Long John Silver’s has been serving up delicious crispy battered fish since 1969. With nearly 1,000 locations across the country, they have perfected the art of light and crispy fish fry batter. What makes it so good? It turns out the secret ingredient is club soda!
The carbonation gives the batter extra lift, so it fries up incredibly crispy and golden brown. Paired with the right seasonings and technique, you can now enjoy that same satisfying crunch at home with this copycat recipe.
What Gives This Batter That Signature Crispiness?
The key ingredients providing that ultra-crispy texture are:
Club Soda – carbonation helps batter rise
Baking Powder – creates air pockets for crispier results
Corn Starch – crisps up nicely when fried
When you dip your fish fillets into this mixture then fry at the perfect temperature, you get a super airy and crunchy coating. It comes out just like the Long John Silver’s you know and love!
Why This Recipe Beats All Other Copycats
There are quite a few recipes out there aiming to replicate the chain’s signature batter. However, many fall short when it comes to nailing the flavor and texture.
This tried and true recipe sticks close to the real deal:
✅ Uses the same key ingredients – club soda, baking powder
✅ Seasoned perfectly with just a hint of sweetness
✅ Gets ulta-crispy from frying method
Once you try it, you’ll never go back to your old batter recipe!
Gather These Ingredients For Batter Bliss
Putting together this five-star batter is simple with common pantry staples:
Flour
Corn Starch
Baking Powder & Soda
Spices like Paprika, Pepper
Sugar and Salt
Onion Salt
Club Soda
For the fish, mild white varieties work best. Cod, tilapia, swai, haddock, and catfish are perfect picks.
Fry Up Deliciousness in Three Easy Steps
Recreating that signature crunch is almost foolproof:
Whisk dry ingredients into a large bowl
Slowly incorporate club soda while stirring
Dip fish pieces one by one into batter then fry at 350°F for 2-3 minutes
Once everything is cooked golden brown, drain on paper towel lined racks. Enjoy immediately while hot and crispy!
One Batter, Endless Possibilities
Once you try this Long John Silver’s copycat batter, don’t stop at fish! Use it to fry up onion rings, zucchini sticks, mushrooms and more for a crunchy twist. Dip chicken tenders or shrimp too for some delicious variety.
Get creative with this versatile batter. Make extra to have on hand for anytime cravings.
Keep That Crispiness Going
Fried foods are best enjoyed fresh and hot. But leftovers can still be pretty great with proper storage:
Let oil drain off completely before storing
Wrap cooked pieces in paper towels
Store in airtight container for up to 2 days
Reheat in oven or air fryer
Now you can enjoy the taste of Long John Silver’s signature batter from home. This easy recipe lets you skip the drive-thru and make everyone’s fish fry favorites whenever the craving strikes. Dip, fry and enjoy!
Long John Silver’s Batter Recipe
Ingredients:
8 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
16 ounces club soda
2 pounds cod or white fish, cut into 3-ounce pieces
Cooking Instructions:
Preheat Oil: Heat 8 cups of vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or a heavy pot.
Prepare Dry Mixture: In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, onion salt, paprika, and black pepper.
Make Batter: Gradually add the club soda to the dry mixture, stirring continuously until the batter becomes foamy.
Coat Fish: Dip each piece of fish into the batter, ensuring an even coating.
Fry Fish: Carefully lower the coated fish into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes until the batter is golden and the fish floats to the top.
Drain: Remove the fish and drain on a wire rack.
Expert Cooking Tips:
To prevent the batter from sticking, briefly hold the fish in the oil to form a crust before releasing it fully into the fryer.
For a flavor variation, substitute club soda with beer.
Use any leftover batter to make crispy onion rings!
Enjoy your homemade Long John Silver’s style fish!