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Easy Authentic Beignets

You are in for a treat with this classic New Orleans beignet recipe. Beignets are pillowy, deep fried dough, and dusted with powdered sugar.

  • Prep30 min
  • Cook10 min
  • Total4 hr 40 min
  • Serves24 Beignets

Published 12 Feb 2021

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A close up of beignets dusted with powdered sugar on a tray.

You are in for a treat with this classicBeignetrecipe. Beignets are like an easy version of donuts. They are pillowy, deep fried, dusted with powdered sugar, and to die for!

A close up of beignets dusted with powdered sugar on a tray.

Beignets originate from France and can be translated in English to mean fritter. They are extremely popular in New Orleans. When you make these delicious treats at home it’s just like being transported to the French Quarter.

Classic beignets are best served warm. You can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days and bring the dough back to room temperature when you are ready to fry them up. If I’m baking for a crowd I like to double this recipe because they disappear fast! Try serving them with a refreshingfruit platter and dip.

picture of beignets on a paper towel lined baking sheet

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy these are to make. I think they are much easier to make than donuts and faster too.
  • You can pre-make the dough for a quicker day of preparation.
  • While traditional beignets are sweet, they can be adapted to include various fillings or toppings, appealing to a wide range of tastes and preferences.
  • They are light, airy and taste delicious

Recipe Ingredients

  • Instant Yeast– Or rapid-rise yeast
  • Sugar– Granulated for the dough
  • Eggs
  • Vegetable Oil– Or any light oil
  • Flour– All-purpose
  • Confectioners’ Sugar– For dusting
  • Vegetable Oil– For frying, or any high heat oil
  • Salt

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

How To Make Beignets

Step 1.Mix 1 cup warm water (110℉), 1 tablespoon yeast, and 3 tablespoons sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Step 2.Add 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons oil, 3 cups flour, and ¾ teaspoon salt. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 4-18 hours.

Step 3.Heat 2 quarts of oil in a heavy pan to 350℉. 3. Roll out dough to ¼-inch thick on a floured surface. Cut into 3-inch squares.

Step 4.Fry until golden (about 3 minutes). Drain on paper towels. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve warm.

Recipe FAQs

What’s the Difference Between a Beignet and a Doughnut?

They are both similar actually. Both donuts and beignets are made from yeast and deep fried producing a delicious treat. They differ in shape and by a few ingredients. Beignets are a lot lighter than a donut as they are hollow in the middle.

What do you eat with beignets?

You can pair beignets with your favorite hot drink, add some fruit on the side, or just eat it as dessert. Dipped in chocolate sauce would also be delicious. You really just can’t go wrong.

How do you pronounce beignets?

Beignet is a French word. The proper pronunciation is ben-yay.

What do beignets taste like?

Beignets taste like a light, airy fried bread dough, they don’t actually have a ton of flavor on their own. The powered sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness that you need.

Do I need a deep fryer to make this beignet recipe?

You can make beignets in a deep frying pan like dutch oven or even a deep pot. No one likes hot oil splashing on them, so the deeper the better. You’ll need 2-3 inches of oil in the bottom of your pan.

A hand holding a beignet that has a bite out of it with a tray of beignets in the background.

Expert Tips

  • Don’t let a little frying scare you! It’s so fun to know how to make things like this even if the cooking method might be new to you. A heavybottomed pan, athermometer, and aspider strainer(to get the food out of the hot oil) will make all the difference.
  • Ensure theoil is precisely 350℉ for even frying. Athermometer is essential for accuracy.
  • Don’tovercrowd your panby frying only a few beignets at a time to maintain the oil temperature andensure even cooking.
  • Don’t bestingy on the powdered sugarand consider serving them with a shaker of powdered sugar on the side so folks can add more as they like while eating. That’s how they are served in New Orleans.
  • Keep yourhands and rolling pin well-floured to prevent the sticky doughfrom sticking.
Top view of beignets on a cooling rack dusted with powdered sugar.

How to Serve and Store Beignets

Beignets are traditionally served with café au lait (coffee with hot milk) orhot chocolate.You can top them withchocolateorcaramelsauce. Berries or sliced fruit add a refreshing contrast to the fried dough. A dollop ofwhipped creamcan add a touch of decadence.

You can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days and bring the dough back to room temperature when you are ready to fry them up. Store any leftover beignets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350℉ for a few minutes to regain crispiness before serving.

More Breakfast Recipes to Consider

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