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3 Ingredient Recipe for Tempura Batter

Here’s an easy recipe for tempura batter that just needs 3 ingredients! You can make shrimp tempura, fried green beans and tempura chicken at home. It’s a great way to make a crunchy side dish the kids will definitely love.

easy tempura batter

Just 3 ingredients are all you need to make this easy recipe for tempura batter. Use it for shrimp or veggies and either way it tastes amazing. It’s a great way to integrate more veggies into your dinners. (affiliate links present)

Tempura Batter

Great for making side dishes crispy and delicious like our favorite salt and pepper zucchini chips. Our whole family loves perfect tempura shrimp and vegetables when we go to our favorite sushi place. I thought there had to be a way to bring that great taste home and there is.

Easy Tempura Batter

I mean 3 ingredients means simple right? One is water so I don’t even really count that one but is needed for sure. NO more spending five bucks on a bag at the store because it is just pennies when you make it homemade right at home.

How do you make tempura batter from scratch?

  • We will show you how with just 3 ingredients! It is so easy you’ll kick yourself for not making it earlier. AND may not order it out anymore.
air fryer zucchini

Starting with zucchini chips was a given because they’re my favorite thing to order at Carl’s Jr. Thick slices of this cheap green vegetable are best because they won’t get too soft and still have a “bite” to them. You could use yellow squash as well.

Easy Japanese Tempura Batter

That is when I started experimenting and came up with this easy tempura mix. Of course some people like a bit thicker breading, we like it light and not heavy. Then you can eat more veggies.

It is a great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables and a more fun way to create your own Tempura Chicken Nuggets too.

recipe for tempura batter

Recipe for Tempura Batter

Ok so easy y’all, the seasonings are up to you so that isn’t part of the 3. You do want some since it is rather plain without anything, and you will want some salt and pepper after fried as well.

  1. Egg whites
  2. All purpose flour
    1. haven’t tried cake flour as of yet
    2. this is how to measure flour properly
  3. Ice cold water
  4. Salt and pepper is great to add too
  5. Hot oil
  6. Large bowl
  7. Any dipping sauce you want like fry sauce or ranch

Adding seasonings into the batter itself is good but really it gets a bit diluted so you will likely need to add it at the end too. Use what you like but Lawry’s seasoned salt before serving is probably our favorite choice.

Tempura Batter Recipe for Chicken

Then of course you want the meat or side dishes you want to dip in it. As for proteins shrimp and chicken are the most popular. Veggies that are popular are sweet potato, zucchini, carrots, onions or other stiffer choices.

how to measure flour

Crispy Tempura Batter Recipe

You’ll need vegetable oil and a pan over medium heat to deep fry vegetables this way as well.

  • The last ingredient(s) are what you’re going to dip, like vegetables and seafood. 
  • I like to add the seasoned salt when it is all done but you could add a bit into the batter as well.

That is it really. Fool around with it a bit.

  • If you like it slightly thicker breading then add more flour.

If you want it crisper then make your oil temperature hotter before adding items. It is really easy!! I have used it on many vegetables with success. I have even used it for fish to make a crisp outer layer instead of traditional fish sticks. It works great for that too!

how to make tempura batter

What makes tempura batter different?

Add as little or as much salt and seasonings as you like once they come out to cool but a sprinkle of garlic salt and Lawry’s seasonings is great. You can add salt to the batter but really you’ll want to re season once it is done for the best outcome. 

  • If you’re wondering how it varies from a breadcrumb coating:
  • It is lighter and fluffier.
    • TIPS: To get this light consistency you want to first sift the flour.
    • Make sure to keep the batter as cold with ice water as possible! Add ice cubes for 15 minutes beforehand to get it really cold.
    • DO NOT over mix the batter.

Have layered paper towels ready so once you batter and deep fry to a golden brown you can set them there. This will absorb the excess oil and make a lighter taste. If you do not follow these suggestions, the coating will result in a more chewy and dough like fried foods.

Tempura Batter Recipes

Yes we love eating traditional green beans cooked on the stovetop with butter, but this takes them over the top delicious. Don’t stop at snacks and meats though, you can make dessert like our Banana Tempura too!!

tempura zucchini
easy tempura batter

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recipe for tempura batter
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4.80 from 5 votes

Recipe for Tempura Batter

Here’s an easy recipe for tempura batter that just needs 3 ingredients! You can make shrimp tempura, fried green beans and tempura vegetables at home. It’s a great way to make a crunchy side dish the kids will definitely love. 
Course Entree, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Japanese
Keyword batter, easy, homemade, mix, tempura
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 122kcal
Author The Typical Mom

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk together egg whites, flour and cold water. Lay your rinsed and prepared shrimp and/or veggies on the side, on a paper towel to absorb water from rinsing. 
  • Heat a pan of oil until it is hot enough to bubble when a small drop of batter is put in. 360 degrees F is ideal.
  • When batter is smooth use a fork to dip your shrimp or veggies into the mix and place in hot oil to fry to perfection. 
  • Place on paper towel when out of oil and nicely browned to absorb the excess oil. Serve!

Video

Nutrition Facts
Recipe for Tempura Batter
Amount Per Serving (2 oz)
Calories 122
% Daily Value*
Sodium 27mg1%
Potassium 62mg2%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Protein 4g8%
Calcium 5mg1%
Iron 1.5mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
tempura-batter-recipe
recipe for tempura batter
easy tempura batter
4.80 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)
Recipe Rating




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Ed

Saturday 12th of December 2020

Can I use already separated egg whites, sold at supermarkets? Would a cup equal 4 egg whites?

sarajane

Wednesday 12th of May 2021

@Ed, a cup would be more like 8 egg whites. a whole egg is approx 1/4 cup.

Michael Mueller

Tuesday 8th of September 2020

An alternate, but similar recipe. Dredge your vegetables in flour, then in the egg whites, before dipping in the batter for a better adherence of batter to vegetables. Batter is just a thin mixture of flour and very cold water. Oil needs to be really hot. Sometimes you pause to let oil reheat. Use a larger bowl of ice with the batter in a smaller bowl set in it. Use super cold water to make your batter, which needs to be very thin. Try using mushrooms, tailless peeled shrimp, onions, sweet potato, etc. for a complete meal.

Nancy

Tuesday 19th of January 2021

Thanks!!!

susan

Friday 8th of May 2020

If I use sliced potatoes, would I need to cook them first before battering?

Guy Smiley

Wednesday 10th of August 2022

@susan, why the hell would you do that?

Linda

Thursday 7th of May 2020

Very good not too heavy not too light just right

The Typical Mom

Thursday 7th of May 2020

Perfect!

James

Thursday 30th of April 2020

Would u try using seltzer water to make it lighter?

bev

Sunday 31st of May 2020

ive used club soda instead of seltzer

The Typical Mom

Thursday 30th of April 2020

I haven't tried that

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