Traditional British Fish and Chips with Tartar Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-08 · Updated 2026-05-08

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Golden deep-fried cod fillets with crispy battered fries and creamy homemade tartar sauce. This British-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, layers cod fillets, all-purpose flour, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 British cuisine 650 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb, skinless, cut into 4 pieces cod fillets
1 cup, plus 1/2 cup for dredging all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup cold sparkling water
4 large, peeled and cut into thick fries potatoes
4 cups for frying vegetable oil
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp, finely chopped dill pickles
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp, chopped capers
to taste salt
to taste black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F.
Step 2: Rinse and pat dry 4 large peeled potatoes cut into thick fries. Fry them in batches for 4 minutes until pale and soft but not colored. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1 cup cold sparkling water until smooth to make the batter. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Lightly dredge each 1 lb cod fillet piece in 1/2 cup flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the batter coating completely.
Step 5: Fry the battered cod pieces in hot oil for 5-6 minutes until golden and crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Step 6: Increase oil temperature to 375°F. Return the fries to the oil and fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.
Step 7: For tartar sauce, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp finely chopped dill pickles, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp chopped capers in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 8: Serve the fish and chips hot with tartar sauce and lemon wedges on the side.