How to Make Beer Batter

Love the taste of beer? Use it for more than drinking by incorporating it into a light, flavorsome coating for fish, chicken, shrimp or vegetables. This guide will show you how to blend a crust to complement the foods beneath it.
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Beer Batter Tips
1. Use your favorite light, regular or dark beer to create the batter.
2. Use a whisk to combine the beer with flour, pepper and paprika.
3. Continue to beat the mixture until it's smooth.
4. Use the batter immediately or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Introduction
- If you plan to make some fried fish or a batch of crispy onion rings, give your food some added flavor by coating it with a tangy beer batter. As simple to make as stirring your favorite brew together with flour and a few spices, the mixture will create a golden crust with a satisfying crunch.
What You'll Need
- In addition to a bottle of your favorite beer, you'll need a few basic ingredients and kitchen tools to whip up a batch of the batter. This recipe will make enough batter to coat 1¹/₂ to two pounds of fish or assorted vegetables such as mushrooms, onions and zucchini.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces beer
- 1 ¹/₂ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¹/₈ teaspoon pepper
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- WhiskAble Kitchen: Whisks and Whips
Making Beer Batter
- Create beer batter with the correct consistency and texture by following these simple steps.
1. Add the flour, pepper and paprika to a large bowl.Fish Ex: Beer Batter
2. Gradually stir the beer in with a whisk.Epicurious: Beer-Battered Fish
  - -Add more beer if you prefer a thinner batter.All Recipes: Beer Batter
3. Beat the batter until it's smooth.Great Alaska Seafood: Beer Batter Recipe
4. You can store the batter in the refrigerator for up to one week as long as you mix it occasionally.Fish Ex: Beer Batter
  - YouTube Video: Beer Battered Fish (Time: 2:13)
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Coating and Frying Tips
- Use these suggestions to simplify the coating and frying process and achieve the perfect crust. Although most items can be fried in oil at about 365 degrees until golden brown, specific times will vary depending on the type of meat or vegetable you've coated and the type of fryer you're using.All Recipes: Deep Frying
Coating
1. For a crispier crust and to help the batter adhere properly, dredge the item in plain flour before dipping into the beer batter.Los Angeles Times: Come Fry with Me (December 7, 2005)
2. Set up a "dredging station" with bowls of flour and beer batter on wax paper to simplify clean up.All Recipes: Perfect Fried Chicken
Frying
1. Consider frying with an oil that won't break down at high temperatures. Try canola, peanut or sunflower oil.About.com: Deep Fat Frying Tips
2. Keep the coating crispy by using a new batch of cooking oil once the oil becomes dark or thick, starts smoking excessively or gives the food an odd flavor.American Heart Association: Deep-Frying Tips
3. Fry the items a few pieces at a time to prevent the oil's temperature from dropping.Food and Wine: Beer Battered Cod
  - -After each batch fries, drain it on paper towels.Martha Stewart: Beer Battered Onion Rings
  - -Transfer each batch to a cookie sheet in a 200-degree oven to keep it warm while the other batches fry.Martha Stewart: Beer Battered Onion Rings
Variations
- Once you've mastered the basic recipe, experiment with new combinations to create beer batter to accompany a variety of different side dishes.
1. Buttermilk will give the coating a nice tang.Martha Stewart: Beer Battered Onion Rings
2. The addition of dill weed makes a nice complement for fish.All Recipes: Beer Batter Fish Fillets
3. Stir in some coconut for a sweeter flavor and a bit of added crunch.Recipezaar: Coconut Beer Batter
4. Scallions and capers give the batter extra flavor and texture.Epicurious: Deep Fried Broccoli and Carrots in Scallion and Caper Beer Batter
5. Try using English beer for authentic tasting fish and chips.Recipezaar: English Beer Batter
6. Combine beer with pancake mix for a quick and easy beer batter.Recipezaar: Simple Beer Batter
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