This Easy Beignet Recipe brings the magic of Disney into your kitchen! These golden, fluffy pillows of fried dough are sprinkled with powdered sugar, offering a crispy outside and a soft, airy inside. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an anytime snack, these beignets are quick and easy to make, bringing the taste of New Orleans right to your home!
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My first encounter with a beignet wasn’t at the famous Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans, but at Disneyland’s Jazz Kitchen. I was hooked from the first bite! These delicious fried treats have become a family favorite, and after visiting Disneyland, I knew I had to recreate them at home. Now, whenever we want a little Disney magic, we whip up a batch of beignets—no theme park tickets required!
I also love experimenting with other sweet treats, like my Apple Cinnamon Rolls, Green Tea Cupcakes, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and the classic Pancake recipe. But beignets are special. They’re fun, easy to make, and instantly transport you to the heart of New Orleans—or, in my case, straight back to Disneyland!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe?
- Disney Magic at Home: Skip the lines and make these at home for a magical treat.
- Simple Ingredients: Most of the ingredients are pantry staples you probably already have.
- Crispy Outside, Fluffy Inside: The contrast between the golden exterior and soft interior is irresistible.
- Fun and Easy to Make: Perfect for a weekend baking project with kids or friends.
- Customizable: You can easily add different toppings or fillings for a unique twist!
What are Beignets?
Beignets (pronounced "ben-YAYS") are a type of fried dough that’s often compared to doughnuts but without a hole in the middle. Traditionally square-shaped, they are light, puffy, and usually dusted generously with powdered sugar.
Originally from France, beignets became a staple in New Orleans cuisine when French colonists introduced them to the area. Today, they’re a signature treat in Cajun and Creole cuisine and a must-try at places like Cafe Du Monde. Thanks to places like Disneyland, beignets have gained even more popularity, becoming one of the most iconic fried desserts in the U.S.
Ingredients
This recipe is surprisingly simple, requiring just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort. So, grab your Mickey Mouse cookie cutters, dust off your frying pan, and get ready to bring a taste of New Orleans (and a sprinkle of Disney magic) to your breakfast table!
- All-purpose flour – This is the base of the dough and gives the beignets their structure.
- Yeast – Helps the dough rise and creates that light, airy texture we love.
- Sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness and helps activate the yeast.
- Evaporated milk – This gives the dough richness and a slightly creamy texture.
- Egg – Binds the dough and adds moisture, ensuring your beignets are soft and tender.
- Vanilla extract – Provides a subtle sweet flavor that complements the fried dough.
- Butter – Adds richness and a slight buttery flavor to the dough.
- Powdered sugar – A generous dusting of powdered sugar is the traditional topping for beignets.
- Oil for frying – Use a neutral oil like vegetable oil for frying to ensure the beignets fry evenly and develop that golden crust.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitution and Addition
- Milk substitute – Use whole milk or use almond or coconut milk for a dairy-free version of beignets.
- Cinnamon or Nutmeg – Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for extra warmth and spice.
- Lemon zest – For a refreshing twist, add lemon zest to the dough or sprinkle over the powdered sugar.
- Chocolate drizzle – Drizzle melted chocolate over the top for a more decadent treat.
- Filled beignets – You can fill the beignets with jam, Nutella, or custard before frying for a surprise inside.
How Do You Make Beignets?
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add in the activated yeast mixture, evaporated milk, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Stir the mixture until it starts to form a dough.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes, or until it’s smooth and elastic.
- Let it rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise for about hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down.
- Roll it out to about ¼ inch thickness
- Grab your cookie cutters and get to work! Cut out as many Mickey shapes as you can from the dough. Don't worry about re-rolling scraps right away - we can gather those up later.
- Heat the oil: In a deep skillet or fryer, heat the oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the beignets: Fry the dough squares in batches, turning them once, until they’re golden brown on both sides. This should take about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Drain and dust: Remove the beignets from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Immediately dust them with powdered sugar while they’re still warm.
- Enjoy: Serve warm and watch them disappear!
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Bowls – You’ll need a couple of large and medium-sized mixing bowls for preparing the dough. A large bowl allows the dough to rise properly without sticking.
