Fluffy Classic French Beignets Recipe: A Sweet Parisian Treat

Golden, pillowy, and dusted with powdered sugar, these classic French beignets dance with New Orleans culinary charm.

Street vendors and home cooks have perfected this delightful pastry over generations.

Crisp on the outside and soft inside, beignets whisper stories of French Quarter mornings.

Warm café au lait pairs perfectly with these heavenly squares of fried dough.

Each bite carries a delicate crunch that melts deliciously on your tongue.

Simple ingredients come together to create a magical treat that transports you straight to Louisiana.

Grab your apron and let’s make some irresistible beignets that will sweeten any moment.

Best Storage Tips for Beignets

• Store Smartly: Transfer leftover beignets to an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
• Refrigerate Carefully: Keep fresh beignets in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but note they'll lose some initial crunchiness and softness.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual beignets in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 1 month to preserve texture and flavor.
• Reheat with Precision: Warm refrigerated or frozen beignets in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their delightful crispy exterior and soft interior.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes

Calories: 242 kcal

Servings: 13

What Goes Into Classic French Beignets

• Warm Milk: Awakens yeast and creates a silky base for dough development.
• Yeast: Magical microorganism that helps dough rise and develop complex flavors.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness to enhance overall taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender, light texture with perfect gluten formation.
• Salt: Balances flavors and strengthens dough's protein structure.
• Eggs: Provide richness, structure, and beautiful golden color to beignets.

• Butter: Adds luxurious smoothness and deep, creamy undertones to dough.
• Powdered Sugar: Classic coating that adds delicate sweetness and elegant finish.
• Jam: Optional filling that brings bursts of fruity excitement to each bite.

Equipment for Deep-Frying French Beignets

• Stand Mixer or Large Bowl: Perfect for mixing and kneading dough smoothly.
• Rolling Pin: Helps roll out dough evenly to the right thickness.
• Sharp Knife or Pizza Cutter: Cleanly cuts dough into uniform discs.
• Deep Fryer or Heavy-Bottomed Pot: Essential for safely frying beignets at consistent temperature.
• Candy/Deep Fry Thermometer: Ensures oil reaches precise 350°F for perfect golden color.
• Piping Bag: Great for filling beignets with delicious jam.
• Slotted Spoon: Safely removes beignets from hot oil.
• Cooling Rack: Allows excess oil to drip off fried pastries.
• Powdered Sugar Sifter: Creates light, even sugar coating.

Steps to Make Traditional French Beignets

• Yeast Activation

Gently warm milk and sprinkle yeast with a touch of sweetness, allowing the mixture to bloom and become frothy, awakening the magical microorganisms that will transform simple ingredients into heavenly treats.

• Dough Creation

Blend dry ingredients in a spacious bowl, creating a soft landscape where eggs and awakened yeast will dance together, forming a silky, tender base for your delightful pastries.

• Butter Fusion

Lovingly incorporate soft butter into the dough, kneading with care until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly tacky, promising a rich and tender texture.

• Resting Period

Let the dough relax and rise in a cozy spot, allowing the yeast to work its enchantment, expanding and developing deep, complex flavors.

• Shaping Adventure

Gently roll out the pillowy dough and cut into delicate rounds, giving each piece room to breathe and prepare for its crispy transformation.

• Golden Transformation

Carefully lower the dough circles into shimmering hot oil, watching them puff and turn a gorgeous golden brown, creating a crisp exterior with a cloud-like interior.

• Sweet Finale

Dust the freshly fried beignets with a snowfall of powdered sugar, creating a delicate, sweet coating that melts on the tongue and completes this classic French delicacy.

Tips & Twists for Classic French Beignets

• Explore delightful twists on this classic French treat that elevate your pastry game.
• Swap traditional jam with rich chocolate ganache, tangy lemon curd, creamy pastry cream, or decadent Nutella for unexpected taste surprises.
• Experiment with warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom mixed into the dough for an aromatic depth that transforms the basic recipe.
• Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the perfect texture and lightness of traditional beignets.
• Prepare the dough one day in advance and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to develop and simplifying your morning cooking process.

Presenting French Beignets Like a Pro

• Pair with Café au Lait: Serve these warm, fluffy beignets alongside a steaming cup of traditional French coffee with hot milk, creating a perfect morning or afternoon treat.
• Create a Dessert Platter: Arrange beignets with fresh berries, chocolate sauce, and a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant and colorful presentation that delights guests.
• Jazz Up the Filling: Experiment with various jam flavors like raspberry, apricot, or chocolate cream to add unexpected bursts of sweetness inside each light, puffy pastry.
• Host a New Orleans Style Brunch: Celebrate the French Quarter tradition by serving beignets with jazz music playing, mimosas, and a relaxed, festive atmosphere that transports diners to the heart of Louisiana.

Fluffy French Beignets Recipe

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• Total Time: 7 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sweet and pillowy Classic French Beignets transport home cooks to New Orleans’ charming streets. Powdered sugar-dusted pastries promise delightful moments of pure culinary pleasure for eager dessert enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk (2% or whole)
• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 85 g (3 oz) unsalted butter
• 1 packet (8g) traditional yeast (active dry)
• 5.7 g (1 tsp) salt
• 50 g (¼ cup) sugar
• 15 g (1 tbsp) sugar
• 100 g (½ cup) sugar for coating
• 6 to 8 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup raspberry jam (or any filling of your choice)

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Warm milk to 105°F, dissolve yeast and sugar. Let the mixture rest until frothy, about 10 minutes.
2. Dough Preparation: Combine flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Create a central well, add eggs and activated yeast mixture. Blend thoroughly until a cohesive dough forms, ensuring no dry ingredients remain unincorporated.
3. Kneading Process: Methodically integrate softened butter into the dough, working it until achieving a smooth, elastic texture that rebounds when gently pressed. The consistency should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
4. First Fermentation: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel. Allow to rise in a warm, undisturbed environment until doubled in volume, approximately 2 hours.
5. Shaping and Secondary Proofing: Gently deflate the dough, roll out to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into uniform circular shapes. Arrange on a parchment-lined sheet, permitting a 30-minute secondary rise to develop lightness.
6. Frying Technique: Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F, using a candy thermometer for precision. Carefully lower dough circles into the hot oil, frying until achieving a rich golden-brown coloration.
7. Finishing Touch: Extract beignets with a slotted spoon, allowing excess oil to drain. Immediately dust with powdered sugar while still warm. Optional: Use a piping bag to inject fruit jam into the center for an unexpected flavor burst.

Notes

• Activate Yeast Carefully: Ensure milk temperature is exactly 105°F to wake up yeast without killing it, creating perfect rising conditions.
• Knead with Patience: Work dough slowly and methodically, developing gluten structure for a tender, light texture that springs back when touched.
• Monitor Oil Temperature: Keep oil consistently at 350°F using a candy thermometer to achieve golden-brown beignets without burning or undercooking.
• Rest and Rise Strategically: Allow dough to rise in warm, draft-free space to develop rich flavor and achieve maximum puffiness before frying.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 242
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 69 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 36 mg