With this Arthur Treacher’s Copycat Fish & Chips Recipe, you get all the crispy, flaky goodness without the drive-thru hassle. Perfect for family dinners or impressing guests with a classic, homemade British-American feast.

Golden crispy Arthur Treacher’s style fish and chips served with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
Save This Recipe Form

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below & I will send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from me on occasion!

If you grew up loving Arthur Treacher’s fish and chips, you know there’s nothing quite like that crispy, golden batter paired with flaky, tender white fish. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to drive to the nearest outlet or wait in line to get that perfect plate.

With this Arthur Treacher’s Copycat Fish & Chips Recipe, you can make that iconic, crunchy, restaurant-style fish at home, minus the mystery and with way more bragging rights.

This recipe nails the light, crispy batter that stays crunchy without being greasy and the flaky white fish that melts in your mouth.

Serve it with crispy fries and tartar sauce, and you’ve got yourself a classic British-American favorite that’s perfect for any day of the week.

Plate of crispy Arthur Treacher’s style fish and chips served with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

  • Crispy and light batter that doesn’t get soggy
  • Flaky, tender white fish fillets that cook perfectly every time
  • Simple ingredients, no fancy seafood market needed
  • Perfect for family dinners, game day, or casual get-togethers
  • Easy to customize with your favorite dipping sauces

Arthur Treacher’s Copycat Fish & Chips Ingredients

Ingredients needed for Arthur Treacher's Copycat Fish & Chips Recipe on kitchen table.
  • White fish fillets (cod, haddock, or pollock work best): Fresh, flaky fish perfect for crispy air fryer cooking.
  • All-purpose flour: Helps create a light, crispy batter coating.
  • Cornstarch: Adds extra crunch and helps make batter crispy.
  • Baking powder: Adds extra puffiness and crunch to the batter.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness to batter.
  • Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the seasoning perfectly.
  • Paprika: Gives mild smoky flavor and subtle color tint.
  • Garlic powder: Adds savory garlic flavor without overpowering dish.
  • Onion powder: Provides gentle onion flavor and aromatic depth.
  • Sparkling water, club soda or beer: Keeps batter light, airy, and irresistibly crispy.
  • French fries: Classic crispy side to complete your fish dinner.

How To Make Arthur Treacher’s Copycat Fish & Chips Recipe

Patting white fish fillets dry and seasoning with salt and pepper.

Step One: Pat fish fillets dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.

Step Two: In a bowl, whisk ¾ cup flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in cold sparkling water or beer until smooth.

Whisking flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and cold sparkling water into batter.

Step Three: Dredge each fillet in the remaining ¼ cup flour. Dip into the batter, then coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to stick.

Step Four: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. Place fish in a single layer (don’t overcrowd). Spray the tops with cooking spray. Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

Step Five: While the fish cooks, air fry frozen fries according to package instructions or until crispy. Plate your crispy fish and fries with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

Placing breaded fish fillets in air fryer basket sprayed with cooking spray.

Arthur Treacher’s Copycat Fish & Chips Recipe Tips

  • Use cold sparkling water or beer in the batter — keeps it light and crispy.
  • Pat fish dry before coating — helps batter stick and prevents sogginess.
  • Maintain oil or air fryer temperature — 350°F–400°F is ideal for crispiness.
  • Don’t overcrowd the fryer or air fryer basket — cook in batches for even cooking.
  • Serve immediately — the crispiness fades quickly once cooked.
  • Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch if air frying or baking.
  • Season the fish lightly before battering for enhanced flavor.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

  • Storing: Store leftover fish and chips in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep fish and fries separate to prevent sogginess.
  • Freezing: Freeze cooked fish and fries in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored for up to 1 month.
  • Reheating: Reheat fish and fries in the air fryer or oven at 375°F for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as it makes them soggy.
Plate of golden, crispy Arthur Treacher’s style fish and chips with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.

What To Serve With Arthur Treacher’s Copycat Fish & Chips Recipe

When it comes to sides for Arthur Treacher’s Copycat Fish & Chips, classic is always the way to go. Crispy fries are the obvious partner-in-crime, but don’t stop there—serve up some tangy tartar sauce, zesty coleslaw, and a few lemon wedges to brighten every bite.

For a bit of green, a simple garden salad or steamed veggies balance out the meal without stealing the spotlight. And if you’re feeling extra, add a side of mushy peas or baked beans to bring a true British pub vibe to your plate.

Arthur Treacher’s Copycat Fish & Chips Recipe Faqs

What type of fish works best? Cod, haddock, or pollock are ideal for their mild flavor and flaky texture.

Can I use beer or sparkling water in the batter? Yes! Both help create a light, crispy batter. Beer adds extra flavor.

How do I keep the batter from getting soggy? Pat the fish dry before battering and serve immediately after frying or air frying.

Can I prepare the batter ahead of time? It’s best to mix the batter fresh for maximum crispiness.

Plate of golden, crispy Arthur Treacher’s style fish and chips with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.

More Copycat Arthur Treachers Recipes

Arthur Treacher’s Fish Batter Copycat Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Po Boy Sandwich

Arthur Treacher’s Tartar Sauce Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Hush Puppies Copycat Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Remoulade Sauce Copycat Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Fried Pickles Copycat Recipe

Don’t Forget To Pin!

Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures!

Golden crispy Arthur Treacher’s style fish and chips served with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.

Arthur Treacher’s Copycat Fish & Chips Recipe

No ratings yet
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Description

Make crispy, golden Arthur Treacher’s fish & chips at home with this easy copycat recipe. Perfectly battered white fish served with crispy fries.

Ingredients 

  • 4 white fish fillets, cod, haddock, or pollock
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup cold sparkling water or beer
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 cups Frozen French fries

Instructions

  • Pat fish fillets dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • In a bowl, whisk ¾ cup flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in cold sparkling water or beer until smooth.
  • Dredge each fillet in the remaining ¼ cup flour. Dip into the batter, then coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to stick.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. Place fish in a single layer (don’t overcrowd). Spray the tops with cooking spray. Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
  • While the fish cooks, air fry frozen fries according to package instructions or until crispy.
  • Plate your crispy fish and fries with tartar sauce and lemon wedges. Enjoy!

Equipment

  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 322kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 21gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 734mgPotassium: 544mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 2mg

Share this recipe

We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!