Home-made Fried Batter

Back when I was living in poverty in my non-vegan days, one thing I could order from Captain D's was the cracklin. For 25 cents I could get a whole box of fried batter. Yes. Fried batter. That's all it is. It's not healthy, I know. But it's good and it's cheap! So I tried to make some at home. Mine is not nearly as good because it's just flour and water poured into hot oil. My texture and shapes are not right either. I'm sure Captain D's has a nice blend of non-vegan ingredients.