Long John Silver’s batter is a closely guarded secret recipe, so I can’t provide you with the exact recipe they use. However, I can offer you a batter recipe that’s similar to the one used for their famous fish and chips. Keep in mind that this is a generic batter recipe and might not be an exact match for Long John Silver’s batter.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cold water
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Gradually add the cold water to the dry ingredients while whisking. Continue whisking until you have a smooth batter. The batter should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still run off in a steady stream.
- Place the batter in the refrigerator and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes. This resting time helps the batter develop and improves the final texture.
- While the batter is resting, heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a heavy-bottomed pot to around 350-375°F (175-190°C).
- Pat the seafood (fish fillets, shrimp, etc.) dry with paper towels. This step is important to ensure the batter sticks properly.
- Dip each piece of seafood into the batter, making sure it’s coated evenly. Allow any excess batter to drip off before placing the coated seafood into the hot oil.
- Fry the coated seafood in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the fryer or pot. Fry until the batter is golden brown and crispy, and the seafood is cooked through. This typically takes around 3-5 minutes, depending on the size of the seafood.
- Use a slotted spoon or a wire mesh skimmer to remove the fried seafood from the oil. Place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Season the fried seafood with a bit of extra salt and/or seasoning if desired.
- Serve the fried seafood with your choice of sides, such as French fries, coleslaw, or tartar sauce.
Remember, while this batter recipe might give you a similar taste and texture to Long John Silver’s batter, the exact flavor and techniques they use might be different. Enjoy your homemade fried seafood, and feel free to experiment with the seasoning to get it just right for your taste!
