What is the Islamic ruling on consuming foods prepared with beer batter, such as fried fish or chicken, where beer is used as part of the cooking process?

The ruling on consuming foods cooked with beer batter centers around two primary considerations: the status of alcohol (khamr) in Islam, and the effect of cooking on the alcohol’s presence and characteristics.

It is agreed upon among the majority of Muslim scholars that alcohol (khamr) is najis (impure) and haram (forbidden) for consumption in all forms, whether in large or small amounts, whether it intoxicates directly or is mixed in foods or drinks. Allah ﷻ said:
“O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, idolatrous practices, and divining arrows are abominations of Satan’s handiwork. So avoid them so that you may be successful.”
(Surat al-Ma’idah, 5:90)

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said:
“Whatever intoxicates in large amounts, a small amount of it is also forbidden.”
(Reported by Abu Dawood and others; sahih)

In the case of beer batter, beer — an alcoholic drink — is used to coat foods before frying. The key issue becomes whether the alcohol completely evaporates during the cooking or frying process, or whether some remains.

If any amount of alcohol remains in the food after cooking, even a small amount, it is not permissible to consume, based on the general prohibitions against consuming intoxicants or products containing intoxicants.

Modern scientific studies show that while cooking can reduce the alcohol content significantly, it does not necessarily eliminate all traces of alcohol unless very high temperatures are applied for extended periods. Simple frying or light cooking often leaves residual alcohol in the food.

Therefore, foods prepared with beer batter — where the beer has not been completely and assuredly eliminated — are haram to eat according to the principles of Shari’ah. This ruling is based on the certainty of the prohibition of consuming intoxicants and the uncertainty (shubha) about the complete removal of alcohol through the cooking process.

Moreover, Islam commands the believer to avoid doubtful matters. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.”
(Reported by al-Tirmidhi; hasan sahih)

Based on this, it is not permissible for a Muslim to eat foods cooked with beer batter, unless it can be proven with certainty that the alcohol has been fully evaporated and transformed, which is rarely the case in normal cooking methods.