Name: Delicious Air Fryer Beer Battered Fish Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound fish fillets; 3/4 cup light beer; 1.5 cups all-purpose flour - divided; 1 large egg - slightly beaten; 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; Cooking spray - canola oil or olive oil spray; Serve with ketchup, malt vinegar, lemon wedge, or tangy tartar sauce.

Jump to Recipe

If you love the crunch of crispy beer-battered fish but want to skip the deep frying cooking process, you’re in for a treat!

This delicious beer-battered fish recipe is made with mild white fish, coated in a flavorful beer batter, and cooked in an air fryer until golden brown.

There are four pieces of fried fish laying on top of a pile of crinkle french fries, a small mound of red ketchup on a piece of brown parchment paper. There is also a small clear glass bowl with coleslaw in it and a small clear glass dish with a dark brown liquid in it on the parchment paper.

Air fryer beer battered fish is a delightful dish that combines a lightly crunchy outside crust with moist tender fish inside.

The perfect fillet for a fish sandwich, fish and chips, or crispy fish tacos.

It’s an easy recipe ready to be served in about 20 to 30 minutes.

The air fryer creates that perfect golden crunchy coating without needing hot oil, resulting in a healthier and lighter version of your favorite beer-battered fish!

Beer Battered Fish Ingredients

There is a large white bowl with big pieces of raw white fish in it. There is a large clear bowl with white flour in it. There is a bottle of light beer, a small white bowl with a brown egg in it. In front of the white bowl there are two wooden scoop like dishes. One of them has white powdered corn starch and the other has little mounds of dry seasonings in it. Items are on a light gray surface.

What You Will Need

Fish fillets

Light beer

All-purpose flour

1 large egg

Garlic powder

Smoked paprika

Onion powder

Fine sea salt

Black pepper

Cornstarch

Cooking spray

There are four pieces of fried fish laying on top of a pile of crinkle french fries on a piece of brown parchment paper.

Let’s dive into the ingredients for crispy beer batter fish

The Perfect Fish Fillets: Opt for mild, firm, flaky white fish like fresh cod, haddock, or tilapia. These varieties hold up well to the wet batter and the air-frying process.

Beer: Use your favorite light beer for this recipe. (see FAQ’s) The beer gives the batter its light and airy texture as well as a wonderful flavor.

Flour: All-purpose flour is the main dry ingredient of batter. Flour absorbs excess moisture which helps create a crispy batter.

Corn Starch: Often used when frying fish or chicken, cornstarch helps create the extra crunch on the outside of the batter.

Egg: Helps the flour mixture stick to the fish.

Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder. Optional – Sprinkle a little bit of old bay seasoning just before serving.

Ketchup, malt vinegar, lemon wedge, and tangy tartar sauce to serve with.

Helpful Tools And Equipment

2 large bowls

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Small bowl

Kitchen tongs

Large spoon

Paper towels

Oven mitts

How To Make Delicious Air Fryer Beer Battered Fish

There is a large clear glass bowl with white flour in it. There is a clear glass measuring cup with a light bubbly liquid (beer) in it and a small white bowl with a slightly beaten raw egg in ti. Items are on a light gray surface.

Pour half of the flour, the slightly beaten egg, and the beer into a bowl.

There is a large clear glass bowl with a light yellow creamy liquid in it. Bowl is on a light gray surface.

Stir / whisk until completely blended.

There is a large clear glass bowl with white flour in it. In front of the bowl there are two wooden scoop like dishes. One of them has white powdered corn starch and the other has little mounds of dry seasonings in it. Items are on a light gray surface

In a large shallow bowl, add the remaining flour, cornstarch, and seasonings.

There is a large white shallow bowl with a dry mixture of flour and seasonings. Bowl is on a light gray surface.

Mix until fully incorporated.

There is a large white shallow bowl with pieces of raw white fish fillets. There is another large white shallow bowl with a dry flour and seasonings mixture in it. There is a large clear glass bowl with a light yellow creamy liquid in it. Bowls are on a light gray surface.

Working with one filet at a time, dip the pieces of fish into the beer batter.

Use kitchen tongs to transfer the fish fillets from the beer mixture to the dry ingredients. (see Success Tips)

Gently place the fish fillets into the flour mixture.

There is a large clear glass bowl with a light yellow creamy liquid in it. There is a piece of white raw fish in the liquid. There is a large white shallow bowl with a white flour and seasoning mixture in it. There is a piece of white raw fish in the mixture. There is a pair of kitchen tongs resting in the bowl. In front of the bowls there is a rectangular wire basket resting on white paper towels. There are two pieces of flour coated fish in the basket. Items are on a light gray surface.

