Ella Walter
Beignets are a type of deep-fried pastry that can be made in an air fryer with just two ingredients: puff pastry and powdered sugar. The air fryer requires no oil to cook these sweet treats, which can be served with a variety of dips and sauces, such as chocolate or raspberry. The dough can be made ahead of time and left to rise in the refrigerator overnight, or on the counter for two hours, to develop more flavour. To cook, simply cut the puff pastry into squares, brush with butter, and air fry for around six to nine minutes.
How to cook beignets in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Warm whole milk, active dry yeast, butter, cooking spray, powdered sugar, flour, eggs |
| Temperature | 350–400 °F |
| Time | 6–9 minutes |
| Serving | Best served hot and fresh. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, chocolate sauce, or raspberry sauce. |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2–3 days. |
| Reheating | Reheat in an air fryer preheated to 350 °F for 2–3 minutes. |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients and preparation
To make beignets in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
- Warm whole milk
- Active dry yeast
- Butter
- Cooking spray
- Powdered sugar
- Puff pastry (if not making the dough from scratch)
- Flour
- Eggs
You can also prepare some chocolate sauce or raspberry sauce for dipping.
Begin by activating the yeast with warm milk and sugar. Keep the yeast fresh by storing it in the back of your refrigerator. Melt the butter and allow it to cool slightly before using it. Some of the butter will be used in the dough, and the rest will be used to brush the tops of the beignet squares before air frying. This will help create a crisp outer layer with a donut-like texture.
Next, prepare the dough. If you are using puff pastry, allow it to come to room temperature before unfolding and cutting it into squares or diamonds. If you are making the dough from scratch, combine the flour, eggs, milk, and yeast mixture. You can make the dough ahead of time and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight, or on the counter for 2 hours. Give the dough some time to shake off the chill of the fridge before rolling it out and cutting it into the desired shape.
After shaping the dough, place the beignets in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each one. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Lightly spray the beignets with cooking spray and cook until puffed and golden. The cooking temperature will depend on your air fryer, but most recipes recommend cooking at around 350-400°F for 6-9 minutes.
Once the beignets are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and repeat with any remaining batches. Dust the beignets with powdered sugar and serve warm.
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Cooking method
To cook beignets in an air fryer, you can follow these steps:
First, prepare the dough. A traditional beignet recipe uses yeast to get that puffy texture, but you can also use puff pastry as an alternative. If you're using yeast, make sure it's active dry yeast and combine it with warm milk and sugar to activate it before adding it to the other ingredients. Keep the yeast fresh by storing it in the back of your refrigerator. If you're using puff pastry, let it come to room temperature before unfolding and cutting it into squares.
Next, brush the top of each beignet square with melted butter. This will help create a crisp outer layer with a donut-like texture. Then, place the beignets in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each one. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F and air fry for about 6-9 minutes, until they are puffed and golden.
Once they're done, remove them from the air fryer and dust them with powdered sugar. You can place the beignets in a large bag, add the sugar, and shake until they're completely coated. Serve them hot with your favorite coffee or beverage, and maybe even a drizzle of chocolate syrup or chocolate ganache if you're feeling indulgent. Beignets are best served fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two and reheat them gently in the air fryer if needed.
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Serving suggestions
Beignets are best served hot and fresh out of the air fryer. They are a sweet treat, often served as a dessert, and can be accompanied by a variety of hot or cold drinks.
For a classic pairing, serve your beignets with a hot drink such as coffee, hot chocolate, or a hot beverage of your choice. You can also serve them with an espresso martini. For a more indulgent treat, dip your beignets in a variety of sauces, such as homemade caramel, dulce de leche, or melted chocolate. If you prefer fruitier flavours, dip them in jam or fruit sauce, such as raspberry sauce. You can also dust them with cinnamon sugar or confectioner's sugar for a sweet finish.
If you have any leftover beignets, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Reheat plain beignets in the air fryer, preheated to 350°F for 2-3 minutes. If your beignets are already coated in sugar, it is recommended to use a regular oven to reheat them, as the fan in the air fryer will cause the sugar to spread inside the appliance.
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Storage and reheating
Beignets are best enjoyed fresh and warm, straight out of the air fryer. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. It is recommended to consume them within a day, as they tend to lose their deliciousness over time.
To store beignets for later, ensure they are completely cooled before placing them in an airtight container. For an extra layer of protection, wrap the beignets in plastic wrap to lock in moisture and prevent them from drying out. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as this will accelerate the staling process.
If you wish to keep the beignets for an extended period, freezing is recommended. Flash-freeze them by placing them on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and putting them in the freezer for an hour. After they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Alternatively, wrap each beignet tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in the freezer bag.
When it comes to reheating, there are several methods you can choose from, each with its own unique results:
- Oven reheating: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the beignets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 5 minutes or until warmed through and crispy. The oven method is ideal for maintaining the original taste and texture of the beignets.
- Air fryer reheating: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the beignets inside without overcrowding them. Lightly mist them with water to rehydrate and prevent dryness. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until they are crispy and heated through. The air fryer method produces a crispy finish similar to freshly fried beignets.
- Microwave reheating: Place the beignets on a microwave-safe plate, and if they are stale, cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat on high for 10 to 20 seconds, and then check their warmth. Repeat in shorter increments until they are to your liking. Microwaving is convenient but requires careful management to prevent sogginess.
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Troubleshooting
If your beignets are not rising, it could be due to a few reasons. Firstly, check that your yeast is fresh and within its expiration date. Yeast can be activated by combining it with warm milk and sugar before adding it to the other ingredients. However, if the milk or other ingredients are too hot or too cold, it can impact the activation of the yeast. Therefore, ensure that your milk is warm, not hot, and that your butter is also at the right temperature.
Additionally, the dough needs sufficient time to rise. If it does not rise enough, the beignets will be dense, and if they rise too much, they may puff up and then collapse. For optimal results, allow the dough to rise in the refrigerator overnight, rather than on the counter for a shorter period. This will also enhance the flavor of your beignets. Before rolling out the dough, let it sit for around 30 minutes to lose its chill.
If you are experiencing issues with the beignets' texture, it could be due to the cooking temperature. Beignets are best cooked at 350-375°F, and it is recommended to preheat your air fryer beforehand. Additionally, ensure that you are cooking the beignets in a single layer with space between each one. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
Finally, for the signature beignet appearance, do not forget to brush the tops of the beignets with butter before cooking, and dust them with powdered sugar after they are cooked.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need warm whole milk, active dry yeast, butter, cooking spray, powdered sugar, and puff pastry.
First, brush the top of each beignet square with melted butter. Then, cook them in your preheated air fryer in a single layer with space between each beignet. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in two or three batches.
It takes about 6 to 9 minutes to cook beignets in an air fryer.
Store leftover beignets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
