddock, one should consider lagers or porters, while those looking for the classic fried onion ring can opt for pale ales like Pabst Blue Ribbon or Newcastle Brown Ale.

Different beers will yield varied flavors. I like a robust beer, like an IPA or stout, but any American light lager (Coors Light, Bud Light, Miller Lite, etc.) works great, too. Fish with white fillets are ideal for beer batter.

Neither milk nor beer is necessary to make batter for French fries or chips at home. A simple batter can be made by mixing flour, salt, and water until a smooth consistency is achieved. Some recipes may also include other ingredients such as cornstarch, baking powder, or spices for added flavor and texture.

Beer Batter Ingredients

Egg: An egg creates a more delicate crust and helps seal in moisture. Seasonings: Season the beer batter with garlic powder, black pepper, and seasoning salt. Beer: Of course, you'll need beer! A light beer will give you a milder flavor, while a dark beer will have a richer taste.