Air-Fried Beignets: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Beignets are a beloved French pastry, typically deep-fried, that can be made in an air fryer. This healthier alternative to the traditional method of cooking beignets still results in a delicious, fluffy, and crispy pastry. The dough is made with a combination of flour, sugar, yeast, milk, butter, and eggs, and is then air-fried to golden perfection. The air fryer beignets are best served hot and can be enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet breakfast treat, paired with a cup of coffee or a hot beverage.

Choosing the right ingredients

First, you will need a base for your beignets. Traditional beignet recipes use a yeast dough, which gives them their characteristic puffy texture. To make a yeast dough, you will need ingredients such as all-purpose flour, sugar, yeast, and milk. The milk should be warmed to a temperature of around 100-110°F, as this helps to activate the yeast and ensure your beignets rise properly. You can also add an egg and some butter to the dough for richness and flavour. If you don't want to use a yeast dough, an alternative option is to use puff pastry, which is made with layers of butter and flour and will give your beignets a flaky texture.

Once you have chosen your base, there are a few other key ingredients you will need. One important ingredient is a type of fat or oil for frying. Since you are using an air fryer, you don't need to use a large amount of oil, but a light coating of cooking spray or melted butter will help to prevent your beignets from sticking to the air fryer basket and give them a golden, crispy exterior. Another essential ingredient is powdered sugar or confectioners' sugar, which is used to dust the beignets once they are cooked. This gives them their signature sweet coating and completes the classic beignet experience.

Finally, there are a few optional ingredients you may want to consider adding to enhance the flavour and appearance of your beignets. A pinch of salt and some vanilla extract can enhance the sweetness of the other ingredients, while cinnamon or other spices can add a depth of flavour. You can also experiment with fillings and dips, such as Nutella, jam, chocolate sauce, or caramel sauce.

With the right combination of ingredients, you can create delicious, fluffy beignets in your air fryer that rival those from any New Orleans café!

Preparing the dough

• Flour
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Milk
• Butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Begin by combining the yeast, sugar, and milk in the bowl of a stand mixer. Set this aside for at least 5 minutes. The yeast will begin to bloom and the mixture will become very foamy on top.

In a separate bowl, melt the butter and combine it with the eggs and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined.

Next, add the flour, sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture in the stand mixer. Mix on low speed until the ingredients are combined. Then, increase the speed to medium-high and mix until a smooth dough forms. This should take about 3-5 minutes. If mixing by hand, use a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients and then knead the dough by hand.

Once the dough has come together, form it into a ball and transfer it to a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This should take about 1 hour.

After the dough has risen, transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough out into a rectangle and then cut it into strips. Cut the strips into squares, creating the individual beignets.

The dough is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer!

Shaping the beignets

Firstly, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. This will make it easier to handle and prevent sticking. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to a desired thickness. For beignets, a slightly thicker dough is preferable, so aim for around a quarter-inch to half-inch thickness.

Next, decide on the shape of your beignets. Traditional beignets are often rectangular or square in shape. To achieve this, use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into strips, and then into individual squares. Aim for uniformity in size so that they cook evenly. Alternatively, you can use a round cookie cutter to cut out circular beignets.

If you are using a puff pastry sheet, allow it to come to room temperature first. Then, cut the sheet along the creases to create horizontal and vertical strips, forming squares.

Once you have cut out your beignet shapes, it is important to handle them with care. Place them gently into the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the beignets in batches.

Before cooking, brush the tops of the beignets lightly with melted butter. This step is optional but will give your beignets a golden, crispy exterior and enhance their flavour.

Now your beignets are shaped and ready for the air fryer! Follow the cooking instructions, and then enjoy your freshly made, delicious beignets.

Air-frying technique

Air-frying beignets is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, and they taste just as good. The air fryer also reduces the hassle of heating oil and dealing with the mess of splattered grease.

Ingredients:

• Milk
• Active dry yeast
• Eggs
• Butter
• Sugar (granulated and/or powdered)
• Flour (all-purpose)
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• Cooking spray

Optional ingredients:

• Baking powder
• Water

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a small bowl, combine the milk, sugar, and yeast. Whisk together and let the yeast bloom for about 10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes foamy. In a separate bowl, melt the butter and combine it with the eggs and vanilla. Add the yeast mixture to the flour, sugar, and salt in a stand mixer. Then, mix in the egg and butter mixture. Continue mixing until a smooth dough forms.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Shape the dough into a ball and transfer it to a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This should take about 1 hour.

Step 3: Cut the Dough

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out. You can cut the dough into rectangles using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, or use a round cookie cutter for a different shape.

Step 4: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 375°F. Coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Air Fry the Beignets

Place the beignets in the air fryer, leaving space between them. Brush the tops of the beignets with melted butter for a golden exterior and richer flavour. Air fry for about 6 minutes, or until they are puffed and golden brown. Check on them halfway through and brush with more butter if needed.

Step 6: Dust with Powdered Sugar

Remove the beignets from the air fryer and dust them with powdered sugar. Serve warm, and enjoy!

Tips:

• Choose a warm place for the dough to rise, about 75°F. Some good spots include inside the oven with the light on, in a proofing drawer, by a sunny window, or on top of the refrigerator.
• If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the beignets in batches.
• For an extra crispy texture, brush the beignets with butter before cooking.

Serving suggestions

Beignets are a beloved café pastry, traditionally eaten at breakfast, or as a snack, dessert, or late-night sweet treat. They are typically deep-fried, but air-fried beignets are a healthier option that lets you enjoy the same flavour and texture without all the oil.

Air-fried beignets are best served hot, so it is recommended to serve each batch right out of the air fryer while making the next. They can be served with a cup of coffee or cafe au lait, or with a hot beverage or an espresso martini. For an indulgent touch, add a drizzle of chocolate ganache or chocolate syrup. The beignets are also wonderful for dipping in dark roast coffee, as the sugar balances out the coffee.

Air-fried beignets can also be dipped and dunked in melted chocolate, caramel sauce, Greek yogurt, or a hot cup of coffee. Instead of powdered sugar, they can be lightly coated with a cinnamon and sugar mixture. They can also be filled with piped filling such as Nutella or jam before coating with powdered sugar.

Frequently asked questions