Crispy Golden Long John Silvers Fish Batter Recipe At Home

Crafting a crispy long john silvers fish batter recipe brings memories of seaside adventures and golden-brown delights.

Coastal restaurants have nothing on this homemade version that sings with simplicity.

Seafood lovers understand the magic of a perfectly crisp exterior that crackles with each bite.

Maritime traditions inspire this straightforward approach to creating restaurant-quality fried fish.

Professional chefs know the secret lies in balancing texture and flavor with minimal ingredients.

Crisp, light, and irresistibly golden, this batter promises to transport you straight to a classic seafood experience.

Why This Fish Batter Beats the Rest

• Grab Restaurant-Style Taste: Recreate the iconic Long John Silvers crispy fish experience right in your own kitchen with simple ingredients and techniques.
• Master Quick Seafood Coating: Learn an authentic batter technique that transforms ordinary seafood into a restaurant-quality golden crispy delight without complicated steps.
• Perfect for Family Gatherings: Impress everyone with a crowd-pleasing dish that appeals to both kids and adults, making mealtime fun and delicious.
• Customize Your Seafood Adventure: Experiment with different types of seafood like fish, shrimp, or scallops, allowing endless variations to suit every taste preference.

Ingredients for Long John Silvers-Style Fish Batter

• All-Purpose Flour: The fundamental dry ingredient that provides structure and crispiness to the batter.
• Baking Powder: Helps create a light and airy texture in the batter.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the batter and seafood.

• Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky flavor and beautiful golden color to the batter.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Provide depth and savory background notes to the batter.
• Black Pepper: Introduces a mild spicy kick to the seasoning mix.

• Cold Water: Creates the right consistency for coating seafood and helps activate the baking powder.

How to Make Crispy Fish Batter at Home

Step 1: Create Flavor Base

Grab a mixing bowl and toss in flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until they’re perfectly blended, creating a seasoning symphony that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Splash in Liquid Magic

Slowly pour cold water into your dry ingredient mix. Whisk with enthusiasm, transforming the mixture into a silky-smooth batter.

Keep stirring until every single lump disappears, creating a perfectly consistent coating.

Step 3: Let Batter Chill and Develop

Give your batter a quick timeout for 10-15 minutes.

This resting period allows the flavors to mingle and the ingredients to get to know each other, creating a more robust taste profile.

Step 4: Prepare Seafood for Dunking

• Fish fillets
• Shrimp
• Scallops
• Calamari

Dunk each piece completely into the batter, ensuring a full, luxurious coating that’ll crisp up beautifully.

Step 5: Heat Oil to Perfection

Fire up your deep fryer or large skillet. Aim for a sizzling 350°F.

The oil should be hot enough to create an instant crispy exterior but not so hot that it burns.

Step 6: Fry to Golden Crunchiness

Carefully lower battered seafood into the hot oil.

Fry each piece until it turns a gorgeous golden brown. Cooking time varies depending on the thickness of your seafood, but typically takes just a few minutes.

Step 7: Drain and Preserve Crispiness

Rescue your fried delights using a slotted spoon. Place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil, maintaining that perfect crunch.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

• Tartar sauce
• Lemon wedges
• Coleslaw
• French fries

Tips for Perfect Long John Silvers Fish Batter

• Use ice-cold water to create a lighter, crunchier batter that ensures maximum crispiness when fried.
• Pat seafood completely dry before dipping to help the batter stick better and avoid excess moisture.
• Use a thermometer to keep oil at a steady 350F, which prevents greasy and undercooked seafood.
• Letting the batter sit allows gluten to relax and ingredients to blend, resulting in a smoother, more even coating.
• Experiment with additional spices like cayenne or smoked paprika to enhance the flavor profile of your batter.

Variations on Classic Fish Batter Recipe

• Herb-Infused Batter: Add fresh chopped herbs like parsley, dill, or chives to the dry ingredients for an aromatic seafood coating that brings garden-fresh flavors.
• Spicy Cajun Batter: Mix in cayenne pepper, paprika, and a dash of hot sauce to create a zesty, fiery batter that gives a bold kick to your seafood.
• Beer-Battered Version: Replace cold water with light beer to create a lighter, crispier texture with subtle malty undertones and enhanced crunch.
• Gluten-Free Alternative: Swap wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the recipe accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.

What to Serve with Crispy Fish Batter

• Zesty Lemon Tartar Sauce Pairing: Whip up a tangy homemade tartar sauce with chopped pickles, fresh dill, mayo, and a squeeze of lemon to complement the crispy fish's rich flavor.
• Crisp Coleslaw Companion: Create a light, refreshing coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a vinegar-based dressing to cut through the fried batter's heaviness.
• Beer Batter Beverage Match: Serve an ice-cold light beer or wheat beer that will enhance the crispy texture and provide a smooth, refreshing contrast to the fried seafood.

How to Store Long John Silvers Fish Batter

• Store leftover battered seafood in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Place paper towels between layers to absorb moisture and prevent sogginess.
• Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen battered seafood can last up to 1 month without losing quality.
• Preheat oven to 375F. Arrange leftovers on a wire rack over a baking sheet to maintain crispiness. Bake for 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway through to ensure even heating.

FAQs

• Why is cold water important in this batter recipe?

Cold water helps create a lighter, crispier coating by preventing gluten development and ensuring the batter stays airy when fried.

• Can I use this batter for other proteins besides seafood?

Absolutely! This batter works great for chicken, vegetables, and even onion rings. The seasoning blend is versatile and adds delicious flavor to many foods.

• How do I know the batter is mixed correctly?

The batter should be smooth with no visible flour lumps and have a consistency similar to thin pancake batter. Whisking thoroughly and letting it rest helps achieve the right texture.

• What if my batter is too thick or thin?

If too thick, add a little more cold water. If too thin, sprinkle in a bit more flour until you reach the desired consistency that coats the seafood evenly.

Long John Silvers Fish Batter Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Golden, crispy Long John Silver’s fish batter brings ocean-fresh seafood to home kitchens with restaurant-quality crunch. Perfectly seasoned coating delivers irresistible texture that elevates simple fish into a delightful culinary experience you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Liquid Ingredient:

• 1 cup cold water

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Instructions

1. Gather all dry ingredients in a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly blending flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to ensure uniform spice distribution.
2. Slowly incorporate cold water into the dry mixture, whisking continuously to create a silky, lump-free batter with a consistent texture.
3. Allow the batter to rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature, enabling ingredient hydration and flavor integration.
4. Prepare seafood by patting it dry, then generously dunk each piece into the prepared batter, ensuring complete and even coating.
5. Heat cooking oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed skillet, maintaining a consistent temperature for optimal frying.
6. Gently lower battered seafood into hot oil, cooking until the exterior turns a rich golden brown and achieves a crisp, crunchy texture (approximately 2-3 minutes).
7. Carefully extract fried seafood using a slotted spoon, transferring to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and preserve crispiness.
8. Plate the golden-brown seafood alongside preferred dipping sauces, such as tartar sauce or lemon wedges, for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Chill your water before mixing to achieve a lighter, crispier batter that stays extra crunchy when fried.
• Add a splash of beer or sparkling water instead of plain water for an even more airy and crisp texture that elevates the coating.
• Experiment with gluten-free flour blends to make this recipe friendly for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy crispy seafood.
• Pat seafood completely dry before dipping into batter to prevent excess moisture that could make the coating soggy and less crisp.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 108 kcal
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 282 mg
• Fat: 0.3 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg