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Fluffy New Orleans Beignets Recipe Easy Homemade Dough for Beginners

New Orleans beignets - featured image

These homemade New Orleans beignets are light, fluffy pillows of dough, fried until golden and dusted with powdered sugar. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or a sweet treat, this easy recipe is beginner-friendly and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (500g)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g)
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet, 7g)
  • 1 cup warm milk (240ml, about 110Β°F)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (56g)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
  • Vegetable oil (canola or peanut oil) for deep-frying
  • 1 to 2 cups powdered sugar (120-240g), sifted for dusting

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together warm milk and granulated sugar.
  2. Sprinkle active dry yeast over the mixture and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  3. Whisk in melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg (if using) until smooth.
  4. Add salt and flour in two batches, mixing until a sticky dough forms.
  5. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  6. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
  7. Punch down dough, turn onto a floured surface, and roll out to 1/4-inch thickness.
  8. Cut into 2-inch squares using a bench scraper or sharp knife.
  9. Arrange dough pieces on a lightly floured tray, cover, and let rest for 20 minutes.
  10. Pour vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed pot to a depth of about 2 inches and heat to 350Β°F.
  11. Gently place dough squares into hot oil in batches, frying 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown.
  12. Remove beignets with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  13. While still warm, generously dust with sifted powdered sugar.
  14. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

Let the dough rise twice for maximum fluffiness. Keep oil at a steady 350Β°F for best results. For gluten-free or dairy-free versions, substitute flour and milk as needed. Beignets are best served fresh and warm, but leftovers can be reheated in the oven. Add lemon zest or cinnamon to powdered sugar for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: beignets, New Orleans, fried dough, easy beignets, homemade, brunch, dessert, powdered sugar, beginner recipe