Crispy Battered Hake

A Classic Favourite

Crispy battered hake is a timeless South African favourite — golden, crunchy on the outside and perfectly flaky on the inside. This classic recipe is simple to prepare and delivers comforting, fish-shop-style results at home using fresh, locally caught hake.

Our fresh hake is caught by Pescaluna’s own longline vessels, ensuring careful handling, excellent quality, and consistent supply. Each fresh hake pack includes 2 fillets weighing between 335–450g, with freshly frozen hake always available as an alternative option.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • Pescaluna fresh hake fillets
    (Freshly frozen hake also available)

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • 1 cup cake flour (plus extra for dusting)

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for colour)

  • 1 cup cold soda water or beer

  • Vegetable oil, for deep frying

  • Lemon wedges and tartar sauce, to serve

How to Make Crispy Battered Hake

1. Prepare the Fish

Pat the hake fillets dry with paper towel and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Lightly dust each fillet in flour, shaking off any excess. This helps the batter stick evenly.

2. Make the Batter

In a bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, paprika, and cold soda water or beer until smooth. The batter should be thick enough to coat the fish while remaining light and airy.

3. Heat the Oil

Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot to 180°C. The oil should be hot enough so the batter sizzles immediately when the fish is added.

4. Batter and Fry

Dip each hake fillet into the batter, allowing excess to drip off. Carefully lower into the hot oil and fry for 5–6 minutes, or until golden, crisp, and cooked through.
Fry in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.

5. Drain and Serve

Remove from the oil and drain on paper towel. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.

What to Serve With Crispy Battered Hake

This dish pairs perfectly with:

  • Slap chips

  • Creamy coleslaw

  • A fresh garden salad

  • Mushy peas or pickled onions

Tips for the Best Battered Hake

  • Keep the batter cold for extra crispness

  • Don’t overmix the batter — a light whisk is best

  • Maintain oil temperature to prevent greasy fish

  • Serve immediately for maximum crunch

Why Longline-Caught Hake Makes a Difference

Longline fishing is a responsible harvesting method that allows for selective fishing and careful handling at sea. By catching hake using our own longline vessels, Pescaluna maintains control over quality from ocean to plate.

This results in:

  • Better texture and flavour

  • Reduced damage to the fish

  • Consistent fillet sizing

  • Traceable, responsibly caught seafood

  • Fresh and freshly frozen options available year-round

Cooking with Quality, Sustainable Seafood

Great classics start with great ingredients. Using fresh, longline-caught hake ensures a firm texture and clean flavour that shines through the crispy batter.

At Pescaluna, our hake is caught by our own longline vessels, processed with care, and supplied fresh or freshly frozen to maintain quality and consistency. Our hake is available to buy online or in store, supplying homes, restaurants, and retailers across Cape Town with reliable, responsibly sourced seafood.

👉 Shop online or visit us in store to purchase fresh or freshly frozen hake.

 

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