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I’m loving this quick and easy version of a classic recipe! This Air Fried Beer Battered Fish and Chips is made with fresh cod, an assortment of seasonings and a batter made with Michelob ULTRA. Air Frying breaded fish lets you enjoy this pub style favorite with a lot less, oil, fat and guilt!
I can’t believe I’ve had my Air Fryer for about 3 years and it has just now occurred to me to cook Beer Battered Fish and Chips in it! In the past couple years, I’ve been cooking just about everything in my Air Fryer, from an assortment of vegetables to even Asian Cuisines like Orange Chicken and General Tso’s Chicken. And my Air Fryer is awesome because it can take some healthier things (like vegetables) and make them super tasty. It can also take some “not-so-healthy” things and cut out on some of the bad stuff (General Tso’s Chicken!).
Today, we are making Air Fryer Beer Battered Fish and Chips. This classic pub staple has been around forever. It’s a pretty simple recipe. You take a mild white fish (usually cod), dip it in batter and then fry it in a vat of hot oil. Just serve it with some chips (french fries), a lemon wedge, vinegar and some tartar sauce and you’ve got yourself one heck of a meal. Plus, it’s a healthier version of a meal we love to enjoy while cheering on our favorite team.
Air Fryer Beer Battered Fish and Chips
While I’ve always loved fish and chips, I’ve definitely had some versions of this dish that are just DRIPPING in oil. By the time I was done eating them, I could barely get out of my seat! So, this is why I’m amazed it has taken me this long to make an Air Fryer version of Fish and Chips!
This version of fish and chips has a fraction of the oil you would usually be ingesting. And, to make things even more awesome, I’ve found the perfect beer to use in my batter – Michelob ULTRA! This is a perfect ingredient because Michelob ULTRA is the Superior Light Beer with 2.6 carbs and 95 calories per bottle.
I love drinking beer, but I also love to stay active and healthy. So, just like this for Fish and Chips, I’m looking for a balance between having fun and staying healthy. Michelob ULTRA and also Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold are an awesome way to wind down and cool off at the end of the day and enjoy fun times with friends and family! It’s the perfect beer for an active lifestyle, both focused on fun and focused on health in equal measures! I got all my fresh ingredients for this dish at my local Kroger, and you can find Michelob ULTRA at your local supermarket and many other locations! Click here for possible savings in your area.
Fish and Chips Recipe
So, are you ready to make some Beer Battered Fish and Chips? Take a look at the recipe card below for step by step instructions. Here are the ingredients that you will need to get started:
- 1 1/2 lbs Cod
- 6 oz Michelob ULTRA
- 2 Cups Flour
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp Paprika
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Salt
- 1/4 tsp Onion Salt
Notes, Tips and Variations
- PREHEAT- Make Sure you preheat your Air Fryer, this is very important.
- DIPPING INTO THE BEER BATTER- I found that the best way to dip the cod fillets into the beer batter and then the flour is to use a fork, not your fingers. It gets way too messy. I learned this the hard way.
- ADD SOME HEAT?- Add 1/4 tsp of Cayenne Pepper (or more?) to your flour mixture to add a little heat as desired.
- CAN YOU DRINK SOME OF THE BEER WHILE I’M COOKING?- How dare you even ask?!?! Of course you can! Michelob ULTRA or Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold are perfect beers to drink while cooking in the kitchen!
I hope you enjoy this recipe for Air Fryer Beer Battered Fish and Chips! It’s all that “pub style” taste, but made with Michelob ULTRA in your Air Fryer, it is much lighter! Now you can enjoy Fish and Chips without having to take a nap afterwards!

Air Fried Beer Battered Fish and Chips
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs Cod
- 6 oz Michelob ULTRA
- 2 Cups Flour
- 2 tbsp Corn Starch
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp Paprika
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Salt
- 1/4 tsp Onion Salt
Instructions
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Preheat Air Fryer to 390 Degrees
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Cut Cod into fillets, about 3-4 inches long each.
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Mix together 1 cup of flour, corn starch, baking soda, egg and beer in a medium size bowl.
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Mix together the rest of the flour and the paprika, onion powder and garlic powder in another bowl.
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Dip the cod fillets into the beer batter, then into the flour.
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Cook in preheated AIr Fryer at 390 degrees for 12-14 minutes, or until the outside is nice and golden. Serve immediately.
I tried this recipe today 1-20-2021 I followed it exactly the fish flaked well and tasted great but the the batter came off really easy. I would like some questions answered if possible. The batter was very thick is this normal? After the fish is battered and then placed into the flower mixture do you need to spray it with some type of oil? Do you turn the fish over after half the cooking time? If so how do you get it not to stick? The fish I did the batter seeped through the holes in the basket and it was impossible to turn without tearing the batter off the bottom side of the fish. Do you put parchment paper or something like that on the basket to keep the batter from seeping through? I would like to do this again if I can get better instructions. Thank you so much for a great recipe.
All great questions. I’m not sure how “thick” your batter was. It’s sort of all relative. If it seemed to thick for you, you could back off on the flour a bit.
I do often spray my food with cooking spray before cooking in the air fryer. There are those that say cooking sprays can harm your air fryer, so that is your call.
I did not need to turn my fish halfway through cooking time. Also, one way to keep your batter from seeping through the holes is to use some parchment paper with small holes punctured into it. There are also products you can buy that are designed for this same thing.
Hi is it possible to make this same recipe in the oven? Also can I replace the beer with soda water? Thanks in advance
Yes. You can make it in the oven. I’d bake it at a pretty high temp, like 450. And I’d possible finish it on broil for the last minute or two to get the batter extra crispy. I’m not sure about soda water. I believe you can sub with chicken broth, ginger ale or grape juice though.
Yes you can substitute club soda for beer. But don’t use chicken broth or grape juice, or ginger ale for that matter. The fizziness gives the batter it’s light and crispy characteristic, which you will not get with a non carbonated drink, and ginger ale will be too sweet.
I have made this recipe twice now, and we absolutely love it! The fish is flaky, moist and simply perfect. I follow directions exactly, as for recipe, I use garlic salt instead of powder and ancho chili powder instead of cayenne. I add lemon pepper to dry mix. The family love it! 😍 Thank you!!
Has anyone tried this with almond flour and tapioca starch instead of flour and corn starch?
Looks good. I want to try this but am wondering if you use garlic/onion powder or salt. The list of ingredient and the steps list different items.
I tried It with almond milk and white wine delicious
I am agreeing with S. Lloyd about the batter seeping through the holes in my air fryer basket. The fish and batter were delicious, but I couldn’t get the fish off the basket without destroying it. I also wasn’t too thrilled with the dry flour on the outside of the batter. I’m definitely going to try this recipe again though, and try using the parchment paper to see if that helps. I know there’s some sort of spray oil so I’m also going to try just a bit of that to moisten up the dry flour on the outside of the batter just a bit.
Really liked this recipe BUT you have have to get better beer. If you are worried about the calories stick with Michelob beer but it is common knowledge among beer aficionados that English beer and even Canadian beer kicks American beer to the curb! If you are American all the way you can probably find an American craft beer that would fill the bill and for added benefit you will get good flavour!
I’ve always been told that when you use a wet batter, you should freeze it before putting it in an air fryer. Any thoughts on this?