Crispy and crunchy this Copycat Capitan D’s Crunchy Battered Fish Recipe will be your new go-to fish obsession. Super delicious, flaky, and out of this world!
I’m in love with Captain’ D’s Battered Fish. It’s one of my biggest guilty pleasures, a huge pile of fried fish from Captain D’s! Ugh, it is just so glorious!
Crispy battered flaky white fish that is moist inside, I don’t know if it can get much better than this! Now, with today’s copycat recipe you can make one of my biggest guilty pleasures right in your own kitchen!
Living on the coast, you know that I’m a huge fish lover, but sometimes there are some pleasures that don’t quite come from that fresh-caught goodness we are used to.
This Crunchy Battered Fish Recipe is one of my favorites to make at home, and we make it more often than not. It literally is our go-to battered fish recipe.
Everything with this recipe just works so well together that you just can’t stop eating it! I’m one of those people where I have to have each bite perfectly put together.
A squeeze of lemon, dip in cocktail sauce and I’m in crunchy heaven! Trust me when I say that you will be too once you try this awesome recipe.
Some of our other favorite fish recipes we have on our site include: Beer Battered Fish (with pancake mix), Easy Chimichurri Fish Tacos and Teriyaki Salmon.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Super common ingredients are used in this recipe!
- Cod is the fish of choice, it is available everywhere.
- This has just the perfect amount of crunch that will satisfy each and every bite.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (FULL RECIPE BELOW):
Cod fillets
Paprika
Garlic powder
Kosher salt
Black pepper
All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Baking soda
Ice cold water
Peanut oil for frying
HOW TO MAKE CAPTAIN D’S CRUNCHY BATTERED FISH RECIPE:
- Cut fish in 1 1/2 inch strips. Place the cut fish in a plastic bag and season with 1 teaspoon of the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Close the bag and toss the fish until coated. Add in 2 tablespoons of flour and toss again.
- Make the batter by placing the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1/2 tsp paprika, salt, and pepper into a large bowl and stir it together. Whisk in the water until it forms a batter similar to the consistency of pancake batter. If you need a little more water to get the right consistency, do so now.
- Heat the oil in a heavy bottom skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350°F, you can also use an electric deep fryer as well.
- Place the fish in the batter, mix to combine with hands until all pieces are coated while the oil is heating.
- When the oil is hot, add the fish piece by piece into the hot oil. Do not crowd the pan, you will have to do this in batches. Flipping halfway through the cooking process takes about 8-10 minutes total.
- When the fish has an internal temperature of 165°F and is golden brown, take out of the oil using tongs and place them on a wire rack over a sheet tray. Sprinkle with more kosher salt immediately out of the oil so it will stick to the fish.
- Keep cooking until all the fish is done. Serve with your favorite condiments like cocktail sauce or tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
WHAT KIND OF OIL IS BEST FOR FRYING FISH?
While we always love to use peanut oil as we feel it gives the best flavor you can also use, shortening, canola oil, and vegetable oil as well.
Whatever you choose will work. Peanut oil is more expensive but it really does in my opinion give the best flavor overall.
WHY IS MY FISH NOT CRISPY?
The two main reasons for this is the batter and the oil. You don’t want a thick batter so if it is thick, you might want to try thinning it out slightly with some more water.
Also, you want to get your oil preheated correctly. Do not fry your fish until the oil has come to temperature, it will either burn the outside or the fish will cook too slowly on the inside.
HOW TO STORE THIS CRUNCHY BATTERED FISH RECIPE:
This Crunchy Battered Fish Recipe can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. That is the maximum for this recipe.
You can reheat in the oven on a low setting until heated through so you don’t lose any crispiness and it will add a little crispiness to it. Sitting in the refrigerator will make it turn a little soggy over time.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Cod is our favorite choice of fish for this recipe but any other white flaky fish will works.
- Make sure you use ice-cold water in the batter.
- You do not want to overcrowd your frying pan, otherwise, the fish will not cook evenly.
- This is great served with all of your favorite dipping sauces.
- Having a fish fry? This can easily be doubled or tripled to serve more people.
If you love a good copycat recipe like I do and adore fish then you have to try my Captain D’s Crunchy Battered Fish Recipe!
