New Orleans Beignets Recipe – Classic Louisiana Powdered Sugar Beignets
New Orleans Beignets Recipe – Classic Louisiana Beignets
Make classic New Orleans Beignets at home with this easy recipe. These fluffy, golden fried dough squares are covered with powdered sugar and perfect with coffee.
New Orleans Beignets Recipe
These New Orleans Beignets are soft, fluffy, golden pieces of fried dough generously covered with powdered sugar. A beloved Louisiana treat, they're especially associated with New Orleans and are traditionally enjoyed warm with a cup of coffee.
This homemade New Orleans Beignets Recipe gives you light, pillowy centers and crisp golden edges without requiring complicated ingredients.
Why You'll Love This New Orleans Beignets Recipe
- ⭐ Soft and fluffy inside
- 🍩 Golden and crispy outside
- ❄️ Generously covered with powdered sugar
- ☕ Perfect with coffee
- 🇺🇸 Classic New Orleans-inspired treat
- 👨👩👧👦 Great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
- 🎉 Perfect for Mardi Gras and celebrations
Ingredients
For the Dough
- ¾ cup warm water
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3½–4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For Frying
- Vegetable or peanut oil, as needed
For Finishing
- 1–1½ cups powdered sugar
How to Make New Orleans Beignets
1. Activate the Yeast
Add warm water and sugar to a large mixing bowl.
Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it stand for approximately 5–10 minutes, until foamy.
The water should be warm rather than hot.
2. Add the Wet Ingredients
Whisk in the evaporated milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Mix until well combined.
3. Add the Flour
Add 3½ cups of flour and the salt gradually.
Mix until a soft dough forms.
If the dough is very sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
Avoid adding excessive flour because it can make the beignets dense.
4. Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface.
Knead for approximately 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
5. Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl.
Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
Allow it to rise in a warm place for approximately 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Roll Out the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface.
Roll the dough into a rectangle approximately ¼ inch thick.
Try to maintain an even thickness so the beignets cook evenly.
7. Cut the Beignets
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into approximately 2½–3-inch squares.
Don't worry if they're not perfectly identical.
8. Heat the Oil
Pour oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot.
Heat it to approximately 350°F (175°C).
Use a thermometer if possible to maintain a consistent temperature.
9. Fry the Beignets
Carefully place a few dough squares into the hot oil.
Fry for approximately 1–2 minutes per side, turning once, until puffed and golden brown.
Avoid overcrowding the pot because it can lower the oil temperature.
10. Drain
Remove the beignets with a slotted spoon.
Place them on a wire rack or paper-towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
11. Add Powdered Sugar
While the beignets are still warm, generously dust them with powdered sugar.
For the classic New Orleans experience, don't be shy with the powdered sugar!
12. Serve Warm
Serve immediately with hot coffee, café au lait, or your favorite beverage.
Pro Tips for Perfect New Orleans Beignets
Use warm—not hot—water
Very hot water can damage the yeast. The water should feel comfortably warm.
Don't over-flour the dough
A slightly soft dough produces lighter, fluffier beignets.
Let the dough fully rise
Allowing the dough to double in size helps create the characteristic airy texture.
Maintain the oil temperature
Aim for approximately 350°F (175°C). Oil that's too cool can produce greasy beignets, while oil that's too hot can brown them before the center cooks.
Don't overcrowd the pot
Fry in small batches to maintain the oil temperature.
Add powdered sugar while they're warm
Warm beignets hold powdered sugar beautifully, giving you the classic snowy appearance.
What Are New Orleans Beignets?
Beignets are square pieces of yeast-raised dough that are deep-fried until golden and traditionally covered generously with powdered sugar.
They are strongly associated with New Orleans, particularly the city's French Quarter, and have become one of Louisiana's best-known sweet treats.
Unlike many doughnuts, traditional New Orleans beignets are usually square and don't have a hole in the center.
What to Serve With Beignets
New Orleans beignets are traditionally enjoyed with coffee.
They also pair beautifully with:
- ☕ Café au lait
- Coffee
- Hot chocolate
- Chai tea
- Fresh fruit
- Chocolate sauce
- Caramel sauce
- Vanilla dipping sauce
- Fresh berries
For a Louisiana-inspired breakfast, serve them with strong coffee and fresh fruit.
