Resist the Pricey Friday Night Fish Fry: 7 Better-Than-the-Restaurant Fish Fry Batters to Try at Home

Restaurants all over the nation tout Friday night fish fry specials, and some even sling all-you-can-eat iterations. For the latter, you might be able to fast all day to get more bang for your buck and actually get a good deal on dinner outside the home. But if you're heading to a run-of-the-mill fish fry on Friday night, you're probably paying more than you would to just heat up some oil at home and host your own fish fry. Batters for fish are dirt cheap, usually around $3 a box, and we've rounded up some of our favorites so you can get your fish fix for cheap.

$2 from Walmart

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Kentucky Kernel's seasoned flour lives up to its name. The seasoning in this box is immaculate. It's garlic, herby, and exudes a Southern comfort food palate. While the fish fry variation (more on that later) is also tasty, the red-label Kentucky Kernel is unmatched.

$2 from Walmart

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Notorious for its New Orleans roots and flavors, Zatarain's hits the ball out of the park with the bursts of lemon and bites of pepper in this batter. I am a huge fan of lemon pepper and the citrus flavor of this stuff belongs on fish, especially if you're accustomed to squeezing some fresh lemon on your fried filets. 

$2 from Walmart

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Like Zatarain's, Louisiana taps the bold flavors that are prominent in its namesake state. Louisiana offers a few different flavors for its fish fry batters, but the seasoned crispy one is the perfect balance of bright herbs and spices with a swoon-worthy crunch factor that's ideal for fried fish. 

Want to add a spicy Louisiana twist to your fish fry? Check out our ranking of the best hot sauces.

$2 from Walmart 

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As I mentioned earlier, Kentucky Kernel's flavors have got it going on. The seasoned fish fry version gives strong notes of cracked black pepper, balanced by tangy, tart lemon flavors. 

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$3 from Meijer

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I love a good cajun-flavored fried fish filet, and Slap Ya Mama's batter is super scrumptious. While it doesn't bring a lot of spice, it does pack more of a kick than the other batters on this round-up, and it definitely bodes well for catfish, especially since it creates a crunchy texture.

Related: Spice Up Easy, Frugal Meals With These Redditor-Approved Seasoning Blends

$3 from Meijer

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If you're after a more straightforward palate and texture for your fried fish, Drake's doesn't miss. Plus, the golden brown color it achieves is pure magic. Fry your fish in this stuff and you'll be met with a fluffy, delicate filet. 

$5 from Walmart

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This cornmeal fish fry mix achieves a crispy, crunchy texture and the Creole seasonings really come through. It's even got notes of lemon pepper to really get your tastebuds dancing. It's only downfall is that it's $5 a box, making it the most expensive variety on this list.