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Soft and light French beignets that taste just like New Orleans. Easy homemade beignet recipe with a choux pastry dough and powdered sugar!
What Is A Beignet
Beignets are donut-like fried dough that are dusted with powdered sugar. They are sometimes misspelled as benyas.
The country of origin is France but they are very popular in New Orleans, especially at the famed Cafe Du Monde.
I first learned about beignets from Princess and the Frog audio CD.
Beignet Recipe
Most beignet recipes calls for a yeast dough, such as the authentic New Orleans beignets. The texture is dense just like doughnuts.
This recipe is made from choux pastry dough.
It produces eggy, light and crazy delicious beignets that are golden-brown in color and dusted generously with powdered sugar.
Main Ingredients
This recipe calls for the following ingredients to make the choux pastry dough:
- All-purpose flour
- Unsalted butter
- Eggs
- Salt
- Sugar
- Water
There is no yeast in this recipe.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
How To Make Beignets
You can make them with a yeast dough or choux pastry dough.
First, make the dough and chill in refrigerator for one hour.
Shape the dough into small balls using a teaspoon or 1/2 tablespoon.
Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a frying pan on medium-low heat to deep fry the dough balls in batches.
They are ready when they turn golden brown. Transfer out with a strainer and drain on paper towels.
Sprinkle the powdered sugar generously and serve warm with a cup of coffee or tea.
Cooking Tips
Here are my deep-frying tips on perfectly round and golden brown beignets:
- The best oil to use is vegetable oil. It’s neutral tasting and great for high-heat frying.
- Use a wide frying pan.
- Don’t skim on the oil. Use at least 2-3 inches of oil.
- Shape the dough into a ball with a spoon before dropping them into the oil for frying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you sure can. If you live in New Orleans, you can buy Cafe Du Monde’s mix and make these sweet treats at home using the instant flour mix.
Each beignet is only 58 calories, which is much lower calories than Cafe Du Monde’s in New Orleans.
What To Serve With Beignets
Serve this dish with other desserts for an afternoon tea party. I recommend the following recipes.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Recipes You Might Like
Beignets
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 4 oz. (125g) unsalted butter, stick, cut into pieces
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- oil , for frying
- 1 teaspoon powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Place water, butter, sugar, and salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until the butter is melted and the mixture comes to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to medium.
- Add the flour to the mixture and stir to combine well with the butter mixture. Continue to stir and cook until the dough pulls away from the sides and starts to form a ball, about 1 minute. Let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the dough with the eggs, starting with one egg until it is completely incorporated. Add the remaining eggs one at a time. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for one hour.
- After chilling, shape the dough into small balls using a teaspoon or a 1/2 tablespoon. Arrange the dough balls on a plate lined with parchment paper.
- Heat 2-3 inches (5 cm to 7 cm) of oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Once the oil is fully heated, drop the dough balls in batches and fry them. Keep turning the dough balls to ensure they brown evenly and puff up considerably.
- The beignets are ready when they begin to form a seam, indicating that they are bursting. Use a strainer to transfer them out and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar and serve warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love beignets in New Orleans.
Would you know how to convert recipe to Air Fryer for easier and healthier version
Hi Shirley, I don’t know about air fryer. Sorry!
Your nutritional information shows 20 pieces as one serving. Are you sure that’s not two pieces?
This recipe makes 20 beignets.
Love love love these beignets. I don’t like the regular dense beignets but these are so light and eggy!!!
Thanks Ruth for trying my beignets. You should try out more recipes on my site: https://rasamalaysia.com/recipe-index-gallery/
*Don’t SKIMP on the oil.
Curious question but can I use a deep fryer instead of heating oil in a frying pan or no? And if yes is there a difference in how long you fry them for and is it recommended I use fresh oil?
Yes, you can use a deep-fryer and yes you want to use fresh oil. Just fry until they float and turn brown like the pictures.
Can you make the dough the night before?
I am not sure. It’s best you follow the instructions on this beignets recipe.
Can you make this with gluten free flour do you think?
I’ve seen you post for older contest winners on your this site, but nothing about the newest winners. Will you be posting them soon??? Thank you
We will update soon. If you didn’t receive an email from us, it means you didn’t win.
Is there a YouTube that we watch how to cook beignets?
I don’t have a video but I will try to make one for beignets! :)