If you like fried fish, this Pancake Batter Fried Fish is a game-changer. The coating is fluffy and light while remaining crispy and golden brown on the outside. It speeds up the preparation but tastes just as good as a homemade batter.
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The pancake mix only requires water to create the batter, so it’s super simple! I substitute it for beer to add depth and authenticity! Add spices to your preferences, and the fish will fry to perfection! It’s so crunchy, and the inside is tender and succulent. You’ll want to make this every week!
If you like simple fried recipes, you will love my crispy Southern Fried Shrimp and this Captain Crunch Chicken.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It’s inexpensive: This is a cheap way to make a delicious batter for your fish! You can have delicious food without spending a fortune or making every component from scratch.
- It’s picky eater approved: if you have some picky eaters in your house, don’t worry! White fish has a fairly neutral flavor compared to other varieties like salmon. When it’s battered and fried, it takes on flavor perfectly, so it’s not super “fishy.”
- It’s versatile: This pancake batter fish can be served in several different ways. Enjoy it with a classic side like fries or slaw, or make a sandwich out of it. There are no rules!
Ingredients
These are the ingredients you’ll need to make an awesome pancake batter for fish. I included options for spice mixes so you can truly choose your adventure!
- White fish: Try any white fish that you like! Great choices for this recipe are cod and haddock. Even tilapia would be delicious, too.
- Pancake mix: Use any boxed pancake mix that you love that just needs water. This is the best shortcut I’ve learned to make the pancake batter for deep frying. If you’re unsure of what kind to get, I love a good buttermilk fish batter.
- Beer: Any flat beer will do great. Allow all of the bubbles to escape before you use it. You can use a variety with or without alcohol, just not a light beer, so you get the proper texture. Want to skip the beer? No problem! Make the fish batter with no beer and use water instead.
- Savory spices: For a savory version, I use salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. You can even use cayenne or seasoned salt, too.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Pancake batter chicken: Try this recipe using chicken tenderloins and make pancake batter fried chicken tenders.
- Coconut pancake batter: Add shredded coconut to the batter and some coconut oil for the frying for a tropical twist.
- Crunchier coating: Coat your fish in flour before placing it into the batter for an extra crunchy result.
- Sweet spices: To make a sweet version, swap the savory spices for powdered vanilla bean, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. This works well to batter and fry up apples, peaches, or other fruits and sweets.
How to Make Pancake Batter Fried Fish
To get started, preheat your oven to 200°F and have a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack ready. Then, ensure that you fill your heavy frying pan with about ½ to ¾ inch of oil and heat it to 350 degrees F before preparing the fish fillets.
Step 1: Prepare batter and dip the fish. Whisk together the pancake mix and seasonings with beer or water and your choice of seasonings. Dip the filets into the batter and let the excess drip off.
Step 2: Fry and serve. Cook the fish in the hot oil for 2-5 minutes or until golden. Then, flip it and cook it for another 2-5 minutes. Place the fried fish pieces in a warm oven until all the pieces are ready. Serve the fish hot with lemon and this copycat Kraft tartar sauce!
Recipe Tips
- Don’t let the batter sit too long: The fresher the pancake mix fish batter is, the better it fries up nice and fluffy. Prepare it right when you’re ready to cook.
- Ensure the oil is ready before frying: If the oil isn’t hot enough, the fish won’t cook properly. A great way to check is to flick a little water in the oil, and if it sizzles, it’s ready.
- Cook in batches if needed: You don’t want to crowd the oil, so the fish browns evenly on all sides. Cook the pieces in batches if needed to ensure they cook through.
If you love recipes like this deep-fried fish, you may also enjoy these Fried Salmon Bites.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store extra fish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You may freeze them in a Ziploc bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: I recommend reheating them in the oven or air fryer because the microwave will make them soggy. 350°F is perfect for 10 minutes in the oven or 6-8 minutes in the air fryer.
Serving Suggestions
- A classic side is coleslaw. My old-fashioned coleslaw recipe is a traditional and tasty slaw that would pair perfectly.
- Fries are great, too. Especially these air fryer steak fries!
- Another traditional accompaniment to fried fish is baked beans, so try these slow cooker baked beans.
- This easy tartar sauce makes an amazing dip!
Recipe FAQs
Of course. The timing will be around the same for deep frying the fish.
Of course. I use peanut oil, but if you have a peanut allergy, vegetable oil or canola oil make great substitutes. Just be sure the oil you choose is suitable for frying.
Check the temperature to make sure it's at 350° F. If you don't own or use one, flick a little water into the oil, and if it sizzles instantly the oil is ready. You can also add a little drop of pancake batter to the oil. If it darkens right away, the oil is too hot. If the drop sinks to the bottom and stays there too long, the oil isn't hot enough. You know it's the right temperature when the drop goes to the bottom and quickly floats to the top and starts to sizzle around the edges. That's when it's time to fry.
More Delicious Fish Recipes
Do you like fish recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
Video
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Crispy Pancake Batter Fish
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 - 1 ¼ pounds white fish If using frozen fillets, totally defrost then make sure they are dried with paper towel. defrosted. For fast defrosting, frozen fillets can be soaked in cool tap water.
- 1 cup pancake mix that only requires water
- peanut oil for frying to ½ - ¾ inch deep amount dependent on size of frying pan
- ⅔ cup water or your favorite brand of flat pilsner or ale beer, with or without alcohol, no light beer or malt beer
Savory Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt or seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper or cayenne
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- In a heavy frying pan, pour enough oil that reaches up to a ½ to ¾ of an inch up the sides of the pan. Turn heat to medium high.
- Turn your oven to 200 degrees and place a rimmed baking sheet a wire rack on top.
