Long John Silver’s Fish Batter Recipe is always the talk of the town. No one can resist a juicy, tender piece of fish coated with a crisp, flavorful batter. Many have wondered how to make this batter at home, but most recipes miss out on a key ingredient that keeps the coating light…club soda. We’ve cracked the code on this proprietary recipe and are excited to bring you our Copycat Long John Silver’s Fish Batter Recipe.
This batter transforms budget-friendly fish into a gourmet delicacy and comes together in less than 30 minutes. Our Long John Silver’s Fish Batter Recipe is a great family dinner, but it’s also an excellent pick for the big game. Pro-Tip: You can also use this recipe to batter chicken, which is what Long John Silvers does. Let’s take a deep dive into the world of battered fish and give you the tools you need to make this iconic recipe in your kitchen.
A Brief History of Battered Fish
It’s hard to pinpoint precisely where battered fish originated, but historians think this tasty dinner started with Jewish families in Spain and Portugal. The dish quickly expanded to England and then the United States. In the past, battered fish was fairly simple, including salt, pepper, and flour. Battered fish of the past was simply a way to switch things up. In the late 1960s, Long John Silvers brought this concept across the pond, where it instantly became an American classic. These days, battered fish has a gourmet British aesthetic and is often served with hearty fries and fresh lemon slices. This entree is served at casual restaurants and upscale joints, like Gordon Ramsay’s Fish & Chips.
Coating fish in batter is a fun way to jazz up a basic ingredient, especially in areas where fish are budget-friendly. This dish usually uses white fish, such as cod or tilapia, but once you have your base recipe down, you can batter any fish. Battered fish is a global staple, not only at British pubs but also at fish frys held during Lent. This dish is simple, but it also contains all the health benefits of seafood. The next time you make this recipe, consider its rich history.
Cost to Make Our Long John Silver’s Fish Batter Recipe
One piece of battered fish from Long John Silvers will cost you at least $3.49. Ouch. That will add up fast, especially considering that most people need more than a piece of fish for dinner..and that it’s nearly impossible to resist a soda and dessert! In contrast, you can make enough of our Long John Silver’s Fish Batter Recipe to serve 4-6 for just $14.88.
Keep in mind that this may differ based on your location and what ingredients you have available. Here’s how that breaks down:
- Vegetable oil: $1.50
- Boneless white fish: $12.00
- Flour: $0.53
- Cornstarch: $0.13
- Powdered sugar: $0.02
- Salt: $0.06
- Baking powder: $0.01
- Baking soda: $0.01
- Smoked paprika: $0.10
- Onion powder: $0.05
- Garlic powder: $0.05
- Black pepper: $0.03
- Club soda: $0.38
Grand Total: $14.88
You can’t beat a fast-food-style fish dinner for less than $20! At that cost, you can splurge and grab some French fries or even chicken to fry alongside the fish.
How to Make Long John Silver’s Fish Batter
Here’s how to make our Long John Silver’s Fish Batter Recipe.
Step One: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
Pour 2-3 inches of oil into the bottom of a large soup pot or Dutch oven and heat the vegetable oil to 350℉ (or you can use a deep fryer). In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Step Two: Add the Club Soda
Slowly add the club soda to the dry ingredients, stirring until homogeneous. Be careful! Your mixture may bubble over if you add the soda too fast.
Step Three: Fry the Fish
Working in batches of 2-3 fish fillets, coat the fish in the batter and gently lower into the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the fish is golden brown and starts to float to the top of the soup pot. Place the fish on a wire cooling rack set over a baking pan to drain.
What to Serve With Our Long John Silver’s Fish Batter Recipe
This fish is tasty on its own, but you can add French fries, coleslaw, and green beans for a complete Long John Silvers style meal.
Storing Leftover Long John Silver’s Fish Batter
You can store leftover cooked, battered fish in the fridge for up to five days or freeze it for up to four months. This is a great make-ahead option for busy nights or when you want something that tastes like fast food without the price tag.
Long John Silver’s Fish Batter Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 count Vegetable oil for frying
- 1¾ cups all purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ⅓ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅓ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅓ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅓ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅓ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ cups club soda
- 2 pounds boneless white fish ex: Cod
Instructions
- Pour 2-3 inches of oil into the bottom of a large soup pot or Dutch oven and heat the vegetable oil to 350℉ (or you can use a deep fryer). In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.1 count Vegetable oil, 1¾ cups all purpose flour, ¼ cup cornstarch, 2 teaspoons powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, ⅓ teaspoon baking powder, ⅓ teaspoon smoked paprika, ⅓ teaspoon onion powder, ⅓ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ⅓ teaspoon baking soda
- Slowly add the club soda to the dry ingredients, stirring until homogeneous. Be careful! Your mixture may bubble over if you add the soda too fast.1½ cups club soda
- Working in batches of 2-3 fish fillets, coat the fish in the batter and gently lower into the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the fish is golden brown and starts to float to the top of the soup pot. Place the fish on a wire cooling rack set over a baking pan to drain.2 pounds boneless white fish
