Beignets from scratch are the ultimate recipe to make at home. Get a taste of New Orleans beignets in your kitchen with this easy recipe for homemade beignets. The dough comes together quickly with just a one-hour rise time, and it can also be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days before frying. These puffy donuts with a hollow center covered in an obscene amount of powdered sugar can't be missed!
This Beignets Recipe may be life-changing.
I’m just going to say it: this is the best recipe to ever come out of my kitchen. Apologies for being so demonstrative, but I'm still on a powdered sugar high.
I am an absolute beignet lover. I grew up in Texas, so the box mix of Cafe du Monde beignets was common on our HEB store shelves. We bought and made the box mix often in college. One person would be in charge of frying the dough in the oil, the next person would scoop them out of the oil when they were golden brown on both sides, and the newbie in the kitchen would be in charge of dunking the freshly fried dough squares in powdered sugar. We loved putting the newbie in charge of the powdered sugar, so that they could keep asking us 'how much powdered sugar?,' and we could keep saying 'more more more!'
However, it wasn't until my honeymoon that I tasted my first real authentic beignet from Cafe du Monde in New Orleans. Upon the first bite, my husband and I sat there in a trance: guzzling chicory coffee and eating beignets so quickly. We had little regard for the amount of powdered sugar on our face, or for the amount accumulating on the table and floor. The absolute delight you experience upon the first bite of these square-shaped pieces of dough that are deep-fried and generously sprinkled with confectioners sugar is life-changing.
What is a beignet?
A beignet is a yeast-risen dough that is rolled out, cut into square shapes, and deep-fried until golden brown. A hollow pocket forms in the center of the beignet when frying. Right when the beignets come out of the frying oil, they are rolled in copious amounts of powdered sugar. The dough is special because it only needs one rise to be ready to cook, and because it contains shortening, eggs, and boiling water.
What does a beignet taste like?
A beignet tastes very similar to a powdered sugar doughnut because both are deep-fried and then rolled in a coating.
Easy Beignet Recipe ingredients
Active Dry Yeast. We're using active dry yeast for this recipe, because it can be 'proofed' or checked before proceeding with the recipe. By combining the yeast with a pinch of sugar and warm water and waiting to see if it becomes foamy, we are certain our dough will rise before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Shortening. This recipe uses vegetable shortening, and while it can be substituted with butter, I really don't recommend it. Shortening is what creates the pocket of air in the center of the beignet. This is because shortening contains absolutely no water, while butter contains water.
Sugar. We need a small amount of sugar for the dough, plus an extra pinch for waking up the yeast and helping it rise.
Whole Milk.
Egg. This is a small-batch beignet recipe that makes 4-5 large beignets, so we only need an egg white.
All-Purpose Flour.
Oil for Frying. I like any kind of neutral oil for frying sweets: canola oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil. Do not use anything with a strong flavor, like olive oil or coconut oil.
Powdered Sugar.
What is the best beignet oil?
Any neutral oil is great for frying, such as canola oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil. The legendary Cafe du Monde uses cottonseed oil for frying.
How to make Beignets
- Gather the ingredients: yeast, shortening, sugar, milk, egg white, and flour. Have the oil in a large, deep pot with a thermometer clipped to the side.
- In a medium bowl, add 2 tablespoons of warm water, ½ teaspoon of active dry yeast, and a small pinch of sugar. Stir this together, and let it sit for 5 minutes to become foamy.
- In a separate bowl, combine 2 teaspoons of shortening, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 3 tablespoons of whole milk, and the egg white. Whisk very well to combine.
- Pour the 3 tablespoons of boiling water slowly into the shortening mixture. Test this mixture with a thermometer, and when it is between 110-115-degrees Fahrenheit, stir it into the yeast mixture.
