Easy Homemade Beignets

$- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 2 large eggs - 3/4 cup whole milk - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Vegetable oil for frying - Powdered sugar for dusting What can I use instead of flour? You can use gluten-free flour blends. They work well in recipes. Look for a mix that has xanthan gum for better texture. What if I need dairy-free milk? Almond milk or oat milk are great choices. They add a nice flavor without the dairy. Can I use a different sweetener? Yes! You can try using coconut sugar or honey. Adjust the amount to taste, as they are sweeter. {{ingredient_image_1}} Mixing dry ingredients Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl. Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Use a whisk to blend them well. This mix forms the base for your beignets. Combining wet ingredients In another bowl, crack open 2 large eggs. Beat them well. Add 3/4 cup of whole milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir until everything is mixed smoothly. This will add flavor and moisture to your dough. Transferring and kneading the dough Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. The dough will feel a bit sticky, and that's okay! Lightly flour a clean surface. Transfer your dough onto it. Knead the dough for about 1 minute until it feels smoother. Rolling out the dough and cutting squares Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut it into squares, about 2x2 inches. Make sure your cuts are clean. This will help the beignets puff up nicely when frying. Frying temperature and timing Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Test the oil by dropping in a small piece of dough. It should sizzle right away. Carefully drop a few squares of dough into the hot oil, but don't overcrowd the pot. Fry them for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Watch for that golden brown color! Draining and dusting beignets Once they are golden, use a slotted spoon to remove them. Place the beignets on a plate lined with paper towels. This will help soak up the extra oil. While they are still warm, dust them generously with powdered sugar. This step makes them look and taste amazing! To make perfect beignets, you need to fry them right. First, heat your oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a kitchen thermometer to check the temperature. If the oil is too cool, the beignets will soak up too much oil and become greasy. If it's too hot, they will burn on the outside while staying raw inside. - Keep a close eye on the oil: Adjust the heat as needed to maintain the right temperature. - Don’t overcrowd the pot: Fry just a few at a time. This helps them cook evenly. Presentation makes your beignets even more fun! Try stacking them in a tower on a nice plate. Add a small bowl of powdered sugar next to them. It gives a lovely look and lets guests dust more sugar on their beignets as they wish. - Serve warm: They taste best right out of the fryer. - Pair with drinks: Coffee or hot chocolate works great with these treats. Even simple recipes have pitfalls. One common mistake is overmixing the dough. This can make your beignets tough. Mix until just combined to keep them light and airy. - Let the dough rest: If it feels too sticky, let it sit for a few minutes. - Check your oil again: Not letting the oil heat enough can lead to flat, soggy beignets. Always test a small piece of dough first. Pro Tips Use Cold Ingredients: For a fluffier texture, use cold eggs and milk straight from the fridge. Monitor Oil Temperature: Always use a thermometer to ensure your oil stays at 350°F (175°C) for even frying. Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Fry beignets in small batches to prevent the oil temperature from dropping and ensure even cooking. Dust with Powdered Sugar While Warm: This helps the sugar stick better, creating a delightful sweetness in every bite. {{image_2}} You can easily change up the flavor of your beignets. Adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg gives them a warm kick. Just mix in a teaspoon of either spice when you combine the dry ingredients. If you love chocolate, try adding cocoa powder for a rich taste. You can also fold in small chocolate chips or pieces of fruit into the dough. Those will melt and create tasty, gooey pockets. If you follow a vegan diet, you can still enjoy these beignets. Replace the eggs with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg. Use almond milk or coconut milk instead of whole milk. This keeps the flavor while making it plant-based. For those on low-carb or keto diets, swap the flour for almond flour or coconut flour. Adjust the sugar to a low-carb sweetener like erythritol for a guilt-free treat. Beignets are fun to dress up! Serve them with different toppings to please everyone. You can offer fruit preserves like raspberry or strawberry for a fruity twist. Drizzling chocolate sauce over the warm beignets adds a rich, sweet touch. For a classic look, dust them with extra powdered sugar. This gives them that beautiful, snowy look perfect for sharing! Store beignets at room temperature for the best taste. Place them in an airtight container. This keeps them soft and fluffy. If you want, you can refrigerate them. Wrap them well in plastic wrap or foil. This helps prevent them from drying out. To reheat beignets, use an oven or air fryer. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the beignets on a baking sheet. Heat for about 5 minutes. This keeps them crispy. If using an air fryer, heat at 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes. Avoid using a microwave. It makes beignets chewy. When stored properly, beignets last about 2 to 3 days. If you keep them in the fridge, they may last up to a week. However, they taste best fresh. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. They can last up to 2 months in the freezer. Beignets are warm, fluffy dough squares. They come from France, especially from New Orleans. These treats are deep-fried and coated in powdered sugar. They often pair well with coffee. Beignets are a fun and tasty snack for any time. You can make beignets ahead, but they taste best fresh. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you need to reheat, use an oven or air fryer. This keeps them crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it makes them soggy. Dense beignets may come from a few common issues. First, check the baking powder; it should be fresh. If the dough is overmixed, it may get tough. Also, ensure the oil is hot enough for frying. If the oil is too cool, the beignets absorb more oil and lose fluffiness. In this blog post, we explored how to make perfect beignets. We listed all the key ingredients and provided helpful substitutes. The step-by-step instructions guide you from mixing to frying. I shared tips on achieving the right texture and flavor. Variations let you be creative with spices and toppings. Remember, storing and reheating them properly keeps your beignets fresh. Making beignets can be fun and rewarding. Enjoy your tasty creations!$

Easy Homemade Beignets

Delicious and fluffy beignets, perfect for any occasion.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Course Dessert

Cuisine French

Servings 12

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
0.25 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
0.5 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
0.75 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
as needed vegetable oil for frying
as needed powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
In another bowl, beat the eggs and then add the milk and vanilla extract. Mix well.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The dough will be a bit sticky.
Lightly flour a clean surface and transfer the dough onto it. Gently knead the dough for about 1 minute until it becomes smoother.
Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut it into squares (approximately 2x2 inches).
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully drop a few squares of dough into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot.
Fry the beignets for approximately 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
While still warm, dust the beignets generously with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

Serve the beignets in a stacked tower on a decorative plate, with a small bowl of extra powdered sugar on the side for dipping.

Keyword beignets, dessert, fried dough