Frying Beignets: Air Fryer Vs. Traditional Methods

Beignets are a beloved French pastry, typically deep-fried and coated in powdered sugar. But can you get the same delicious taste and texture if you cook them in an air fryer?

Air fryer beignet recipe

Air fryer beignets are a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version of this New Orleans classic. They are puffy, fluffy, and coated with lots of powdered sugar for a sweet treat.

Ingredients:

• Milk – Whole milk will create a silkier dough, but you can use 2-percent or skim milk or substitute plant-based milk. Non-dairy milk may slightly alter the taste of the beignets.
• Yogurt – This makes the dessert tender. You can use plain yogurt or sour cream.
• Active Dry Yeast – You can use one packet of yeast or 2 ¼ teaspoons from a larger container.
• Eggs – Bring the eggs to room temperature.
• Butter – Melt some for brushing on top and using in the dough. Use unsalted butter to control the dishes' saltiness.
• Sugar – We used regular white sugar, but you can substitute any granulated sugar.
• Flour – Use self-rising flour, not all-purpose, as it will not give the dough the necessary lift. All-purpose flour works best if you are not making them from scratch.
• Salt and Vanilla Extract – These enhance the flavor of the other ingredients.
• Powdered Sugar – Lightly dust with powdered sugar for the classic finish and sweet flavor.

Method:

• Combine the yeast, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and the milk in the bowl of a stand mixer. Set aside for at least 5 minutes.
• Melt the butter in a small bowl and combine well with the eggs and vanilla.
• Add the rest of the granulated sugar, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture.
• Beat on low speed for about 1 minute until just incorporated, then drizzle in the egg and butter mixture.
• Continue beating on medium speed for about 4-5 minutes until an elastic and smooth dough forms.
• Form the dough into a ball and place it into a large bowl that has been lightly greased. Cover and let the dough rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it to a quarter-inch thickness.
• Cut the dough into your desired shape using a cookie cutter, sharp knife, or pizza cutter. Traditional beignets are rectangular with a bigger air pocket in the center.
• Coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray and add the beignets, leaving space between them. Coat them with cooking spray or brush with melted butter.
• Air fry the beignets for 4 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 4-7 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Place the beignets on a cooling rack. Brush the warm pastries with melted butter, then dust with powdered sugar.

Tips:

• If you don't have a stand mixer, you can mix the dough with a wooden spoon and knead it by hand.
• Let the dough rest for a minimum of 1 hour to rise properly. Depending on the local weather and elevation, it may take longer.
• Don't let the pieces of dough touch in the air fryer.
• Brush the cooked beignets with melted butter for a golden brown finish and to help the powdered sugar stick.
• Cook the beignets in batches if needed.
• Cover the dough with plastic wrap between batches to keep it from drying out.
• Don't stack the beignets, or they can become soggy.
• Keep the cooked beignets warm by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet in a low oven while you cook the rest.
• Allow the beignets to cool down before topping with powdered sugar.

Beignet dough preparation

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The exact quantities may vary slightly depending on the recipe, but the core ingredients for the dough are:

• Flour (all-purpose)
• Sugar (granulated)
• Milk (warm/lukewarm)
• Yeast (active dry)
• Butter (unsalted/melted)
• Egg(s)
• Salt
• Vanilla extract (optional)

Mixing the Dough

In a small bowl, combine the milk, a small amount of sugar, and yeast. This process is called "blooming" the yeast, and it's crucial to activating the yeast so your dough rises properly. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.

In a separate bowl, typically the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, combine the flour and the remaining sugar. You can also add a small amount of salt at this stage, according to your preference.

Once the yeast mixture is ready, add it to the flour mixture. Then, add the egg(s), melted butter, and vanilla extract (if using).

Mix the ingredients on low speed until they are combined. Increase the speed to medium-low and continue mixing until a smooth dough forms. This may take around 4 to 5 minutes. Be sure to stop and scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed to ensure all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

First Rise

Once you have a smooth dough, it's time to let it rise. Shape the dough into a ball and transfer it to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or another suitable covering. Let the dough rise in a warm place (around 75°F is ideal) until it becomes visibly puffy. This usually takes around 1 to 2 hours. The dough may not quite double in size but should increase by about 50%.

Shaping and Cutting

After the first rise, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Stretch and roll the dough into a rectangle, typically around 6x8 inches or 10x14 inches in size. The dough should be rolled out to a thickness of about 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch.

Using a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or cookie cutter, cut the dough into the desired shape. Beignets are traditionally square, so you can cut the dough into strips and then into squares. You can also use a cookie cutter to create round beignets.

Second Rise (Optional)

At this stage, some recipes suggest a second rise for the shaped beignets. Place the cut dough onto a floured surface and cover with a flour-dusted tea towel. Let the beignets rest while you heat the oil for frying. This second rise helps to ensure an extra light and airy texture.

