Beignets Easy And Fail Proof Recipe

Published Jan 18, 2020 Updated Oct 01, 2024

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.

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.