Crispy Gluten-Free Fried Fish Recipe

This gluten-free fried fish has everything you want in a classic chippy-style meal, a golden, shatteringly crisp outer crust and tender, flaky fish on the inside. By using a few simple pantry staples and the right frying technique, you can get that perfect pub-style crunch at home, without the gluten.

The Secret to Extra Crispy Gluten-Free Batter

Getting a gluten-free batter to stay light and crisp instead of heavy and oily comes down to two key ingredients:

• Rice Flour: Dredging the fish in pure rice flour before dipping it into the batter gives the wet mixture something to cling to and creates an extra barrier against moisture.

• Carbonation: Using ice-cold sparkling water or your favorite gluten-free beer is essential. The bubbles expand instantly when hitting the hot oil, creating a light, airy, and airy crust.

How to Fry Fish Perfectly Every Time

Frying fish at home isn’t difficult, but it does require a specific order to make sure the batter stays light and doesn’t turn soggy.

The Best Fish Varieties for Frying

For a classic, flaky texture that holds up well to a wet batter, stick to firm white fish:

• Cod or Haddock: The traditional pub standard. They have a mild flavor and large, clean flakes that stay incredibly juicy under a hot crust.

• Pollock: A fantastic, budget-friendly alternative that behaves almost exactly like cod in the frying pan.

• Halibut: A premium choice with a firmer, slightly meatier texture. It yields beautiful, succulent results if you want to elevate the dish.

What to Serve with Fried Fish

To turn this into a classic pub-style meal, keep the sides simple and use bright, contrasting textures to balance out the richness of the hot fish. You can never go wrong with crispy potatoes, whether you choose standard french fries or our popular Smashed Crispy Potatoes with Garlic Herb Butter.

A cool, Creamy coleslaw is another essential pairing, adding a refreshing crunch and a hint of acidity that cuts through the rich flavor beautifully. If you want to add some greens to the plate, a side of warm Hearty Cabbage with Collard Greens  balances the whole meal perfectly

Follow Our Recipe And You Will Have Best Crispy Fried Fish

Gluten-free crispy fried fish is not only achievable but also deliciously satisfying. By following our simple tips for preparing the batter and fish, then frying it at the right temperature, you are sure to succeed in making deliciously crispy fried fish without gluten. Enjoy!

This recipe is part of our most-loved gluten-free collection. Explore the gluten-free recipes readers can’t get enough of.

Pro-Tips for Frying Success

• Choose the Right Oil: Always use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like avocado oil, canola, or peanut oil. If you choose olive oil which is what I use, Regular olive oil or light/refined olive oil works better because it has a higher smoke point.

• Don’t Let the Fish Sit in Batter: Only dip your fish into the wet batter immediately before dropping it into the hot oil. If you let battered fish sit on a cutting board, the moisture from the fish will soak through, making the coating heavy and gummy.

• The Best Way to Reheat: If you happen to have leftovers, never use a microwave—it will turn the batter soggy. Instead, place the cold fish on a wire rack over a baking sheet and pop it into a 400°F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes until it crisps back up.

Hi, I’m Kristina I’m a professional gluten-free recipe developer, and every recipe on this site is created and personally tested in my kitchen. If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐ star rating and a quick review below, it helps other readers find my recipes!

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