New Orleans Beignet Variations
Cinnamon Sugar Beignets
Add a little cinnamon to the powdered sugar for a warm, spiced variation.
Chocolate Beignets
Serve with melted chocolate or chocolate dipping sauce.
Lemon Beignets
Add a little fresh lemon zest to the dough and finish with powdered sugar.
Filled Beignets
Once fried, carefully fill them with pastry cream, chocolate, or fruit preserves.
Pumpkin Beignets
Add pumpkin puree and warm spices to the dough for a seasonal fall version.
Can I Make Beignet Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes.
Prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight.
The next day, allow the dough to sit at room temperature briefly before rolling, cutting, and frying.
This can make it easier to serve freshly fried beignets for breakfast or brunch.
How to Store New Orleans Beignets
Beignets are best enjoyed immediately while they're warm.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.
Reheat briefly in an oven or air fryer to restore some crispness.
Add fresh powdered sugar just before serving.
Can You Freeze Beignets?
Yes.
For the best results, freeze unfried cut dough rather than already fried beignets.
Place the cut dough pieces on a tray and freeze until firm. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container.
Thaw and allow them to rise appropriately before frying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are New Orleans beignets made of?
New Orleans beignets are made from a yeast-raised dough containing flour, yeast, sugar, milk, egg, butter, and salt. The dough is rolled, cut into squares, fried, and covered with powdered sugar.
Are beignets the same as doughnuts?
They're similar because both are fried dough, but traditional New Orleans beignets are typically square and don't have a hole.
Why aren't my beignets fluffy?
The yeast may not have activated properly, the dough may not have risen enough, or too much flour may have been added.
What temperature should I fry beignets?
Approximately 350°F (175°C) is ideal for golden, evenly cooked beignets.
Why are my beignets greasy?
Oil that's too cool can cause the dough to absorb excess oil. Maintain a consistent frying temperature and avoid overcrowding the pot.
Can I use instant yeast?
Yes. Instant yeast can generally be incorporated directly into the flour, although following the instructions on your yeast package is recommended.
How much powdered sugar should I use?
Use enough to generously cover the warm beignets. Traditional New Orleans-style beignets are famously covered in a substantial layer of powdered sugar.
Can I bake beignets instead of frying them?
You can, but they won't have the same traditional texture. Frying produces the characteristic crisp exterior and fluffy interior.
Nutrition Facts
Approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 11g
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on ingredients, oil absorption, powdered sugar, and serving size.
Similar Recipes
- New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
- New Orleans Shrimp Creole
- Louisiana Red Beans and Rice
- Louisiana Jambalaya
- Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
- Crawfish Étouffée
- Shrimp Étouffée
- Boudin Balls
- Italian Rainbow Cake
- Banana Pudding
Final Thoughts
These New Orleans Beignets are a delicious way to bring a taste of Louisiana into your kitchen. Their soft, airy centers, crisp golden edges, and generous coating of powdered sugar make them an unforgettable breakfast or dessert.
For the best results, let the dough rise fully, avoid adding too much flour, keep your frying oil around 350°F, and coat the beignets generously with powdered sugar while they're still warm.
Serve them with coffee or café au lait for a classic New Orleans-inspired experience.
🍩 Recipe Card: New Orleans Beignets
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 1½ hours
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 18–20 beignets
Cuisine: Louisiana / New Orleans
Category: Breakfast / Dessert
Ingredients
- ¾ cup warm water
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3½–4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- Oil for frying
- 1–1½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Whisk in evaporated milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Gradually add flour and salt to form a soft dough.
- Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth.
- Cover and let rise for 1–1½ hours, until doubled.
- Roll dough to approximately ¼ inch thick.
- Cut into 2½–3-inch squares.
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry in small batches for 1–2 minutes per side until golden.
- Drain on a wire rack.
- Generously dust with powdered sugar.
- Serve warm with coffee or café au lait.
⭐ Best Tip: Keep the dough soft and don't add excessive flour. A properly risen, slightly soft dough is the key to light and fluffy New Orleans-style beignets.
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