Delicious Air Fryer Beer Battered Fish Recipe

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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!

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.

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: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Prep Level: Beginner +

Recipe Info

Crispy & Tender – Air frying locks in moisture while creating a light crunchy outside crust with moist tender fish inside.
Fast & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep.
Beer Batter Flavor – Malty beer adds a rich taste.
Healthier Option – Only cooking spray oil is used.
Versatile – The perfect fillet for a fish sandwich, fish and chips, or crispy fish tacos.

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.

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

Step-by-Step Instructions

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

See 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.
Drain Excess Batter – 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.
Pat Fish Dry – Patting dry the fish before coating will help ensure it has the right flaky texture when it cooks.
Single Layer – 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.
Cooking Oil Spray – 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.

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

What to Serve with Air Fryer Beer-Battered Fish

Great side dishes that go well with battered fish:

Potato Wedges
Coleslaw by Salt and Lavender
Potato Salad
Macaroni Salad
Steamed Broccoli
Scalloped Corn Casserole
Pan Fried Gnocchi with Brussels Sprouts
Condiments: Ketchup, malt vinegar, lemon wedge, and tangy tartar sauce.

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.

Yield: 4 servings