Fried Jalapeños with Beer Batter Recipe
Crispy and flavorful fried jalapeños coated in a light beer batter, perfect as a spicy snack or appetizer. This recipe features a crunchy dry coating for extra texture and is deep-fried until golden brown for a deliciously satisfying treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Beer Batter
- 1 cup (120 g) self-rising flour (or all-purpose flour + 1½ tsp baking powder + ½ tsp salt)
- 2 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup (240 ml) cold pale ale (well-chilled; substitute with soda water for non-alcoholic version)
Dry Coating
- 3 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For Frying
- Neutral oil for deep frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
Main Ingredient
- 8 fresh jalapeño peppers, sliced into ½ cm thick rings (remove seeds for less heat)
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: In a deep fryer or heavy pot, heat the neutral oil to 180°C (350°F). Make sure there is enough oil to fully submerge the jalapeño rings. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature for best results.
- Make the Beer Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour, cornflour, and baking powder. Slowly pour in the cold pale ale while whisking continuously until the batter is smooth and slightly thick with no lumps.
- Prepare the Dry Coating: In a small bowl, combine the cornflour, fine sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This dry mixture helps the batter stick better to the jalapeños and adds extra crunch.
- Coat the Jalapeños: Toss the jalapeño rings evenly in the dry coating mixture. Then dip each coated jalapeño ring into the beer batter, allowing any excess batter to drip off before frying.
- Fry in Batches: Using tongs, gently lower the battered jalapeños into the hot oil. Fry in small batches for 1–2 minutes or until they puff up and turn a golden brown color. Avoid overcrowding the pot to maintain consistent oil temperature.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fried jalapeños with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess oil. Serve immediately while hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Removing the seeds from the jalapeños will reduce the heat level, making the dish milder.
- You can substitute pale ale with soda water for a non-alcoholic beer batter.
- Make sure the oil is at the correct temperature to achieve a crispy texture without absorbing too much oil.
- Serve fried jalapeños immediately for best crunch and flavor.
- Neutral oils like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil are preferred for high-heat frying.
Keywords: fried jalapeños, beer batter jalapeños, spicy appetizer, deep-fried jalapeños, crispy jalapeño rings, snack, party food
