Beignets — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

Beignets are yeasted, so give the dough a full rise until doubled or they fry dense instead of hollow. Keep the oil at a steady 360F; too cool and they soak up grease, too hot and they brown before the inside cooks.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 24 beignets

Flour

Bread or all-purpose gives the chew and structure to puff hollow.

3 1/2 cups

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Whole milk

Warm milk feeds the yeast and softens the crumb.

1 cup

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Egg

One egg enriches the dough and helps it brown.

1 egg

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Butter

Melted into the dough for tenderness.

2 tbsp

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Sugar

A little in the dough feeds the yeast; a heavy dusting of powdered sugar finishes them.

1/4 cup plus 1 cup powdered

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Active dry yeast

Lifts the dough; proof it in the warm milk until foamy to confirm it is alive.

2 1/4 tsp

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Neutral oil

For frying; use enough for the squares to float.

4 cups

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The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● Getting greedy

Rich enough that Mom might raise an eyebrow. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time

EffortA project

Cook it with

Air fryer

The Method

Proof the yeastStir yeast and a pinch of sugar into warm milk (about 110F) and wait 5 min until it foams.
Mix and riseMix in flour, egg, butter, sugar and salt to a soft dough, then let it rise covered until doubled, about 2 hours.
Roll and cutRoll the dough 1/4 inch thick and cut into 2-inch squares.
FryFry a few at a time in 360F oil, flipping once, until puffed and golden brown, about 1 minute per side.
SugarDrain briefly, then bury the hot beignets under a thick layer of powdered sugar.

The Toolkit

Dutch oven · Fry thermometer · Spider skimmer · Rolling pin · Bench scraper · Sifter

Straight Answers

Can you make Beignets in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Beignets? — Not ideal

You can, but the crisp coating softens. Freeze the cooked pieces, then re-crisp them in a hot oven or air fryer — never the microwave.

Can you make Beignets ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is Beignets gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Beignets vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy and egg. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.448

Beignets, and where to source it