Name: Beer Batter
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 egg, beaten; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon seasoning salt; 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1.5 cups beer, or more to taste

Prep Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

5 mins

Servings:

6

Yield:

1 2/3 cups of batter

Jump to Nutrition Facts

This beer batter recipe is the key to fried white fish that’s crispy and golden on the outside, but tender on the inside. You can also use it to perfectly fry veggies, shrimp, and so much more!

How to Make Beer Batter

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the beer batter recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

What Is Beer Batter?

Beer batter is a batter for deep frying that is made by adding beer to a mixture of seasoned flour and (sometimes) eggs. The beer adds flavor, helps ensure a beautiful brown color, and the carbonation creates a crispy crust.

Beer Batter Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this basic beer batter recipe:

Flour: This homemade beer batter starts with all-purpose flour.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch ensures an extra crispy, light fry every time.
Egg: An egg creates a more delicate crust and helps seal in moisture.
Seasonings: Season the beer batter with garlic powder, black pepper, and seasoning salt.
Beer: Of course, you’ll need beer! A light beer will give you a milder flavor, while a dark beer will have a richer taste. A higher carbonation level will result in an airier result.

How to Make Homemade Beer Batter

It couldn't be easier to make beer batter at home: Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl, then whisk in the beer. If it’s too thick, thin the batter with more beer. Find the full, step-by-step recipe below for detailed instructions.

Test Kitchen Tips

This top-rated user recipe was tested in our test kitchen. Here are some tips from recipe tester Amanda Stanfield:

Use ice-cold beer and eggs to ensure the batter crisps up nicely when fried.
Organize your frying setup before frying so you can work quickly when coating items in the batter and frying. Use a spider or slotted spoon to remove items from the oil versus tongs.
Serve beer-battered items with french fries, fresh mixed green salad, or in a sandwich.
Use different mixtures of spices to create various flavor profiles, like curry powder or blackening seasoning.

What to Do With Beer Batter

Use this beer batter recipe to make restaurant-worthy fried foods at home. Wondering what you can fry to crispy perfection? Here are a few ideas:

White fish (such as cod or haddock)
Shrimp
Pickles
Onion rings
Chicken
Cheese curds
Vegetables (such as cauliflower or mushrooms)

Cook’s Note

Once you make your beer batter, the clock starts ticking. Many recipes say you can hold the batter in the fridge for up to 2 hours, but in my personal experience, I have never found that to be the case. You can hold it in the fridge while your oil heats up at the most.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

This is a great and simple recipe,” raves Buddy Irwin. “It's easy to put together and forgiving in the ingredient amounts. If it gets too thick, add more beer. Too thin? Add more flour.

“I added a teaspoon of salt per cup of flour,” according to Mama Vicki. “Tripling this recipe coated a 5-pound box of fish. This will definitely be my go-to beer batter recipe.”

“Will definitely make it again,” says Jad121261. “Batter clung to zucchini perfectly. Can't wait to try it on other foods!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 large egg, chilled and beaten
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup cold light beer

Directions

Combine flour, cornstarch, egg, garlic powder, seasoning salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk in beer until smooth and thick, similar to pancake batter.

From the Editor

This recipe was tested in our test kitchen in November 2023 and updated to include cornstarch and seasoning salt.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

131	Calories
1g	Fat
24g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 131
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1g	1%
Saturated Fat 0g	2%
Cholesterol 31mg	10%
Sodium 268mg	12%
Total Carbohydrate 24g	9%
Dietary Fiber 1g	3%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 4g	8%
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 14mg	1%
Iron 2mg	8%
Potassium 59mg	1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Beer Batter