Crispy Fried Fish Batter with Herbs

Introduction

Few things are as crave-worthy as biting into a piece of perfectly crisp, golden brown fried fish flavored with the freshness of garden herbs. This Crispy Fried Fish Batter with Herbs recipe guarantees a shattering crunch and a fragrant, herby aroma—with every tender bite encased in a flavorful, light-as-air crust. Whether you’re serving up a weeknight treat or wowing guests with a seafood platter, this batter will turn simple fish fillets into a crowd-pleasing hit.

Deliciously Crisp and Fragrant Fried Fish

What makes this recipe stand out is the simple addition of chopped herbs to a light, bubbly batter. The fresh parsley, dill, and chives permeate the coating, infusing each bite with verdant flavor while providing contrast to the salty, golden crust. It’s a simple yet impactful twist on classic fried fish, sure to impress both traditionalists and adventurous eaters alike.

Secrets to the Lightest, Crispiest Herb Batter

The secret to extra crispy fried fish lies in the combination of cold sparkling water and cornstarch in the batter. The fizz in the water creates tiny bubbles, delivering a light texture, while the cornstarch ensures crispness. Stirring in freshly chopped herbs elevates the flavor, turning each bite fragrant and refreshing. The key is to keep the batter cold and mix just until combined for the best texture.

Coating and Frying for Ultimate Crunch

To ensure your fish is perfectly coated, dust fillets lightly with flour before dipping them in the batter. Fry in hot oil (about 350°F) to create a golden, craggy crust. Resist the urge to overcrowd the pan; this allows each piece to fry evenly, ensuring maximum crunch. Serve immediately for the best texture—you’ll love the contrast between the crisp crust and flaky, moist fish.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Fried Fish

Pile the crispy herbed fish on a platter, sprinkle with extra fresh herbs, and accompany with lemon wedges for brightness. Classic sides like tartar sauce, coleslaw, and hand-cut fries pair beautifully, or create a fresh fish taco with soft tortillas and shredded cabbage. This versatile batter is perfect for cod, haddock, tilapia, or even shrimp!

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields four servings of deliciously herbed, crispy fried fish. Each serving (excluding frying oil absorption and sides) provides approximately 350–400 calories. For a lighter meal, serve with a crisp green salad and plenty of lemon.

Crispy Fried Fish Batter with Herbs (Recap)

This recipe delivers on its promise: ultra-crispy, beautifully seasoned fried fish with the flavor of fresh herbs in every bite. Easy enough for weeknight cooking but impressive enough for special occasions, it’s a must-make dish for any seafood lover.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and streamlined meal planning.

Instructions

1. Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and chopped herbs.
3. Gradually whisk in the cold sparkling water until you have a smooth, thick batter (add more water if needed to reach a consistency that will coat the back of a spoon).
4. Heat about 1–2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or saucepan to 350°F (175°C).
5. Lightly dredge each fish fillet in additional flour, shaking off any excess.
6. Dip each fillet into the batter, letting any excess drip off.
7. Carefully lower into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 3–4 minutes per side or until the coating is golden brown and crisp and the fish is cooked through.
8. Remove cooked fish to a paper towel-lined plate. Season with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt while hot.
9. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and your favorite sides.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe fits seamlessly into a weekly meal plan, whether you’re planning a seafood night or prepping ahead for busy evenings. Save and schedule this recipe to automatically consolidate needed ingredients with those from other planned dinners, generating a ready-to-use shopping list and making weeknight cooking stress-free.

Planning Benefits:

• Effortlessly totals ingredients when planning multiple recipes (no overbuying or leftover waste)
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery aisle for maximum efficiency
• Avoids forgotten ingredients and duplicate purchases
• Streamlines weekly cooking with one-click scheduling and recipe organization

Pro Tip: When planning a fish fry and other meals with overlapping ingredients (like flour or herbs), let CookifyAI tally your shopping needs so you’ll always buy just the right amount.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes

Enjoy flavorful, crispy herbed fried fish made easy for any night of the week—with meal planning and shopping made even easier!