- Using a thermometer, oil should reach 350 degrees. If you don't own or use one, flick a drop of water into the oil and if it dances your batter is ready. Or add a little drop of pancake batter with a fork to the oil. If it turns black right away,the oil is too hot. If the drop sinks to the bottom and stays there too long, the oil isn't hot enough. You know it's the right temperature when the drop goes to the bottom and quickly floats to the top and starts to sizzle around the edges.
- In a medium sized bowl, make pancake mix according to package directions. If using beer instead of water, make sure beer is totally flat, with no bubbles at all. Combine and set aside in your fridge or make batter once oil is ready. The longer the baking powder in the pancake mix sits at room temperature, the more ineffective it becomes. I always make my batter right before I need it or refrigerate batter until needed.
- Dip fillets into pancake batter, shake off the excess and gently lay into the hot oil.
- Fry until golden brown, between 2-5 minutes, depending on how thick the fillet is. Use a spatula and gently turn the fish over and cook for another 2-5 minutes or golden brown.
- Once golden brown on both sides, move each piece into the oven while cooking the rest of the fish. Keeping the fish warm in the oven will help keep it crispy until you are ready to eat it.
- When all cooked, serve at once with fresh lemon and tartar sauce. Enjoy every bite!
Basic Flour Mixture for a Crunchier Coating
- Press fish or chicken into flour mixture, shaking off excess. Then dip in wet batter and allow excess to drip off.
- Immediately afterwards, press into flour mixture again BEFORE frying. Make sure fish, shrimp, crab or chicken pieces are fully covered in batter, on all sides, and allow excess batter to drip off before deep frying in oil.
Video
Notes
- Store leftover fried white fish in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container.
- Try making this recipe using water instead of beer in the pancake batter if you would like to skip the alcohol (there's non-alcoholic beer, but water is fine if you don’t enjoy the taste).
- Cook your fish in batches if needed so you don’t overcrowd the oil. This keeps the pancake-battered fish from getting evenly crispy.
- For a sweet version, replace the savory seasonings with a teaspoon of vanilla powder, cinnamon, or pumpkin pie spice.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in March 2016. It's been updated with new content and images.
Eman says
I used a full cup of mix like the recipe calls for, for 1.25 pounds halibut. I would use less batter, like half the recipe for that amount, but it was perfect.
Karin and Ken says
I’m so happy you enjoyed this easy recipe! We still use it ourselves after all these years. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. All the best. Karin
Don Parr says
Not a big fish eater myself but will eat it once in awhile! Was looking for a Tempura recipe for Black Sea Bass caught off New Jersey waters but that looked to complicated! So I googled pancake mix for fish batter and found this recipe!! All I can say I will be having Black Sea Bass again tonight for the first time ever having any fish for two nights in a row!! Thank you for taking the time to put your recipe up on the internet.
Don P.
Karin and Ken says
As always we try our best! Thank you for taking the time to comment. You made my day! Enjoy your dinner! Take care and all the best. Karin
Brenda says
Absolutely loved this simple recipe. Thank you KD💕
Karin and Ken says
As always you’re most welcome! We still love this super easy recipe too! All the best. Karin
Clay says
Very good recipe it worked great I mixed in the sweetness of the cinnamon along with the savory of the salt pepper and garlic powder along with the water and a little bit more pancake mix Dakota fish fry and then didn't use it all but it did work
Karin and Ken says
You honestly made my day. Thank you for taking the time to let me know 💕 All the best to you. Karin
Marianna says
Excellent easy recipe can’t go wrong
Karin and Ken says
I could not agree more! All the best. Karin
Nancy says
Excellent recipe Everyone loved them Thx for sharing
Karin and Ken says
I’m glad to hear it. We love this easy recipe! Thank you for taking the time to let me know. Enjoy your day. Karin
Karin and Ken says
Thank you for your kind words! This recipe holds a special place in our hearts. I’m glad you enjoy it too. All the best. Karin
Maerge says
All of it good. Chicken fish shrimp. All of it Thank you for the idea for camping but I make it in my house too now works really well Thx for sharing
Karin and Ken says
As always, you are most welcome. Thank you for taking the time to let me know that you enjoy this recipe. Means the world to me! Hope you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much. Take care. Karin
Marc says
Excellent easy recipe Tasted delicious Thank you.
Karin and Ken says
As always you are most welcome! I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to let me know! All the best. Karin
Sam says
Easy and grandkids gobbled it up thank you for sharing never thought to use pancake mix as fish batter but it tasted great
Karin and Ken says
Glad you were pleasantly surprised and your grandchildren enjoyed it! So easy to do I still can't believe it myself! Take care and be well. Karin
Francis says
Never imagined fried fish could be this easy thx
Karin and Ken says
Me either! Glad you could use the recipe! All the best. Karin
Marcus says
What a great idea to make fish while camping Glad you mentioned it Love the story about your grandfather Im going to make fish just like him Thank you friend
Karin and Ken says
You are very welcome! This is a very easy recipe to make camping. Tastes great too. I’m glad you will be trying it. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Take care. Karin
Marianne says
You weren’t kidding that fish and chips recipe is better than in a restaurant. Thank you for sharing it
Karin and Ken says
As always you are most welcome! I love it myself. I’m so glad you tried it. I always wondered if anyone did! I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to comment. Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! All the best. Karin
Jeff says
Going to try on shrimp
Karin and Ken says
Lately my husband has been putting flat beer instead of water or a little juice from our jar of minced garlic with the water for some extra flavor! Please let me know how it goes if you don’t mind. I am excited to hear! All the best. Karin
Vick says
The fish is excellent when fried this way
Karin and Ken says
I could not agree more! Glad I am not the only one who thinks so! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! Take care and enjoy your day! Karin