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    Bless This Mess > Recipes > Desserts

    Easy Authentic Beignets

    Published: Feb 12, 2021 · Modified: Feb 12, 2021 by Melissa · 5 Comments

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    top view of a cooling rack of beignets covered in powdered sugar and the words "delicious beignet recipe" written at the top
    top picture is of beignets on a cooling rack, the bottom picture is of beignets on paper towels with the words "the best beignets" written in the middle
    close up of a beignets on a cooling rack with the words "the best beignet recipe" written at the top
    picture of a hand holding a beignet with a bite taken out of it and the words "amazing beignet recipe" written at the top

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

    If you have never made beignets at home, you are missing out. The dough is fast to make and rises in the fridge. Once you fry them, they puff up like a balloon and they are hallow on the inside. Since they are light and airy, you can indulge in more than one. YUM!

    close up of beignets dusted with powdered sugar on a tray

    Beignets

    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! 

    picture of beignets on a paper towel lined baking sheet

    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. 

    picture of a hand holding a beignet that has a bite out of it with beignets in the background

    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.

    six picture collage of the steps to make beignets. top left is the dough before rising, top right is of the dough after rising, the middle left picture is of the dough rolled out, middle right picture is of the dough cut into square. The bottom left picture is of the beignet dough being fried and the bottom right picture is of the beignets already fried

    You'll love how easy these are to make. I think they are much easier to make than donuts and faster too. We have started a tradition where we make these on the kids birthdays and call them Birthday Beignets. It's been such a fun thing that we all look forward to.

    top view of beignets dusted with powdered sugar

    More recipes:

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    close up of beignets dusted with powdered sugar on a tray

    Easy Authentic Beignets


    ★★★★

    4 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Melissa Griffiths - Bless this Mess
    • Total Time: 1 hour 40 min
    • Yield: 24 beignets 1x
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    Description

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


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 cup warm water (110℉)
    • 1 tablespoon instant or rapid-rise yeast
    • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • Confectioners’ sugar (at least 1 cup)
    • Additional 2 quarts of vegetable oil for frying

    Instructions

    1. In a large bowl, combine the water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
    2. Whisk in the eggs and 2 tablespoons of oil into yeast mixture.
    3.  Add the flour, salt and stir together until well combined. The dough will be a bit sticky, that's ok.
    4. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap (sometimes lightly wetting the edge of the bowl helps the plastic wrap to stick on tightly). Refrigerate dough for about an hour, until it has nearly doubled in size. 
    5. Prepare for frying the beignets by setting a wire rack into a rimmed baking sheet. Line a second baking sheet with a double layer of paper towels.
    6. Pour the 2 quarts of oil into a heavy bottomed Dutch oven or large skillet, it should fill the bottom of the pot 2-3 inches. Heat over medium to medium-high heat.
    7. Transfer dough onto a floured counter and cut in half. With one half of the dough, pat into a rectangular shape with floured hands, flipping to coat with flour. Roll dough out into ¼-inch-thick rectangle (about 12 by 9 inch).
    8. Using a pizza cutter, cut dough into twelve 3-inch squares.
    9. Repeat this process with the second piece of dough.
    10. When the oil is 350℉ (using a thermometer is the easiest way to gauge this), add a few beignets at a time (don't over crowd the pan). Fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes total, flipping halfway through frying.
    11. Transfer beignets to the pan with the paper towels. Repeat with remaining dough.
    12. When they are cool enough to touch but still hot place them on the rack set inside the pan. Dust heavily with confectioners’ sugar and serve warm.

    Notes

    • 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 heavy bottomed pan, a thermometer, and a spider strainer (to get the food out of the hot oil) will make all the difference.
    • Don't be stingy on the powdered sugar and 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. 
    • Prep Time: 30 min
    • Cook Time: 10 min
    • Category: dessert
    • Method: fry
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: how to make beignets, beignets, beignets recipe, beignet recipe, New Orleans beignet recipe, Cafe Du Monde beignets, Cafe Du Monde beginets recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @blessthismessblog on Instagram and hashtag it #blessthismess

    Here's not so great picture of beignets from Cafe Du Monte in New Orleans when we visited (and loved it) in 2017. If you've been or if you haven't, you will LOVE this beignet recipe.

    This beignet recipe is so fun to make at home. Don’t let frying deep frying or working with yeast dough scare you. Your whole family will love this soft, pillow-like, comfort food.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cathy

      September 10, 2022 at 9:13 pm

      The only problem I have with this recipe is the fact that it is so easy and good. They are a snap to throw together and put in the fridge overnight, ready to fry up in the morning. Great recipe!!

      Reply
    2. Jessica

      February 27, 2022 at 1:10 pm

      These were great! I let the dough rise in the fridge over night, then they were quick to fry up the next morning. I love to dip them in chocolate or caramel!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Hillary

      February 04, 2022 at 4:47 pm

      I followed the directions all the way, but my beignets did not puff up. They were flat and had the consistency of a biscuit. What happened?

      ★★★

      Reply
      • Melissa

        February 04, 2022 at 4:57 pm

        Was your frying oil hot enough? That first little pop or heat is what makes them puff!

    4. deb c

      February 17, 2021 at 2:31 pm

      I'd be tempted to fill it and top it like an eclair!

      Reply

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