Beer-Battered Haddock: Flaky, Golden, and Fried in Crisp Beer Crunch

Beer-Battered Haddock is the fish fry favorite with bold beer backbone — flaky, mild white fish wrapped in a light, crispy beer batter that shatters with every bite.

It’s pub-style comfort done right: clean-tasting fish, bubbly batter, and enough malty edge from the beer to make the flavor stand up without weighing anything down.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Haddock

• 1½ to 2 lbs haddock fillets (skin off, cut into 4–6″ pieces)
• Salt and pepper
• ½ cup flour (for dredging)

For the Beer Batter

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp cayenne or smoked paprika (optional)
• ¾ to 1 cup cold beer (lager, cream ale, or pale ale — light and malty)
• Salt to taste

For Frying

• Neutral oil (canola, vegetable, or peanut), heated to 350°F (175°C)
• Lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or malt vinegar to serve

Instructions

Prep the Fish

• Pat haddock dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Dredge in flour to create a base for the batter to stick.

Make the Batter

• In a bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and seasonings.
• Slowly whisk in cold beer until smooth and thick enough to coat the fish.
• Chill briefly while you heat the oil.

Fry the Haddock

• Dip fish into batter, letting excess drip off.
• Carefully lower into hot oil and fry 3–5 minutes per side, until deep golden and crisp.
• Drain on a wire rack or paper towels and salt while hot.

Serve Hot

• Serve immediately with lemon wedges, dipping sauces, or as a full fish fry platter with sides.

Serving Suggestions

Serve With

• Fries or potato wedges
• Creamy slaw or pickle chips
• Beer cheese dip or tartar sauce
• Rye toast, lemon wedges, and malt vinegar

Make It a Meal

• Fish & Chips Basket – classic combo, served with malt vinegar
• Haddock Sandwich – soft bun, lettuce, tartar, pickles
• Taco Remix – flaked fish in corn tortillas with slaw + crema

Beer Pairing

In the Batter

• Lager (crisp and neutral)
• Cream ale (smooth and lightly malty)
• Pale ale (adds body and slight citrus edge)
• Avoid overly bitter or dark beers — haddock is too delicate

In Your Glass

• Same beer as the batter
• Kölsch or pilsner for sharp, clean contrast
• Blonde ale or wheat beer for smooth balance
• Gose or lemon shandy for bright, acidic lift

Final Thoughts

Beer-Battered Haddock is flaky, golden, and ready for anything — simple to make, impossible to stop eating, and always better with beer in the batter and a cold one on the side.

Whether you’re frying for Friday night or building the perfect sandwich, this fish fries right and eats clean.

Cheers to crisp batter, mild fish, and beer in every golden flake! 🍺🐟🔥

🐟 Explore More Beer-Battered Fish Recipes

Light, crispy, golden batter with a malty bite — these beer-battered classics go beyond fish and chips to cover tacos, sandwiches, shrimp, and even chicken. Fry night just got legendary.

🍺 Beer-Battered Fish (Main Guide) – Our go-to recipes for classic pub-style fried fish.
🌮 Beer-Battered Fish Tacos – Crispy fish, zesty slaw, and bold flavor in every bite.
🧂 Beer-Battered Cod – Flaky cod fillets with a crunchy, airy crust.
🌊 Beer-Battered Halibut – Meaty halibut wrapped in a light golden batter.
🐠 Beer-Battered Tilapia – A budget-friendly favorite with great texture.
🎣 Beer-Battered Walleye – A Midwest classic, fried to perfection.
⚓ Beer-Battered Perch – Delicate lake perch in a crispy beer shell.
🌬️ Beer-Battered Haddock – Light, flaky, and pub-ready.
🦐 Beer-Battered Shrimp – Juicy shrimp with a golden beer crunch.
🐓 Beer-Battered Chicken – A crispy twist on fried chicken with beer batter flair.
🐟 Beer-Battered Catfish – Southern-style catfish meets beer-battered crisp.
🥪 Beer-Battered Fish Sandwich – Piled high, crispy and saucy between buns.

Explore Our Top Cooking-with-Beer Recipes 🍺 🍺

From crispy beer-battered classics to bold mains, cheesy dips, breads, and even desserts — these roundups bring together the best of beer-infused cooking. Whether you’re hosting a game day, planning a backyard BBQ, or just experimenting in the kitchen, there’s a beer recipe collection for every craving.

• 🍽️ Cooking with Beer (Main Hub) – Your ultimate guide to cooking with beer, from mains to apps and desserts.
• 🥨 Beer-Battered Appetizers and Sides – – Crispy onion rings, fried pickles, mushrooms, zucchini, & more pub-style favorites with a golden beer crunch.
• 🍞 Beer Bread Recipes – From 2-ingredient quick breads to jalapeño cheese loaves.
• 🧀 Beer Cheese & Dips – Beer cheese soup, queso, nachos, ranch dip & more.
• 🍖 Beer Can Chicken & Grilled Mains – Bold, juicy recipes straight from the grill.
• 🌶️ Beer Infused Chili’s – Hearty, bold, and slow-simmered beer-infused chili.
• 🍻 Beer Mac & Cheese – Creamy, quick& easy, made to impress.
• 🍰 Beer-Infused Desserts & Sweets – Sweet treats made better with beer.
• 🎉 Oktoberfest & Seasonal Ideas – Perfect pairings for parties, fall feasts, and festive gatherings.