Classic Fish & Chips
Classic Fish & Chips is a timeless comfort food featuring tender, flaky white fish coated in a light, crispy batter paired with golden double-fried fries. This recipe is simple, family-friendly, and easy to customize with various fish types, batters, and sides, delivering perfect texture and warm nostalgic flavors in every bite.
- Author: Gloria
- Prep Time: 40 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using alternative flour)
Fish and Batter
- 4 white fish fillets (cod or haddock), about 6 ounces each
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or rice/chickpea flour for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus extra for seasoning
- 1 cup cold beer or sparkling water
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Chips
- 4 large starchy potatoes (Russet or sweet potatoes for variation)
- Salt, to season
Frying
- Vegetable or canola oil, for deep frying
- Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and cut potatoes into thick fries. Soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch, ensuring crispier chips.
- Make the Batter: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add cold beer or sparkling water while whisking until you achieve a smooth, thick batter.
- Dry and Season the Fish: Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance natural flavors.
- Preheat the Oil: Heat vegetable or canola oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C) for optimal frying.
- Fry the Chips (First Fry): Drain and dry the potatoes thoroughly. Fry them in batches for 4-5 minutes until soft but not browned. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Fry the Fish: Dip each fillet into the batter, allowing excess to drip off. Carefully lower into hot oil and fry for 5-6 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Fry the Chips (Second Fry): Increase oil temperature to 375°F (190°C). Return the chips to the oil and fry again for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Drain and Serve: Immediately season fish and chips with salt. Serve hot with traditional garnishes such as lemon wedges, flaky sea salt, tartar sauce, and mushy peas or your favorite sides.
Notes
- Keep the batter cold for a lighter, crunchier coating.
- Double-frying the chips results in perfectly crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
- Fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
- Use fresh fish with firm texture for best results.
- Drain fried items well on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 fillet with chips)
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: fish and chips, classic fish and chips, fried fish, battered fish, homemade chips, comfort food, British cuisine, gluten free fish and chips