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Copycat Long John Silvers Batter: 5-Step Easy Fish Dip

copycat Long John Silvers batter - featured image

Recreate the nostalgic, golden, and airy crunch of Long John Silver’s fish sticks at home with this simple, 5-step batter recipe using common pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (120g) All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1 large Egg Yolk
  • ¾ cup (180ml) Whole Milk
  • 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) Fish Fillets (Cod, Haddock, or Tilapia)
  • Peanut or Canola Oil (for frying)

Instructions

  1. Pat fish fillets completely dry with paper towels and cut into strips if necessary. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until no clumps remain.
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg yolk, milk, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil until combined.
  4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
  5. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
  6. Dip fish pieces into the batter, allowing excess to drip off, and carefully place into the hot oil. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding.
  7. Fry for 3-4 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and crisp. Ensure internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
  8. Remove fish with tongs and place on a wire rack to drain. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and serve immediately.

Notes

Ensure fish is patted very dry before dipping to prevent batter from sliding off. Do not overcrowd the pot to maintain oil temperature. For extra crispiness, drain on a wire rack rather than paper towels. Can be baked at 400°F for 12-15 minutes for a healthier option, though less crispy.

Nutrition

Keywords: Long John Silver's copycat, fried fish batter, fish sticks recipe, easy fish dinner, homemade fish batter, crispy fried fish