Make light, fluffy, traditional French beignets at home with this simple, step-by-step recipe.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:15 min
Total Time:1 hour 50 min
Yield:About 18 beignets
Category:Dessert
Method:Deep Frying
Cuisine:French
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup warm water (about 105°F)
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
Vegetable oil, for frying
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
Instructions
Combine the warm water and yeast in a large bowl. Let it stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
Stir the sugar, beaten egg, and salt into the yeast mixture.
Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Gently punch down the risen dough. On a well-floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness.
Cut the dough into 3-inch squares or circles.
Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 360°F (182°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Carefully drop 3 or 4 dough pieces into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.
Fry for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until golden brown and puffed.
Remove the beignets with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Dust generously with confectioners’ sugar while still warm. Serve immediately.
Notes
Maintain the oil temperature between 350°F and 375°F for the best results. If the oil is too cool, the beignets will absorb too much oil and be greasy.
If the dough sticks while rolling, add a small amount of flour, but avoid adding too much, as this will make the final product dense.
This recipe yields a texture closer to traditional French beignets, which are yeast-leavened, rather than the choux-based New Orleans style.