The best fried fish recipe is melt-in-your-mouth delicious and has a light batter coating the flaky and moist fish. This is my husband’s secret recipe that he gets requests for over and over. You won’t believe how simple and delicious it is and will keep you coming back for more.

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This recipe for the best fried fish makes the most delicious fried fish I have ever put in my mouth! Since this is my husband Russ’ recipe you might think I’m biased, but friends, it is absolutely amazing!

He gets requests to share his secret all the time! When we have friends over for a dinner party, they request Russ’ fried fish. He is graciously letting me give away his secret recipe! His secret ingredient: Andy’s Fish Batter.

Russ is an avid hunter and fisherman, so when he makes his fried fish, it’s generally with fresh caught fish straight out of the lake. I think his fried fish is better when the fish are fresh, but in a pinch we will use frozen. We are also really fond of Costco’s farm raised catfish.

Sometimes he will take me fishing and he says, “Let’s catch our dinner.” After only a short time, he has generally caught many to my zero. Then he will laughingly say, “I caught mine, what are you going to have for dinner?!” Ohhh, he thinks he is so cute!

How to Make the Best Fried Fish

The fish Russ usually cooks is bass, catfish, or walleye, and we always fry it in canola oil. He cuts the fish filets into small chunks that are about three inches in length. One of his best tips for great tasting fish is to cut the dark vein out of the meat. The dark vein will give the fish a “fishy” taste.

The simple ingredient Russ uses for the batter is Andy’s fish batter—equal parts red and yellow. The fish chunks are tossed right into the dry Andy’s mix.

Pour the canola oil into a deep fryer, and heat to 300 degrees. Fry the pieces of fish for 7-8 minutes, or until they float. Once the pieces of fish float, cook for an additional two minutes, and drain on paper towels. It’s very important to keep the grease at 300 degrees throughout the cooking process so the fish will cook evenly.

where to find andy’s fish batter

Most grocery stores carry Andy’s Fish Batter, and it’s generally in the seafood section. Sometimes it’s located in the aisle with other dried batter mixes. Unfortunately, I’ve had a bit of a challenge finding the yellow and red mix lately. Don’t fret, Amazon to the rescue! If your local grocer doesn’t carry it, you can find Andy’s red fish batter and Andy’s yellow fish batter online. You will mix them, so you need both.

how to serve your fried fish

You can serve your fried fish with tartar sauce, ketchup, or even a squeeze of lemon, but we don’t add anything to ours. It’s delicious just like this!

One of our favorite side dishes to pair with this delicious fish is my grandma’s Marinated Potato Salad, which is made ahead of time and is great for a crowd. I hope you enjoy Russ’ fish as much our friends and family do!

xoxo,
Molly

P.S. Thank you to my friend Jade Curtis for taking these pictures!