Easy Beer Battered Crispy Fried Cod Recipes with Fries

Love fried cod recipes? Well, this beer batter is great for dipping fresh cod fillets in, and it’s a great choice for any fish. My fish turned out crunchy and flaky and whether you make a fried cod sandwich, a fish taco, or fish and chips, this sturdy white fish has great flavor and is perfect for frying!

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Cod filets are awesome for fish and chips and even though fried cod recipes are not often on my radar, my love of fried foods got to me!

Though I love fried food, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I fry each year.

I reserve French fries for those moments when I go out!

I do make latkes once a year and try to budget in my soft shell crab, but frying is something that I consider a luxury.

A luxury for my waistline that is!

Even though I burn a candle when I fry, I still don’t like the aroma of frying that lingers even when the fan is going on high speed.

But last weekend when I found myself at Costco, the cod looked woderful.

And though 1.5 lbs is a lot for two people, I just kept thinking fish and chips.

And when I mentioned it to Manservant he loved the idea.

Fried Cod Recipes Are Amazing

With this over abundance of fresh fish I wanted to do this fried fish justice.

And to tell the truth-nothing is better on Atlantic cod than my homemade beer batter.

Crispy and  golden brown and with a light tempura crunch, this is the best way I know of to fry this mild fish.

Yes, this is the same batter I use on soft shell crab because when you’ve got a good thing going, why change the formula?

Cooking the fish fast makes for moist, flaky fish with a crunchy, crispy crust.

Hard to not like that, right?

Ingredients for Fried Cod Recipes

Fresh Cod Fillets, Haddock, Hake, Flounder, Pollack

Flour

Cornstarch

Baking Powder 

Turmeric

Salt, Cayenne Pepper or Black Pepper

Egg

Rice Vinegar or Malt Vinegar

Wheat Beer or Club Soda

Canola Oil

Russet Potatoes

How To Make this Fresh Fried Cod Recipe:

Begin by making the batter. This is almost like making batter for pancakes, but the seasonings are different.

Make the Batter

In a 2 c mixing cup, stir together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, turmeric, salt and cayenne.

In a larger bowl, whisk together the egg, vinegar and 1/2 a bottle of the beer. Using a spatula, fold the flour into the beer mixture. 

It should have the consistency of thin pancake batter and may be a bit lumpy, so do not over mix. Add more beer if needed to achieve the desired consistency. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

You probably will only use half of the beer. Please don’t let it go to waste!

Cook the Fries

Fry the French fries before the cod!

When ready to fry heat 2″ of olive oil or vegetable oil in a deep, large skillet over medium heat until it reaches 300 degrees.

It seems like a lot of cooking oil but remember it is being used for the French fries and the deep-fried cod,

Cut cod into long vertical pieces. Cut Idaho potatoes for French fries by slicing off each end and then slicing the potato into 1/2″ potato slices the length of the potato.

Stack the potatoes slices back up and then slice into French fries. Place in cold water to rinse them of starch and then remove to a strainer and rinse again.

Place them on paper towels or a dish towel to dry. Blot the potatoes on all sides to dry.

When the oil is ready for deep frying, place the potato sticks into the medium temperature oil and fry them for 5 minutes.

They will not brown. Set aside at room temperature until ready to prepare your dinner.

Heat the oil to medium-high heat or 375 degrees f. Place the fried potatoes into the oil and fry until goden brown and crisp, about 5 minutes.

Drain on paper towels and sprinkle immediately with salt.

Keep warm on a wire rack placed in a baking sheet in a 200 degree preheated oven for about 20 minutes.

Note: French fries may have to be fried in batches. Do not crowd the fries in the skillet or they will take forever to fry!

​Now Fry the Fish

Now dip the cut cod into the beer batter and let the excess drip back into the bowl.

Place the battered fish in a single layer in the skillet, leaving space between each piece. I had to fry my fish in two batches.

Cook time to fry cod is about 3-4 minutes per side.

After the bottom is golden brown, carefully turn the fish over using two spatulas.

I use one spatula to flip the fish onto as I carefully lower the fish back into the oil This prevents splashing.

Cook another few minutes until both sides are golden and crunchy.

Drain oil on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt. Place in oven with French fries to stay warm.

FAQ’s

What to Serve with Fried Fish Or Fried Cod Recipes:

I served fish and chips with malt vinegar and homemade tartar sauce.

A squeeze of lemon juice is also good.

French fries, Old Bay potato salad or creamy coleslaw would also be great.

There is usually beer batter left over from this fried cod recipe. Perhaps you should try frying a few onion rings! (Wish I would have thought of this when I made them!)

Fried fish was always a Friday night recipe at the supper clubs in Kankakee.

Frankly, I think Manservant would love if this was a go-to recipe on Friday night, too!

I know you’ll add this to your folder of easy fried cod recipes.

After you try it feel free to come back and give me a star rating letting me know what you think.

Other Seafood Recipes You May Enjoy!

Irish Cod Fish Cakes with Tartar Sauce

Pan Fried Rainbow Trout with Red Chile

Cajun Pan Fried Fish with Brown Butter and Pecans

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