Air Fryer Beignets
User Reviews
5
Air Fryer Beignets
Description
This Air Fryer Beignets recipe starts by blooming active dry yeast in warm milk with sugar to activate fermentation. The dough is then made by mixing in flour, remaining sugar, egg, melted butter cooled to a warm temperature, vanilla, and salt, kneaded until smooth by a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. After a warm, covered rise to increase volume, the dough is rolled into a rectangle and cut into 2-inch squares. These dough pieces are cooked in an air fryer, which crisps the outside while keeping the interior soft and fluffy, resembling fried doughnuts but prepared without deep-frying.
Vanilla and sugar in the dough provide sweetness and aroma, while brushing melted butter on the dough squares before air frying helps develop a crisp, buttery exterior. The recipe includes detailed guidance on ingredient temperatures to maintain yeast activity and prevent dough toughness. The beignets are best enjoyed hot, dusted with powdered sugar.
These beignets offer a lighter alternative to traditional fried versions, using the air fryer to achieve similar texture with less oil.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup whole milk 110-120F) (80ml, warm
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar 66g, 1 teaspoon
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
- 1 large egg beaten
- 4 tablespoons butter melted (57g, unsalted
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- cooking spray
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the milk, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and yeast. Whisk together and let the yeast bloom for 10 minutes, or until the mixture is very foamy on top.
- Add the flour and remaining ¼ cup of sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the yeast mixture, egg, 2 tablespoons melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium-low and mix until a smooth dough has formed, about 5 minutes. Stop and scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed.
- Shape the dough into a ball and transfer to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot (about 75F) until visibly puffed, 1 to 1½ hours. (The dough won’t quite double in size but should be about 50% larger.)
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Stretch and roll the dough into a 6x8-inch rectangle. Cut the dough into three strips, lengthwise (2x8”), then into fourths, crosswise, creating twelve 2” squares.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Working in batches, spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray. Add 4 to 6 squares, leaving space between each, then brush evenly with some of the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
- Air fryer for 6 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. (Check them after 3 minutes and brush with more butter if they aren’t browning evenly.) Remove from the basket and immediately dust with powdered sugar. Continue cooking the remaining squares. These are best served hot, so I suggest serving each batch right out of the air fryer while making the next.
Notes
- Use whole milk warmed to about 100-110°F to activate the yeast effectively without killing it.
- Allow the yeast mixture to become foamy, indicating it's active, which takes around 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Cool melted butter before mixing to avoid cooking eggs or harming the yeast.
- Mix the dough thoroughly with a dough hook for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Oil the rising bowl well and let the dough rise in a warm spot until puffed by about 50% (1 to 1½ hours).
- Cut dough into squares using a pizza cutter or sharp knife for even sizes.
- Brush butter on dough squares before air frying to develop a crisp crust with a doughnut-like texture.
- Arrange beignets in a single layer with space in the air fryer; cook in batches if needed.
- Serve beignets hot directly from the air fryer for best texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 153 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 153kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 24g | 8% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 26mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 58mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 43mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 150IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 0.001mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 15mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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