Craving that signature crispy fried fish from Long John Silver’s? This easy copycat recipe brings the beloved fast-food favorite right to your kitchen — with bubbly batter, golden crunch, and tender white fish that flakes perfectly with every bite.
It’s the ultimate recipe for fish fry nights, fast food cravings, or building the best homemade fish sandwich you’ve ever had.
💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy & Golden: Just like the restaurant version — light and crunchy.
- Authentic Taste: The club soda in the batter gives it that signature airy texture.
- Simple Ingredients: No complicated steps — easy and delicious.
- Great for Sharing: Perfect for family dinners, seafood platters, or fish tacos.
🛒 Ingredients
- 8 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp onion salt
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 16 oz club soda
- 2 lbs cod (or haddock, pollock, or another white fish), cut into 3-oz pieces
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Heat the Oil
Pour oil into a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot and heat to 350°F (177°C).
Step 2: Prepare the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Flour, cornstarch, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, onion salt, paprika, and black pepper.
Slowly pour in club soda while whisking until the batter foams and becomes smooth.
Step 3: Coat the Fish
Dip each piece of fish into the batter, ensuring a thorough, even coating.
Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection
Carefully place battered fish into hot oil. Fry 2–3 minutes per batch, until fish is golden brown and floats.
Use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove, and transfer to a wire rack or paper towel-lined tray.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
Serve hot with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, or malt vinegar. Enjoy the crispy crunch with every bite! 🍋✨
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Freeze: Flash-freeze battered (uncooked) fish on a tray, then store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
🐟 Copycat Long John Silver’s Fish Recipe
Equipment
- Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot
- Mixing bowl & whisk
- Slotted spoon or tongs
- Thermometer (optional but ideal)
- Wire rack or paper towel-lined tray
Ingredients
- 8 cups vegetable oil for frying
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp onion salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 16 oz club soda
- 2 lbs white fish cod, haddock, or pollock, cut into 3-oz pieces
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the Oil
- In a deep fryer or large pot, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (177°C).
- Step 2: Prepare the Batter
- Whisk flour, cornstarch, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, onion salt, paprika, and pepper in a bowl.
- Slowly pour in club soda while whisking until batter is foamy and smooth.
- Step 3: Coat the Fish
- Dip each fish piece into the batter, coating fully and evenly.
- Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection
- Carefully lower battered fish into hot oil.
- Fry for 2–3 minutes per batch, until golden brown and floating.
- Transfer to a wire rack or paper towel-lined tray.
- Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
- Serve hot with tartar sauce, malt vinegar, or lemon wedges.
- Enjoy the light, crispy crunch with every bite! 🍋✨
Notes
Nutrition (Per Piece – Approx.)
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 16g
- Fat: 15g
- Sodium: 460mg
🔥 Pro Tips for the Best Fried Fish
- Double Dip for Extra Crunch: Dip the fish twice in the batter for a thicker coating.
- Use Fresh White Fish: Cod, haddock, or pollock work best.
- Keep Oil at 350°F: Use a thermometer to maintain consistent frying temp.
- Fry in Batches: Don’t overcrowd — it keeps the batter light and crispy.
🔄 Variations & Add-Ons
- Beer Batter Option: Substitute club soda with cold beer
- Spicy Twist: Add cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the batter
- Fish Tacos: Break fish into strips and serve with slaw and crema
- Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour and cornstarch blend
📊 Nutrition (Per Piece – Approx.)
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 16g
- Fat: 15g
- Sodium: 460mg
❓ FAQs
Can I use beer instead of club soda?
Yes! Beer will give a deeper flavor and similar carbonation.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, but you can substitute gluten-free flour and cornstarch.
Can I use an air fryer?
This batter is best for deep frying. Air frying may not create the same bubbly, crispy crust.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Fried fish is best fresh. However, you can prep and batter the fish, freeze it, then fry directly from frozen.
✅ Final Thoughts
This Copycat Long John Silver’s Fried Fish recipe gives you that same crispy crust, flaky fish, and fast-food flavor — without the takeout. It’s easy, nostalgic, and a guaranteed hit for family dinners, game nights, or seafood cravings.
Serve it with fries, hush puppies, coleslaw, or pile it high on a sandwich. Once you try it homemade, you’ll never settle for soggy drive-thru fish again. 🎣🧂🍽️
