Description
Crispy Captain D’s-inspired batter dipped fish brings oceanic delight straight to home kitchens with golden-brown perfection. Seafood enthusiasts will savor each crunch-filled bite of this restaurant-quality meal that promises restaurant-style satisfaction without leaving home.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 white fish fillets (cod, haddock, or tilapia)
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Liquid and Frying Ingredients:
- 1 cup cold sparkling water (or cold beer)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Optional Serving Sides:
- Lemon wedges
- Tartar sauce or favorite dipping sauce
Instructions
- Meticulously blot the fish fillets using absorbent paper, eliminating any residual moisture to guarantee optimal batter adherence and crispiness.
- Craft a robust batter by combining dry ingredients in a mixing vessel, creating a harmonious blend of flour, leavening agents, aromatic powders, and seasonings.
- Gradually incorporate cold sparkling water or beer into the dry mixture, whisking methodically until achieving a silky, uniform consistency with a medium-thick texture.
- Prepare a deep cooking vessel, filling it with vegetable oil to a depth of approximately two inches, and heat to a precise 350°F for optimal frying conditions.
- Submerge each fish fillet completely into the prepared batter, ensuring a thorough and even coating that will create a golden, crisp exterior.
- Gently lower the batter-covered fish into the sizzling oil, maintaining adequate spacing between pieces to prevent overcrowding and promote uniform cooking.
- Fry the fish for 4-5 minutes per side, monitoring the color transformation to a rich, amber-brown hue that signals perfect crispiness and doneness.
- Transfer the fried fish onto an absorbent paper-lined surface to drain excess oil, allowing the exterior to maintain its delightful crunch.
- Present the golden-brown fish immediately, accompanied by zesty lemon wedges and creamy tartar sauce to enhance the culinary experience.
Notes
- Keep fish fillets uniformly thick to ensure even cooking and consistent crispy texture.
- Pat fish completely dry before battering to prevent oil splattering and achieve maximum crispiness.
- Use cold sparkling water or beer for lighter, airier batter that creates delicate, crisp coating.
- Maintain oil temperature around 350°F to prevent greasy fish and guarantee perfectly golden exterior.
- Experiment with different white fish like cod, halibut, or tilapia for varied flavor profiles.
- Add cayenne or chili powder to batter for subtle heat and extra dimension.
- Choose gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly version without compromising crispy texture.
- Let excess batter drip off fish before frying to prevent thick, doughy coating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg