British · medium · 45 min · serves 4

How to make fish and chips vegan

Short answer

Replace cod, sometimes egg or milk in the batter with banana blossom or marinated tofu, flour + cold beer + baking powder. The method is unchanged and takes about 45 minutes for 4 servings.

What makes the classic version non-vegan

  • Cod
  • Sometimes egg or milk in the batter

Swap table

Instead ofUseNote
CodBanana blossom or marinated tofuNori sheet underneath for sea flavour
BatterFlour + cold beer + baking powderNo egg needed

Method

  1. 1Marinate banana blossom or tofu in kombu stock, lemon and capers for 30 minutes.
  2. 2Wrap each piece in a strip of nori.
  3. 3Whisk flour, cornflour, baking powder and ice-cold beer to a thick batter.
  4. 4Fry at 180°C for 5–6 minutes until pale gold and blistered.
  5. 5Drain on a rack and salt with malt vinegar.

The one thing people get wrong

Nori and caper brine supply the sea flavour that batter alone can't fake.

Frequently asked questions

Can fish and chips be made vegan?
Yes. Replace cod, sometimes egg or milk in the batter with banana blossom or marinated tofu, flour + cold beer + baking powder. The method stays essentially the same and takes about 45 minutes.
What is the hardest part of veganizing fish and chips?
Nori and caper brine supply the sea flavour that batter alone can't fake.
How long does vegan fish and chips take?
About 45 minutes for 4 servings — a medium recipe.

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