Crispy Beer-Style Battered Cod with Greek Skordalia (Garlic Dip)

If you love golden, crunchy fried fish, this Greek battered cod with skordalia is one of the most satisfying seafood dishes you can make at home. The cod is coated in a light batter made with soda water, which creates an airy, ultra-crispy crust while keeping the fish inside perfectly tender.

This recipe is inspired by the traditional Greek dish Bakaliaros Skordalia, often enjoyed during Greek celebrations and especially on Greek Independence Day and Lent. The crispy cod pairs beautifully with skordalia, a velvety garlic dip made with bread, olive oil, and vinegar.

With simple ingredients and easy steps, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality fried cod with an irresistible crunch and a creamy garlic dip that brings everything together.

Crispy Beer-Style Battered Cod with Greek Skordalia (Garlic Dip)

Recipe by George Zolis

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: MainCuisine: GreekDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories

520

kcal

Total time

30

minutes

Ultra crispy battered cod served with creamy Greek skordalia is a classic Mediterranean seafood dish. The airy batter creates a golden crust while the garlic dip adds bold traditional flavor.

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Ingredients

Metric US

• Skordalia (Garlic Dip)

• 150 g 150 Olive Oil

• 50 g 50 Vinegar

• Salt, to taste

• 4-6 4-6 Garlic Cloves

• 450 g 450 Soaked and well-drained Bread

• Batter

• 200 g 200 All-purpose Flour

• 1 tsp 1 Baking Powder

• 50 g 50 Corn Flour

• 330 ml 330 Soda Water

• 1 pinch 1 Salt

• Juice of 1/2 Lemon

• Extra Flour for coating

• Cod

• 800 g 800 Cod fillets, cut into pieces

• Olive oil or sunflower oil for frying

How to make Fried Cod and Greek Skordalia

• For the Skordalia
• In a food processor, add the garlic, olive oil, and vinegar and blend until smooth.
• Add the soaked and well-drained bread along with a little salt.
• Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
• Transfer the skordalia to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the Batter
• In a bowl, add the soda water, flour, corn flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
• Add the lemon juice and mix well until you obtain a smooth batter.
• For the Cod
• Heat plenty of oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
• Coat the cod pieces in flour so they are well covered.
• Dip each piece into the batter and carefully place it into the hot oil.
• Fry on both sides until they develop a beautiful golden color.
• Transfer to paper towels to remove excess oil and then place on a rack to keep them crispy.

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Why Greek Battered Cod with Skordalia Is So Special

Greek cuisine has many iconic seafood dishes, but crispy fried cod with skordalia is one of the most beloved. Known in Greece as Bakaliaros Skordalia, this dish combines two powerful elements: perfectly fried fish and a bold garlic dip that adds incredible depth of flavor.

The cod is coated in a light soda-water batter, which is the secret behind its airy and crunchy texture. When fried at the right temperature, the batter expands and creates a golden crispy shell that locks moisture inside the fish.

The Secret to Extra Crispy Fried Cod

The key to achieving the crispiest battered fish lies in the batter itself. Using carbonated soda water introduces air bubbles into the mixture, making the coating lighter and crunchier.

Another important step is flouring the cod before dipping it into the batter. This helps the batter adhere better and prevents it from sliding off during frying.

For best results:

• Make sure the oil is very hot before frying
• Fry in small batches
• Place the fried cod on a wire rack instead of stacking pieces

What Is Skordalia?

Skordalia is a traditional Greek garlic dip that pairs perfectly with fried fish. It is made by blending garlic with olive oil, vinegar, and soaked bread to create a smooth and creamy texture.

The bold garlic flavor cuts through the richness of the fried cod, creating a perfectly balanced bite.

Serving Suggestions

This crispy cod recipe pairs beautifully with:

• fresh lemon wedges
• a simple Greek salad
• roasted vegetables
• warm pita bread

It is a perfect dish for family meals, seafood dinners, or traditional Greek holiday tables.