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5.0 from 51 votes

The Best Beignets Recipe

These delicious easy-to-make fried beignets covered in powdered sugar will make you feel like you're right at Café du Monde in New Orleans.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 24
Calories: 129 kcal
Course: Dessert , Breakfast
Cuisine: French , American

Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm water 105° to 110°
  • 2 teaspoons active yeast
  • 1/3 cups of sugar + 1 tablespoon
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg + 1 yolk
  • 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 4 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • Neutral oil for frying
  • powdered sugar

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar to a standing mixer bowl and whisk until combined. Let sit for 7-10 minutes until it forms a raft on top.
  2. Next, pour in the remaining sugar, milk, eggs, and melted butter and whisk until combined.
  3. Attach the bowl to the stand mixer with the hook attachment, add the salt and flour, and mix on medium speed until smooth and the dough has pulled away from the inside of the bowl, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a towel and let sit at room temperature until it has doubled in size, about 90 minutes.
  5. Transfer the dough to a large clean surface dusted with flour. Roll out until it is ½” to ¾” thick and cut into 1 ½” to 2” squares or rectangles.
  6. Add 5-6 of the beignets to a pot with hot oil or a deep fryer set to 350° and cook for 1 1/2-2 minutes per side or until golden brown.
  7. Cook in batches until the beignets have all been fried and set on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper or paper towels and drain.
  8. Coat heavily in powdered sugar and serve.

Notes

  • Make-Ahead: You can make the dough up to one day ahead. It can be stored covered in the refrigerator. Once it's cooked, it should be eaten right away.
  • How to Store: Unfortunately, they do not store well in the refrigerator after cooking. However, if you must, cover them and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They do not freeze well and are not recommended. That said, the dough will be kept in the refrigerator overnight if you do not have time to make it the day of.
  • How to Reheat: You can heat this quickly in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or at 350° in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until warm.
  • Café Du Monde is the most traditional place in the United States to eat them.
  • Classically they are served for breakfast with café au lait, equal parts hot strong coffee mixed with hot steamed milk.  Oftentimes, chicory was used in the coffee to make it more bitter to counteract the sweetness from the powdered sugar on the beignet
  • If you are looking for a simpler recipe between donuts and beignets, then definitely go with beignets.
  • You do not need a stand mixer. You can do this by hand in a large bowl; just be prepared to knead it until smooth.
  • When resting the dough, you can cover it with plastic wrap or a light towel, which is what I did.

Nutrition Information

Calories 129kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 22g (7%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 11mg (4%) Sodium 116mg (5%) Potassium 45mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 65IU (1%) Calcium 12mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 129

% Daily Value*

Calories 129kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 22g 7%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 11mg 4%
Sodium 116mg 5%
Potassium 45mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 65IU 1%
Calcium 12mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.