If you like this Crunchy Battered Fish Recipe you might also like:
- Lobster Rolls
- Homemade French Fries (great for a side)
- Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
If you’ve tried this CRUNCHY BATTERED FISH RECIPE let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Copycat Captain D’s Crunchy Battered Fish Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Cod fillets or any white flaky fish fresh is best!
- 1 1/2 teaspoon paprika divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For the batter:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup ice cold water plus more if needed
- Peanut oil for frying
Instructions
- Cut fish in 1 1/2 inch strips. Place the cut fish in a plastic bag and season with 1 teaspoon of the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Close the bag and toss the fish until coated. Add in 2 tablespoons of flour and toss again.
- Make the batter by placing the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1/2 tsp paprika, salt, and pepper into a large bowl and stir it together. Whisk in the water until it forms a batter similar to the consistency of pancake batter. If you need a little more water to get the right consistency, do so now.
- Heat the oil in a heavy bottom skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350°F, you can also use an electric deep fryer as well.
- Place the fish in the batter, mix to combine with hands until all pieces are coated while the oil is heating.
- When the oil is hot, add the fish piece by piece into the hot oil. Do not crowd the pan, you will have to do this in batches. Flipping halfway through the cooking process takes about 8-10 minutes total.
- When the fish has an internal temperature of 165°F and is golden brown, take out of the oil using tongs and place them on a wire rack over a sheet tray. Sprinkle with more kosher salt immediately out of the oil so it will stick to the fish.
- Keep cooking until all the fish is done. Serve with your favorite condiments like cocktail sauce or tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
Nutrition
Comments & Reviews
Adrienne says
Stopping from SITS! This fish looks yummy! So summer-y. I can’t wait for summer!
Christina Walters says
Thanks for sharing. I LOVE Captain D’s Fish. Definitely going on the to make list!
Desiree M. says
I wish I could try making this for my husband but I have a tendency of setting my stove on fire whenever I fry *anything.* This looks delicious though!
Danita @O Taste And See says
I LOVE Captain D’s! I haven’t been there in years and I’m not even sure we have any around here. My grandparents used to take me there. Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories! Pinning for later.
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
Looking forward to a good fish fry now! We don’t have a Captain D’s but this looks great!
Rachel Kathyg @ onlinesisterhood says
This looks really crisp and dee-licious! Tring it soon. found you at cast party wed. added to stumbleUpon.
Kristina & Millie says
Where do you find these recipes? You always hit my favs!!
Dana DeVolk says
The recipe just fell out of my head, LOL
Cindy @ Hun... What's for Dinner? says
Oh gosh does this fish ever look good! My daughter would love it. I’d like to invite you to link up to Simple Supper Tuesday.
http://www.hunwhatsfordinner.com/2014/03/simple-supper-tuesday-56.html
Patti says
We used to eat at Capt. D’s until they closed. Gonna have to make these!
Sherri says
This looks amazing!! I am adding this to my menu for next week!! Thanks for sharing at The Mommy Club Link Party!
Made From Pinterest says
THis looks so yummy! I love me some yummy fish!
kelley says
I need to make some fish tacos after reading this!! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Stephanie says
I found you on the chicken chick blog hop and I can’t wait to try the Captian D’s crunchy fish!
Debra @ Worth Cooking says
Oh I miss fried fish like this! This looks so good. I will have to see if I can convert it to GF as my daughter is allergic 😀
Jess says
This looks delicious! Yummy!
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
Christina @ Juggling Real Food and Real Life says
Hi Dana! I’m hopping over from Let’s Get Real today. This fish recipe really does look delicious. I really crave fish this time every year…….perhaps it has something to do with Lent? My dad makes great fried fish. I need to try your recipe and see if I can impress him with my fish.
Kristina & Millie says
lol did it hurt or feel better afterwards? 🙂
Crystal @ Sew Creative says
You inspire me! Thank you so much for visiting Wonderfully Creative Wednesday last week Dana! I picked your recipe as one of my favorite links from last week. You can see it here:
http://www.sewcreativeblog.com/wonderfully-creative-wednesdays-food-craft-link-party-week-14/
Best Wishes,
Crystal
danielle says
My kids love fish sticks – I need to make this for them. Thanks so much for linking this up to the Friday Frenzy!