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Home » Eats & Drinks » Traditional New Orleans Beignets Recipe

Traditional New Orleans Beignets Recipe

Published on April 9, 2014 Updated on April 22, 2020 by Eden

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These New Orleans beignets are so soft, pillowy and light! I’ve gone for an authentic take on these delicious southern fritters. They are easy to make and will not disappoint!

side shot of new orleans beignets

Ever since our trip to New Orleans, I’ve been dreaming about the deep fried, fluffy, piled-high-with-sugar beignets recipe at the legendary Café Du Monde.

The historical French Market has been serving up the delicious French-style beignets and coffee since 1862. Traditional New Orleans Beignets are the only food they serve, so they definitely do it right. And the place is almost always packed.

Since we live about 1,900 miles from New Orleans, I figured I’d try a few recipes out so I can make them from scratch at home!

They’re really not that difficult to make, but we’ll keep them as special treats for holidays or birthday requests. And the pile of powdered sugar makes them pretty charming and delicious!!

If you’re looking for a super easy way to make these beignets, check out our store-bought dough version in the video below!

How To Make New Orleans Beignets

  • In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar and yeast and stir. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a standalone mixer, combine the eggs, evaporated milk and salt and beat until combined.
  • With the mixer on low, add in the yeast mixture to the egg mixture.
  • Then add in 3 cups of bread flour and mix on low.
  • Add the shortening in and continue to mix before adding the remaining 3 1/2 cups bread flour. DON’T over mix!
  • Knead the dough until smooth (it shouldn’t be stiff). Then place back in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
  • Set the bowl in a warm area and let it rise for 2 hours.
  • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4″ thick. Then slice into 2″ squares with a pizza cutter.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven until the temperature reaches 350 degrees. Or you can be like me and just wait until it’s pretty hot ; )
    Then place a few dough squares in the hot oil and watch the magic happen! Turn them so they don’t burn on one side.
  • When you remove them, dust with a light layer of powdered sugar, until all of them are done, then pile powdered sugar on top! And don’t be shy!!
top down shot of powdered beignets

Where Do Beignets Come From?

The word beignet (pronounced ben-YAY) comes from the early Celtic word beign meaning “to raise.”  It is also French for “fritter.” Beignets have been associated with Mardi Gras in France since at least the 16th century, and many recipes for beignets appear in French works around the same time.

What Is A New Orleans Beignet?

Traditional French beignets are part of the French choux pastry family, which are raised in steam and have a hollow center. This method gives French beignets a light and pillowy texture.

New Orleans beignets vary from the traditional French choux pastry beignet because they’re raised with yeast instead of steam.

They are fried, raised pieces of yeast dough, usually about 2 inches in diameter or 2 inches square. However, New Orleans’s beignets are still an utterly delicious and extremely popular form of fried dough!

What To Drink With a Beignet

Having a hot drink to accompany your sweet beignets makes a great pairing. To balance out the sugar, try drinking coffee with chicory, which offers the perfect amount of bitterness, in addition to some extra New Orleans authenticity. 

montage of rolling dough, then cutting dough, then frying beignets

Tips For Making New Orleans Beignets

  • Beignets are best prepared right before consumption
  • Beignets are best served fresh, but you can fry them 2 hours ahead of time and reheat.
  • Don’t skimp on the powdered sugar!
  • Use a pizza cutter to cut up the dough, it really saves time.
overhead shot of new orleans beignets

Check Out These Delicious Homemade Recipes

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If you have tried this New Orleans Beignets recipe, then please rate it and let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

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Traditional New Orleans Beignets Recipe

You will love this traditional recipe for beignets!
4.29 from 32 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: fried food, Southern food, sweet bread
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Resting time: 2 hours
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12 beignets
Calories: 404kcal
Author: Eden

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 6 1/2 cups bread flour
  • 1/4 cup shortening
  • 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
  • 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar and yeast and stir. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a standalone mixer, combine the eggs, evaporated milk and salt and beat until combined.
  • With the mixer on low, add in the yeast mixture to the egg mixture.
  • Then add in 3 cups of the bread flour and mix on low.
  • Add the shortening in and continue to mix before adding the remaining 3 1/2 cups bread flour. DON’T over mix!
  • Knead the dough until smooth (it shouldn’t be stiff). Then place back in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
  • Set the bowl in a warm area and let it rise for 2 hours.
  • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4″ thick. Then slice into 2″ squares with a pizza cutter.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven until the temperature reaches 350 degrees. Or you can be like me and just wait until it’s pretty hot ; )
  • Then place a few dough squares in the hot oil and watch the magic happen! Turn them so they don’t burn on one side.
  • When you remove them, dust with a light layer of powdered sugar, until all of them are done, then pile powdered sugar on top! And don’t be shy!!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Traditional New Orleans Beignets Recipe
Amount Per Serving (0 g)
Calories 404 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 33mg11%
Sodium 230mg10%
Potassium 149mg4%
Carbohydrates 62g21%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 90IU2%
Vitamin C 0.4mg0%
Calcium 71mg7%
Iron 0.8mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @sugarandcharm or tag us #sugarandcharm!


