Fried Jalapeños Recipe

Introduction

Fried jalapeños are a crispy and flavorful snack that perfectly balances heat and crunch. Coated in a light beer batter and fried until golden, these spicy rings make a delicious appetizer or side dish. Serve them with ranch dressing for a cooling dip.

Ingredients

• Canola oil for frying
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
• ¾-1 cup American style lite beer (Miller Lite, Bud Lite, or Coors Lite)
• 1½ cups fresh jalapeno slices (¼ inch thick rings, from 4-5 large jalapenos)
• Bottled or homemade ranch dressing (optional dipping sauce)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat canola oil in a heavy-duty pot or electric deep fryer to 365°F. Add enough oil to reach 3-4 inches deep in the pot or to the fill line on the fryer. Line a large rimmed tray with paper towels and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
3. Step 3: Add the lightly beaten eggs and ¾ cup of lite beer to the dry ingredients. Whisk until smooth, adding more beer as needed to achieve a thinner-than-pancake batter consistency.
4. Step 4: Toss ½ cup of the jalapeno slices in the beer batter until all slices are evenly coated.
5. Step 5: Using fingers or tongs, lift individual slices from the batter, letting excess drip back into the bowl, and carefully place them into the hot oil.
6. Step 6: Fry the jalapeno slices for 4-5 minutes, turning as needed, until golden on both sides.
7. Step 7: Using a slotted spoon or spider scoop, remove the fried jalapenos and place them on the paper towel-lined tray to drain excess oil.
8. Step 8: Repeat steps 4-7 until all jalapeno slices are battered and fried.
9. Step 9: Transfer the drained fried jalapeños to a serving plate and serve immediately with ranch dressing if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For milder heat, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapenos before slicing.
• Try substituting beer with sparkling water for a non-alcoholic version of the batter.
• Serve with a spicy chipotle mayo or blue cheese dressing for a different twist.
• Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 365°F to ensure crispy, non-greasy results.

Storage

Store leftover fried jalapeños in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving, as this can make them soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other peppers instead of jalapeños?

Yes, you can use other types of peppers such as banana peppers or poblano slices. Adjust frying time depending on the thickness and heat level.

What can I use if I don’t have beer for the batter?

You can substitute beer with sparkling water or club soda to keep the batter light and airy while avoiding alcohol.

Fried Jalapeños Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 105 reviews

Crispy, golden fried jalapeño slices coated in a light beer batter, perfect as a spicy snack or appetizer. These fried jalapeños deliver a crunchy texture with a subtle smoky and garlicky flavor, complemented perfectly by a cool ranch dipping sauce.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Frying Ingredients

• Canola oil for frying (enough to fill 3-4 inches deep in pot or to fill line in fryer)

Batter Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• ¾ – 1 cup American style lite beer (such as Miller Lite, Bud Lite, or Coors Lite)

Main Ingredient

• 1½ cups fresh jalapeño slices (about 4–5 large jalapeños, sliced into ¼ inch thick rings)

Optional

• Bottled or homemade ranch dressing for dipping

Instructions

1. Heat Oil: Preheat canola oil in a heavy-duty pot or an electric deep fryer to 365°F, filling the pot with 3-4 inches of oil or using the fill line on the fryer. Line a large rimmed tray with paper towels for draining.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper until evenly combined.
3. Prepare Batter: Add the lightly beaten eggs and ¾ cup lite beer to the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Gradually add the remaining beer as needed to create a batter thinner than pancake batter.
4. Coat Jalapeños: Add half a cup of the jalapeño slices to the beer batter, tossing gently to coat all slices evenly.
5. Fry Jalapeños: Using fingers or tongs, transfer battered jalapeño slices to the hot oil, letting excess batter drip back into the bowl. Fry for 4-5 minutes until lightly golden on both sides, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.
6. Drain: Use a spider scoop or slotted spoon to remove fried jalapeños from the oil and place them onto the paper towel-lined tray to drain excess oil.
7. Repeat: Continue coating and frying the remaining jalapeño slices using the same steps until all slices are cooked.
8. Serve: Transfer the drained fried jalapeños to a serving plate and serve warm with ranch dressing if desired.

Notes

• Ensure oil temperature remains steady at 365°F for perfect crispiness and to avoid soggy or burnt batter.
• Do not overcrowd the frying pot; fry in batches for even cooking.
• Use fresh jalapeños for best flavor; remove seeds if a milder heat is preferred.
• Allow excess batter to drip off before frying to prevent large clumps and ensure even frying.
• Ranch dressing is optional but pairs well with the spicy fried jalapeños.

Keywords: fried jalapeños, beer batter jalapeños, crispy jalapeño rings, spicy appetizer, fried snacks, jalapeño recipe