Introduction

Fried jalapeños offer a crispy, spicy snack that’s perfect for sharing or adding a flavorful kick to any meal. These golden, beer-battered rings are delightfully crunchy on the outside while maintaining the fresh heat of jalapeños inside. Easy to make and irresistibly tasty, they’re sure to become a favorite appetizer.

Fried Jalapeños with Crispy Beer Batter Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 cup (120 g) self-rising flour (or use 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 a non-alcoholic version)
Neutral oil for deep frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
3 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 fresh jalapeño peppers, sliced into ½ cm thick rings (remove seeds for less heat)

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 180°C (350°F). Use enough oil to fully submerge the jalapeño rings. A thermometer helps to monitor the temperature accurately.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour, cornflour, and baking powder. Slowly add the cold pale ale while whisking until the batter is smooth and slightly thick with no lumps.
Step 3: In a small bowl, mix the cornflour, sea salt, and black pepper to create the dry coating, which assists the batter in sticking to the jalapeños.
Step 4: Toss the jalapeño rings in the dry coating until evenly covered. Then, dip each ring into the beer batter, letting excess drip off.
Step 5: Using tongs, gently lower the battered jalapeños into the hot oil in small batches. Fry for 1–2 minutes until they puff and turn a golden brown. Avoid overcrowding to keep the oil temperature stable.
Step 6: Remove the fried jalapeños with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

For less heat, remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapeños before slicing.
Substitute pale ale with sparkling water or soda water for a non-alcoholic batter.
Add a pinch of smoked paprika or garlic powder to the dry coating for an extra flavor boost.
Serve with ranch, sour cream, or a spicy mayo dipping sauce for complementing flavors.

Storage

Store leftover fried jalapeños in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat and maintain crispness, bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 5–7 minutes instead of using a microwave, which can make them soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free self-rising flour or a gluten-free flour blend with appropriate rising agents, and ensure your beer substitute is gluten-free or use soda water.

How do I reduce the heat in jalapeños without losing flavor?

Removing the seeds and white membranes inside the jalapeños significantly reduces their heat, while still preserving their fresh, peppery taste.

Fried Jalapeños with Crispy Beer Batter Recipe

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This recipe for Fried Jalapeños features spicy jalapeño pepper rings dipped in a crisp beer batter and deep-fried to golden perfection. The jalapeños are first coated with a seasoned dry mixture to help the beer batter adhere better, resulting in an extra crunchy, flavorful snack that’s perfect for serving as an appetizer or party finger food. The beer batter adds a light, airy texture while balancing the heat of the jalapeños with a subtle maltiness. Serve these piping hot with your favorite dipping sauce for a deliciously addictive treat.

Author: Bella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Beer Batter

1 cup (120 g) self-rising flour (or use 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 soda water for a non-alcoholic version)

Dry Coating

3 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Main Ingredient

8 fresh jalapeño peppers, sliced into ½ cm thick rings (seeds removed for less heat)

For Frying

Neutral oil for deep frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)

Instructions

Heat the Oil: In a deep fryer or a heavy pot, heat enough neutral oil to fully submerge the jalapeño rings to 180°C (350°F). Use a thermometer if possible to monitor the temperature accurately.
Make the Beer Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour, cornflour, and baking powder. Gradually pour in the cold pale ale while whisking until the batter is smooth and free of lumps, with a light and slightly thick consistency.
Prepare the Dry Coating: In a small bowl, combine the cornflour, fine sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This mixture will help the batter adhere better to the jalapeños and add extra crunch.
Coat the Jalapeños: Toss the jalapeño slices in the dry coating until evenly coated. Then dip each ring into the beer batter, allowing any excess batter to drip off before frying.
Fry in Batches: Using tongs, carefully lower the battered jalapeños into the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can lower the oil temperature. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes until they puff up and turn golden brown.
Drain and Serve: Remove the fried jalapeños with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately while hot, optionally with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

For less heat, remove the seeds from the jalapeño slices before frying.
Ensure the oil temperature remains steady at 180°C (350°F) to achieve a crispy coating without absorbing excess oil.
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil, for best frying results.
Keep batches small to maintain oil temperature and ensure even frying.
You may substitute cold soda water for the pale ale to make this recipe non-alcoholic.
Serve with dips like ranch dressing, sour cream, or a spicy aioli for added flavor.

Keywords: fried jalapeños, beer battered jalapeños, crispy jalapeño rings, spicy snack, appetizer, deep fried jalapeños