Crispy Fried Fish Fillets

 Crispy Fried Fish Fillets

Ingredients:

– 1 pound fish fillets (such as cod, haddock, or tilapia)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup cornstarch
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
– 1/2 teaspoon paprika
– 1 cup cold sparkling water (or cold beer for beer batter)
– Vegetable oil for frying

 Instructions:

1. **Prepare the Fish:**
– Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels.
– Season both sides with salt and pepper.

2. **Make the Batter:**
– In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
– Gradually add the cold sparkling water (or beer) to the dry ingredients, whisking until smooth. The batter should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

3. **Heat the Oil:**
– Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep fryer or a large heavy-bottomed pot to submerge the fish fillets.
– Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C).

4. **Fry the Fish:**
– Dip each fish fillet into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off.
– Carefully lower the battered fish into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding.
– Fry the fillets for 4-6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, turning once halfway through.
– Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried fish to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

5. **Serve:**
– Serve the crispy fried fish fillets hot with your favorite dipping sauces, lemon wedges, and sides like coleslaw or French fries.

Enjoy your homemade crispy fried fish fillets!