- Once everything is combined, add 1 ¼ cups of flour and a pinch of salt. When the dough is fully mixed, cover it with plastic wrap and let it rise in warm place for 1 hour. You can make this dough up to 3 days ahead of time and store in the fridge. Let rest at room temperature until its easy to roll out and proceed.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the risen dough on a floured surface, and roll it gently into an 8-inch by 4-inch rectangle. Use a pizza wheel to cut it into 8 pieces--cut it in half first, and cut each half into quarters. You may also make 4 large beignets instead of 8 small ones!
- When the oil is at 360, drop in 3 pieces of dough. Fry for 1-2 minutes, flip and fry for another minute.
- Move to wire rack to drain any excess oil, and then toss with powdered sugar. Repeat with remaining dough, monitoring the temperature of the oil to ensure it stays near 360.
You can double or triple this recipe to get more beignets easily, just follow it exactly (use only egg whites, not the whole egg).
Beignet Recipe Easy tips and tricks
- Use a thermometer to ensure your oil is at the proper temperature. This is the one that I like.
- Use a deep pot anytime you are frying to prevent oil from overflowing.
- You can make this dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days before frying.
How to serve Beignets
Do you eat beignets hot or cold?
Beignets are meant to be eaten hot, within moments of coming out of the fryer. Wash them down with a cup of milky chicory coffee.
Beignet Recipe storage:
Just like regular fried foods and doughnuts, beignets do not keep very well. Overtime, they become soft and soggy. This recipe is small batch, and meant to be eaten the same day it's made.
Easy Beignets Recipe FAQs
What's the difference between a donut and a beignet?
A donut can be dipped in any kind of coating (glaze, frosting, cinnamon sugar, or powdered sugar) and stuffed with anything (creams or jelly), while beignets are only rolled in powdered sugar. Very good beignets have a hollow center, or pocket of air (see the photos below), while donuts do not. Donut dough always rises twice so that it keeps its shape better when fried, while beignets only need to rise once. Beignets and donuts both fry at the same temperature, however.
Are beignets like funnel cakes?
Absolutely not: funnel cakes are made of pancake batter that is deep-fried. Funnel cake batter does not contain yeast, nor does it require a rising time. Beignets are more similar to donuts than funnel cakes.
Are beignets French or Louisianan?
Beignets are French-inspired doughnuts created in Louisiana by French settlers.
Are beignets supposed to be doughy?
On the inside, beignets should be light and fluffy, like a regular fried doughnut. If your final product is doughy, the oil might have been too cool when you added the beignets, causing them to absorb oil and become doughy. Use a thermometer to ensure the temperature is 360-degrees Fahrenheit before adding your dough.
Other New Orleans recipes:
Beignet Recipe (Easy!)
New Orleans style homemade beignets recipe, from scratch!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons warm water (105°F)
- ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoon vegetable shortening
- 1 tablespoon sugar (plus a pinch for yeast proofing)
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 large egg white
- 3 tablespoons boiling water
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling)
- pinch of salt
- 2 cups neutral oil for frying (I use canola)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- First, heat the water to 105°F in a small bowl.
- Add the yeast and a pinch of sugar to the water. Stir to dissolve. Let it sit and confirm the yeast is active---it will foam. If it does not foam, throw it out and start over.
- Meanwhile, combine the shortening, sugar, milk, and egg white in a small cup. Whisk together well, then add the boiling water. Test the temperature of this mixture, and when it's between 105-110°, add it to the foamy yeast mixture. Stir well.
- Add the flour and salt to the bowl, and stir gently to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 1 hour. You can make the dough ahead of time up to this point. I have kept dough for 3 days in the fridge before frying, and it's fine.
- Heat the oil in a deep pot to 360°F.
- Meanwhile, divide the dough in half, and roll it out on a floured counter into a square about 6" wide. Use a pizza wheel to cut it small squares. (see photo above for reference)
- When the oil is at 360°, drop in 3 square of dough. Do not walk away. The first side fries for 1-2 minutes. When golden brown on one side, flip the squares using a fork and continue to fry. When that side is golden brown (about 1 minute more), remove from the oil onto a cooling rack lined with paper towels.
