Long John Silver’s Batter

The batter used by Long John Silver’s for their famous fried fish and seafood is crispy, golden, and light with a subtle flavor that allows the fish to shine through. It’s the perfect balance of crunchy and airy. If you want to recreate their style of batter at home, here’s a recipe that mimics the flavor and texture of Long John Silver’s batter.

Long John Silver’s Style Batter Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional, for added flavor)
• 1/2 tsp paprika (optional, for color)
• 1 cup cold club soda (or sparkling water for a lighter batter)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or melted butter, optional for extra flavor)

Instructions:

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, garlic powder (optional), and paprika (optional). The cornstarch helps make the batter extra crispy, and the baking powder gives it a light, airy texture.
2. Add the Liquid: Slowly add the cold club soda to the dry ingredients while stirring. The cold soda helps create a lighter, crispier batter. If you want extra flavor, you can add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or melted butter at this point. Mix until the batter is smooth but still slightly thick.
3. Let It Rest: Let the batter sit for about 5 minutes. This helps the ingredients combine and makes the texture even better for frying.
4. Heat the Oil: While the batter rests, heat oil in a deep fryer or large skillet to about 350°F (175°C). Use enough oil to submerge the pieces of fish or seafood.
5. Coat the Fish or Seafood: Pat your fish fillets (like cod, haddock, or pollock) or seafood dry with paper towels. Dip them into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off before frying.
6. Fry: Carefully drop the battered fish or seafood into the hot oil. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning the fish or seafood halfway through for even cooking.
7. Drain and Serve: Once fried, remove the fish or seafood from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve immediately with your favorite sides like fries, cole slaw, and tarter sauce.

Tips:

• Cold club soda or sparkling water is the key to a light and crispy texture. The bubbles in the soda create air pockets in the batter, making it extra crunchy.
• Cornstarch helps crisp up the batter and gives it a texture similar to what you’d get at a fast food restaurant like Long John Silver’s.
• If you want a thicker batter, add a bit more flour or cornstarch; for a thinner batter, reduce the amount of flour.

This recipe will give you a crispy, golden batter that’s similar to Long John Silver’s, perfect for fish, shrimp, or even chicken. Enjoy your homemade fried seafood feast!