Frying

Once the dough is ready, it's time to fry the beignets. Heat your oil (typically vegetable oil) in a deep pot to around 325°F to 360°F. Carefully place the beignets into the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry each batch for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and puffed.

Remove the beignets from the oil and drain them on paper towels or a cooling rack. Let the excess oil drip off for a minute or so before coating them in powdered sugar. Serve warm with a generous dusting of powdered sugar and, optionally, a hot beverage like coffee or café au lait.

Air fryer preparation

Air fryer beignets are simple to make and a healthier option than deep-fried beignets. They are also less time-consuming and create less mess. You can enjoy the taste of New Orleans' famous beignets in the comfort of your own home. Here is a step-by-step guide to making beignets in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Firstly, gather your ingredients: milk, sugar, yeast, flour, salt, egg, butter, and vanilla extract. Combine the yeast with milk and a small amount of sugar and let it sit for a few minutes to activate. Then, add the remaining ingredients to form a sticky dough. You can use a stand mixer or mix by hand with a wooden spoon.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let the dough rise at room temperature for about an hour or until it has doubled in size. This step is crucial for the light and fluffy texture of the beignets.

Step 3: Shape the Dough

Transfer the risen dough to a floured surface and roll it out to the desired thickness. You can use a cookie cutter, sharp knife, or pizza cutter to cut the dough into rectangles, squares, or circles. Beignets are traditionally rectangular or diamond-shaped, but you can get creative with the shapes.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350-375°F. It is important to preheat the air fryer for beignets to ensure they cook evenly.

Step 5: Cook the Beignets

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Place the beignets in a single layer, leaving space between them. Brush the tops with melted butter or spray with cooking spray. You can also brush them with egg yolk for a crispier exterior. Air fry the beignets for 5-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are puffed and golden brown. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the beignets from the air fryer and place them on a serving platter. Brush them with melted butter and dust them with powdered sugar, also known as confectioner's sugar. You can also drizzle them with chocolate sauce or serve them with a raspberry or chocolate dipping sauce. Beignets are best served fresh and warm, so enjoy them immediately!

Air frying the beignets

Air-frying beignets is a healthier alternative to deep-frying them, and they taste just as good! Here's a step-by-step guide to making delicious beignets in your air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Milk (whole milk is preferable, but you can also use plant-based milk)
• Active dry yeast
• Eggs (brought to room temperature)
• Unsalted butter
• Sugar (regular white sugar, or any granulated sugar)
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• Cooking spray
• Powdered sugar

Optional Ingredients:

• Raspberry sauce or chocolate sauce for dipping
• Cinnamon sugar
• Nutella or jam for filling

Method:

• Combine the yeast, a small amount of granulated sugar, and milk in a bowl. Set aside for at least 5 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.
• Melt the butter in a separate bowl and combine it with the eggs and vanilla extract.
• In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix the remaining granulated sugar, flour, and salt. You can also add the egg yolk here if you want a crispier exterior on your beignets.
• Add the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until combined.
• Slowly add the egg and butter mixture to the bowl, drizzling it in while mixing.
• Continue mixing on medium speed until an elastic and smooth dough forms. This should take around 4-5 minutes.
• Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let the dough rise for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thickness.
• Cut the dough into your desired shape. You can use a round cookie cutter, or slice it into rectangles or squares with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
• Coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the beignets into the basket, leaving space between them, and coat them with cooking spray or brush them with melted butter.
• Air fry the beignets for 4-6 minutes, flipping them halfway through if desired. They are ready when they are puffed and golden brown.
• Remove the beignets from the air fryer and place them on a cooling rack. Brush them with melted butter and dust them with powdered sugar.

Tips:

• If you don't have a stand mixer, you can mix the dough with a wooden spoon and knead it by hand.
• The dough needs to rest for at least an hour to rise properly, but this may take longer depending on the temperature and elevation.
• Don't let the pieces of dough touch each other in the air fryer.
• Brush the cooked beignets with melted butter for a golden brown colour and to help the powdered sugar stick.
• Cook the beignets in batches if needed, and keep them warm by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet in a low oven while you cook the rest.
• Beignets are best served fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to two days.

Serving suggestions

Beignets are best served hot and fresh out of the air fryer. They are often dusted with powdered sugar, giving them their signature appearance. You can also dip them in melted chocolate, caramel sauce, Greek yogurt, or a hot cup of coffee. For a different coating, you can lightly coat them with a cinnamon and sugar mixture.

For a more indulgent treat, fill them with Nutella or jam before dusting them with powdered sugar. You can also serve them with a raspberry coulis or a chocolate sauce. A good, strong dark cup of coffee would be the perfect pairing.

If you're feeling adventurous, try dipping them in a chocolate or raspberry sauce. For a true New Orleans-style experience, serve them with a cup of coffee or cafe au lait.

Frequently asked questions