Fish and Chips

Looking for the perfect pub-style homemade fish and chips recipe? This is the ultimate guide to making crisp, golden battered fish with chunky chips — just like they do it in the UK. Whether you're craving comfort food or planning a British-themed dinner, this basic fish and chips recipe brings that classic flavor straight to your kitchen.

Ingredients Needed for the Fish and Chips Recipe

For the Fish:

• 2 white fish fillets (cod, haddock, or pollock work well)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 egg (optional, for richness)
• ¾ cup cold sparkling water or beer
• Vegetable oil for deep frying

For the Chips:

• 3 large potatoes
• Salt
• Vegetable oil for frying or baking

For the Sauce:

• Try our easy sauce for fish and chips below (tartar-style!)

Easy Fish and Chips Recipe

1.Prepare the potatoes: Peel and cut the potatoes into thick strips. Soak them in cold water for 15–20 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat dry.

2.Par-cook the chips: Blanch the potato strips in hot (but not too hot) oil at 140°C (285°F) for 5–7 minutes. Remove and let them rest on paper towels.

3.Make the batter: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sparkling water (plus egg if using). The consistency should be thick but slightly runny — this is the best batter for fish and chips that gives you that crispy coating!

4.Coat and fry the fish: Season the fish fillets with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Dip into a little flour first, then into the batter. Fry in hot oil (180°C / 350°F) for about 5–7 minutes or until golden and crispy.

5.Finish the chips: Increase the oil temperature to 190°C (375°F) and fry the blanched chips until golden and crisp. Season with salt immediately after frying.

Easy Sauce for Fish and Chips (Tartar-Inspired)

Here’s an easy sauce for fish and chips you can whip up in minutes:

• 4 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp chopped capers
• 1 tsp pickles or gherkins, finely chopped
• A squeeze of lemon juice
• Fresh dill or parsley (optional)

Mix all ingredients and serve chilled.

Tips for the Perfect Fish and Chips

To get that golden crunch and authentic flavor, a few simple tricks can make all the difference:

• Keep your batter cold it helps the coating puff up and crisp when frying.
• Use fresh, firm white fish for the best results.
• Don’t overcrowd the frying pan work in batches for even cooking.
• Drain everything well on paper towels to keep it crisp.

Why This is the Best Homemade Fish and Chips Recipe

This homemade fish and chips recipe is designed to give you all the crunch, flavor, and comfort of the original, without the need for fancy tools or restaurant experience. It’s a basic fish and chips recipe, but with a few key tricks that elevate it to something truly memorable. From the best batter for fish and chips to a super easy fish and chips recipe you can trust, this one's a keeper.