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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!
Table of Contents
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.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- New Orleans Beignets
- Malasadas
- Donut Holes
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.
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.
Can I Use a Beignet Mix?
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.
How Many Calories Are in Beignets?
Each beignet is only 58 calories, which is much lower calories than Cafe Du Monde’s in New Orleans.
What to Serve with This Recipe?
Serve this dish with other desserts for an afternoon tea party. I recommend the following recipes.Cheesecake Banana Bread
Blueberry Scones
Coconut Water Lemonade
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
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Beignets
Soft and light French beignets that taste just like New Orleans. Easy homemade beignet recipe with a choux pastry dough and powdered sugar!
4.44 from 105 votes
By Bee Yinn Low
Yield 20 people
Prep 15 minutes mins
Cook 2 minutes mins
Total 17 minutes mins
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 sauce pan over medium high heat. Stir until butter is melted and everything comes to a boil. Reduce heat to medium.
Add flour into the mixture, 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 into a ball, about 1 minute. Let cool for 5 minutes.
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the dough with the eggs, start with one egg until the egg is completely incorporated into the dough. Add the rest of the 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 1/2 tablespoon. Arrange the dough balls on a plate lined with parchment paper.
Heat 2-3 inches (5cm-7cm) of oil in a frying pan on medium-low heat. When the oil is fully heated, drop the dough balls and fry them in batches. Keep turning the dough balls around, so they are evenly browned and puff up considerably.
The beignets are ready when they start to form a seam (the beignet will start to burst, creating a seam when it is ready). Transfer out with a strainer and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle the powdered sugar generously and serve warm.
Course: Dessert Recipes
Cuisine: Desserts
Keywords: beignets
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Beignets
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 89Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 49mg16%
Sodium 22mg1%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 2g4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