Cover the fish fillets with the flour mixture, pressing gently to help the mixture stick to the fish.

Place the coated fish fillets into the greased air fryer basket in a single layer and spray cooking oil over all the pieces of fish.

Place the basket in a preheated air fryer.

Air fry until crispy and golden brown. (see Success Tips)

Transfer the beer-battered fish onto a basket or board lined with parchment paper.

Serve with French fries, ketchup, lemon wedges, and your favorite side dish.

Please take a look at the Recipe Card below for complete measurements and cooking time.

Success Tips

Cooking times may vary due to the thickness of the fish filet. An internal temperature of 145 degrees F is a safe temperature. At this temperature, its flesh will be opaque white and flake easily when pressed with a fork.

For best results allow as much excess wet batter to drain off the fish pieces before dipping them into the flour mixture. If you have too much wet batter on the fish, the flour mixture will not stick resulting in a soggy outer crust.

Patting dry the fish before coating will help ensure it has the right flaky texture when it cooks.

When placing the filets in the air fryer basket, be sure to place them in a single layer. Overlapping the fish may cause the fish not to cook properly.

Be sure to generously spray the top of the fish with cooking oil just before placing them into the air fryer. This will help make them extra golden brown and crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of fish is best to use for beer-battered fish?

For this beer-battered fish recipe, you’ll want to use a mild flaky white fish which holds their shape well. Cod, Haddock, Tilapia, and Pollack are all great to use.

What kind of beer can I use to make beer-battered fish?

Use your favorite light beer to make this battered fish recipe.

Some recipes call for dark beer. I prefer to use a light beer since the fish is very mild. If you like the stronger dark beers, go ahead and pour some in!

Do you have to pre-heat an air fryer?

It is not always necessary to pre-heat an air fryer however for optimal crispiness, go ahead and pre-heat your air fryer.

Can you use frozen fish for a beer-battered fish recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen fish filets for a beer-battered fish recipe.

The best way to use frozen fish is to allow it to completely thaw and pat dry with paper towels.

What can I serve with air fryer beer-battered fish?

Some great side dishes that go well with battered fish are:

Roasted Brussels sprouts

Yield: 6 servings

Delicious Air Fryer Beer Battered Fish Recipe

If you love the crunch of crispy beer-battered fish but want to skip the deep frying cooking process, you're in for a treat!

This delicious beer-battered fish recipe is made with mild white fish, coated in a flavorful beer batter, and cooked in an air fryer until golden brown.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 22 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound fish fillets
3/4 cup light beer
1.5 cups all-purpose flour - divided
1 large egg - slightly beaten
1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Cooking spray - canola oil or olive oil spray
Serve with ketchup, malt vinegar, lemon wedge, or tangy tartar sauce.

Instructions

Rinse and pat dry the fish filets with paper towels.
In a large bowl add half of the flour (3/4 cup), the slightly beaten egg, and the beer. Stir until well combined.
Add the remaining flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a large shallow bowl.
Mix until fully incorporated.
Preheat the air fryer to 375° F.
Working with one fillet at a time, dip the pieces of fish into the beer batter.
Use kitchen tongs to carefully remove the fish fillets from the beer mixture letting the excess batter drain back into the bowl.
Gently place the fish fillets into the flour mixture.
Use a large spoon and cover the fish fillets with the flour mixture, pressing gently to help the mixture stick to the fish.
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Place the coated fish fillets into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Generously spray cooking oil over all the pieces of fish.
Air fry for 12 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. Thicker fillets may need an extra couple of minutes.
Transfer the beer-battered fish onto a basket, plate, or board lined with parchment paper. Serve with French fries, ketchup, lemon wedges, and your favorite side dish.

Notes

Helpful Tools And Equipment

2 large bowls
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Small bowl
Kitchen tongs
Large spoon
Paper towels
Oven mitts

Success Tips

Cooking times may vary due to the thickness of the fish filet. an internal temperature of 145 degrees F is a safe temperature. At this temperature, its flesh will be opaque white and flake easily when pressed with a fork.

For best results allow as much excess wet batter to drain off the fish pieces before dipping them into the flour mixture. If you have too much wet batter on the fish, the flour mixture will not stick resulting in a soggy outer crust.

Patting dry the fish before coating will help ensure it has the right flaky texture when it cooks.

When placing the filets in the air fryer basket, be sure to place them in a single layer. Overlapping the fish may cause the fish not to cook properly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 301Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 337mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 23g