- Roll out the other half of the dough, cut into squares, and fry all the squares.
- After cooling for about 5 minutes, dunk the beignets into the powdered sugar. Serve with all the extra powdered sugar piled on top.
Notes
Active Dry Yeast: We're using active dry yeast for this recipe because we can proof it to be certain our dough will rise before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Shortening: Highly recommend vegetable shortening, but you may use butter. Beignets made with butter don't have the hollow centers as often, be warned.
Sugar: We need sugar for the dough, plus an extra pinch for waking up the yeas.
Egg: This is a small-batch beignet recipe that makes 4 large beignets (or 8 small ones), so we only need an egg white. If you double the recipe, use 2 egg whites, NOT a whole egg.
Oil for Frying: The best oil for frying is canola oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil. Do not use anything with a strong flavor, such as olive oil or coconut oil.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 649Total Fat: 58gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 51gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 13mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 3g
Julia @ Sprinkled With Jules says
I made these today, they were so easy and so good!!
Christina Lane says
Aww, thanks so much, Julia!
Linda says
I used this recipe for the first time about a month ago. They turned our beautiful an were gone in about 10 minutes.
Tonight I decided to use it again but big dissappointment. I tested the water to get the right temp, i followed the recipe to a T. To no avail an no rising. I don't understand what happened,what I did wrong. I did everything you said to do an I'm so upset,so are my neighbors. Everyone was looking forward to enjoying my beigets,they got NOTHING.
Thanks
Christina Lane says
Sounds like your yeast died. Sorry, friend. Try again, but don't get the liquid too hot and kill the yeast.
Tengo un plan B says
Hi there! I am just about to make these and so excited about it! Just one question. I want to have them for breakfast tomorrow so I will leave the dough in the refrigerator overnight. And here is my doubt: you let it rise for 1 hour and then put it in the refrigerator? Or you make the dough and then it proofs in the refrigerator overnight?
Thank you!!
Christina Lane says
I think either way works fine. I'm a little late getting back to you, so let me know how it went :)
Karen says
I just made these for my husband and me. They were pretty good but I wondered if you could add more sugar to the dough and maybe a little salt. The insides tasted a little bland to me.
LJ says
Agree they needed some salt.
Lisa says
I had my first beignets on our New Orleans honeymoon in 1974! I swear that beignets are the food of the gods. We have made the pilgrimage many times and Cafe du Monde is always our last stop before calling it a night. I have sucked in and choked on powdered sugar more times than I care to admit! Seeing your posting for a small batch has empowered me to give it a try. I can't wait to try the other NOLA favorites here too. Thanks so much!
Jamie says
These sound amazing! Could you use butter in place of shortening? Also do you foresee any issues in issuing a cookie cutter instead of cutting squares? I'd like to make heart shaped ones for my husband for Valentine's Day
Christina Lane says
Hi Jamie,
Unfortunately, no. Shortening has a different melt point than butter, and will behave very differently.
But I think heart beignets sound ADORABLE :)
Kate says
I actually ended up using butter instead of shortening, and it worked really well! I did chill the dough for about 12 hours before cooking though, and I didn't use the exact temperatures listed, but it still worked.
Christina Lane says
Thanks for letting us know butter can be used! :)
Teresa says
Can U put jelly in the center and then fry it? I feel like they would be even more amazing.
Christina Lane says
I haven't tried that, Teresa, but you totally should and let us all know :) YUM!
Jocelyn B says
I made these today and they turned out great! The recipe was quick, and it wasn't overly fussy. I'm so happy that I finally found a small-batch recipe for doughnuts!
Anaya says
Thank you so much for this wonderful little recipe! Never had the delightful treats before and decided to give them a try! Recipe was easy to follow and the perfect size to share with a few friends! My husband and I loved them!
Rosealie Lauckhart says
Can you cook these in your air fryer
Rosealie Lauckhart says
Can you cook these in your Air fryer instead of deep frying