30 Comments

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Comments

  1. Skye Parker says

    April 9, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    These look heavenly. Wow – a lotta powdered sugar. Yum.

    Reply
  2. Erin k says

    April 10, 2014 at 11:15 am

    Those look just like the cafe du monde beignets! It’s supposed to have that much sugar, it’s more for look although it’s hard not to keep dipping it back in lol 😉

    Reply
  3. Kailey says

    August 12, 2014 at 8:21 am

    How many will this make???

    Reply
  4. Claudia says

    February 20, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    Can I substitue bread flour with all purpose flour?

    Reply
  5. Courtney says

    September 9, 2015 at 4:49 pm

    I’m so excited to make these. Can you make the dough ahead and refrigerate it? If so, how long can you store the dough for? Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Bobye Bickel says

    October 27, 2016 at 12:04 pm

    Do you have a printer friendly file of this recipe?

    Reply
  7. milli johnson says

    August 4, 2017 at 10:25 am

    how can you make these and not have them dry out and get hard. the smart way

    Reply
  8. Christina says

    September 16, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    Omg what a great recipe.. it comes out perfect every time if you have the patience for it.

    Reply
  9. Karen says

    April 21, 2018 at 9:25 pm

    These were AMAZING! First time making these and they are super easy. In addition to powdered sugar I served them with little cups of warm dark chocolate sauce, salted bourbon caramel sauce and raspberry sauce – everyone went crazy!
    Makes WAY more than a dozen! I made three dozen and had dough left over. My only suggestion it to divide dough into 3 or 4 manageable sections to roll out, otherwise it’s very difficult to get it to 1/4” thick.

    Reply
  10. May says

    April 27, 2018 at 1:53 am

    Hi. I live in south africa and we aren’t familiar with shortening because we don’t get that here. What can I use as a substitute?

    Reply
  11. Christina says

    July 4, 2018 at 10:40 pm

    I make this same recipe every time and it comes out perfect every time.. I make them for so many people and they are just the best..

    Reply
    • Eden says

      July 6, 2018 at 9:11 pm

      Love hearing that!!

      Reply
  12. Regina says

    August 11, 2019 at 12:01 pm

    Please correct step 4 with the number of cups of flour. I added all the flour before reading the next step for adding the shortening and remaining flour. Hopefully I didn’t ruin it.

    Reply
  13. Rachael Yerkes says

    April 9, 2020 at 3:57 pm

    5 stars
    One of my favorite treats ever! These are so yummy! Fluffy and soft and perfect

    Reply
  14. Allyson Zea says

    April 9, 2020 at 4:07 pm

    5 stars
    These remind me of the most perfect ones I had in New Orleans! Thank you!

    Reply
  15. Katie says

    April 9, 2020 at 4:19 pm

    5 stars
    These look amazing! I can’t wait to make them!

    Reply
  16. Kamryn Her says

    April 13, 2020 at 11:26 pm

    Do you have to use bread flour or can you use all purpose flour to substitute??

    Reply
    • Eden says

      April 13, 2020 at 11:30 pm

      It will change the consistency if you use all-purpose. bread flour has a higher protein count. But you can try and let us know how it works out!

      Reply
      • Kamryn Her says

        April 14, 2020 at 4:12 pm

        All righty, thx!

        Reply
  17. Rachael Yerkes says

    April 22, 2020 at 2:41 pm

    5 stars
    These are the best! one of our favorite treats! so light and fluffy

    Reply
  18. Matt Taylor says

    April 22, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    5 stars
    I love beignets! These are super easy to make and yummy!

    Reply
  19. Katie says

    April 22, 2020 at 3:31 pm

    5 stars
    These are perfection! I can’t wait to make them! My family is going to love them!

    Reply
  20. katerina @ diethood.com says

    May 5, 2020 at 6:17 pm

    5 stars
    WOW!! These are amazing!! I can’t wait to try them!!

    Reply
  21. Lily says

    May 5, 2020 at 7:27 pm

    5 stars
    Absolute pillowy perfection, we dipped them into Nutella, super yummy!

    Reply
  22. Natasha says

    May 6, 2020 at 4:07 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is awesome! I made this the other day and the end result was so delicious it was worth it! My kids enjoyed the beignets and are asking for more.

    Reply
  23. Natalie says

    May 8, 2020 at 6:29 pm

    5 stars
    My absolute favorite!! Pillows of goodness! I need to make them more often!

    Reply
  24. Kristyn says

    May 8, 2020 at 7:24 pm

    5 stars
    I am planning on making these this weekend! I can’t get enough! They are so yummy!

    Reply
  25. Melissa says

    May 12, 2020 at 7:30 am

    5 stars
    These were – TDF! seriously the best thing we have had!

    Reply
    • Eden says

      May 12, 2020 at 4:37 pm

      Oh! Thank you Melissa!! LOVE hearing this!

      Reply
  26. Izzy says

    July 29, 2020 at 6:05 am

    5 stars
    These were amazing! Our dough made about 40 beignets… which was a little more than expected for our family of four. Really great taste! Definitely a keeper recipe for our book! 🙂

    Reply

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