- Rolling Pin – A rolling pin helps you roll out the dough to an even thickness, ensuring that all your beignets cook evenly.
- Mickey Mouse Cookie Cutter, Pizza Cutter or Knife – You can use any cookie cutter shape, sharp knife or a pizza cutter to slice the dough into squares.
- Frying Pan or Deep Fryer – You’ll need a deep pan or fryer to fry the beignets. A fryer gives you more control over the oil temperature.
- Candy Thermometer – Keeping your oil at the right temperature is crucial. A candy thermometer ensures your oil stays at 350°F.
- Slotted Spoon – Use a slotted spoon or spider skimmer to remove the beignets from the oil without bringing along too much oil.
- Paper Towels – Paper towels are essential for draining the beignets and getting rid of any excess oil.
Variation
- Filled Beignets: Inject jam, Nutella, or pastry cream into the center of the for a delicious surprise.
- Savory Beignets: Skip the sugar and powdered sugar. Instead, make it savory by adding shredded cheese and herbs to the dough.
- Cinnamon-Sugar Beignets: Instead of powdered sugar, coat it in a mixture of cinnamon and granulated sugar for a spiced variation.
- Pumpkin Spice Beignets: Add pumpkin puree and a mix of pumpkin pie spices to your dough for a fall-themed beignet.
- Matcha Beignets: Dust your beignets with matcha-flavored powdered sugar for a fun twist on the classic recipe.
What to Serve with Beignets?
- Coffee or Café Au Lait: The traditional pairing in New Orleans. The beignets’ sweetness balances perfectly with the bitter notes of coffee.
- Hot Chocolate: A rich, creamy hot chocolate is perfect for dipping or sipping alongside your warm beignets.
- Fruit Compote: A light, fruity compote like strawberry or blueberry is a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of the beignets.
- Whipped Cream: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream on the side for an extra indulgent treat.
- Ice Cream: Pair your warm beignets with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a delectable dessert combination. The contrast between the hot and cold is irresistible.
How to Store Leftovers?
Beignets are best served fresh. Store leftover beignets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat them, pop them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes to revive their crispiness.
Top Tip
- Roll the dough scraps into a ¼-inch thickness and cut into more Mickey shapes or squares.
- Ensure the oil temperature is steady at 350°F for perfectly golden beignets that aren’t greasy.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying—fry in small batches to keep the oil temperature stable.
- For the fluffiest beignets, make sure the dough has risen properly and is soft and pillowy before frying.
- Dust the beignets with powdered sugar immediately after frying while they’re still warm, so the sugar sticks.
- Use a candy thermometer to keep track of the oil temperature, as it fluctuates quickly when
Recipe FAQs
Beignets taste like fluffy, light doughnuts, with a crispy outside and soft inside, dusted with powdered sugar.
The closest English equivalent would be “fritter” or “doughnut.”
Beignets are usually square, without a hole, and are more airy and light compared to doughnuts.
Yes, you can freeze beignet dough. Shape the dough, freeze it on a tray, and then store it in a freezer bag. When ready to use, thaw, and fry as normal.
Beignet dough technically can be refrigerated overnight, but the yeast activity slows significantly. Use it within a day or two for best results. Freezing is a better option for longer storage, as it preserves the dough's quality for up to 2 months.
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📋 Recipe
Easy Beignet Recipe (Disney-Inspired)
Equipment
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 1 cookie cutter
- 1 frying pan/ Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- ¾ cup water lukewarm water
- 2½ teaspoon yeast
- ⅓ cup white confectioner's sugar
- ½ cup evaporated milk or any drinking milk nonfat, low-fat or whole
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoon melted butter
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup oil vegetable, canola or avocado
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the activated yeast mixture, evaporated milk, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Mix until the dough comes together.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise for about 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Roll and cut: Once the dough has risen, roll it out to about ¼ inch thick and cut it into squares.
- Fry the beignets: Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the beignets in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
- Dust with powdered sugar: Remove the beignets from the oil and immediately dust with powdered sugar.
- Enjoy: Serve warm and enjoy the magic!
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