Air Fryer Beignets Recipe: New Orleans Beignets (2024)

FAQs

Can you use Cafe du Monde beignet mix in an air fryer? ›

Preheat the air fryer at 400°f for 5 minutes. Dip each dough piece in melted butter then place in the basket. Drop the temp down to 375°f and bake for 3 minutes. Flip the beignets & bake 3 more minutes.

The difference between classic French beignets and the New Orleans-style fritters seen can be found in the preparation of the dough. The former is made from pâte à choux, while those from the Big Easy are made from leavened dough that's cut into squares and fried until crispy on the outside and airy within.

Do not add too many pieces to the oil or else the oil temperature will drop and your beignets will be fry up flat. They will not puff up. The only other reason the dough does not puff up would be if you rolled the beignet dough too flat. Try rolling the dough a little thicker.

The Café Du Monde beignet is a square piece of dough, always fried in cottonseed oil and lavishly covered with powdered sugar. A plate of three is served for less than $3.

Recipes that use a wet batter, including fried chicken, will end up being very messy if cooked in an air fryer. This is because there won't be enough hot oil to set the batter, and it will likely drip everywhere rather than forming a crunchy coating.

Why are my beignets raw in the middle? Oil that's too hot will quickly brown the beignets before the centers have a chance to cook. Make sure to check your oil temperature, and reduce the heat if your beignets are browning too quickly.

Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter is the oldest and most iconic beignet shop, but several other cafes have become local favorites such as Cafe Beignet and Loretta's Authentic Pralines for their praline-filled beignets. See a full list of place to grab New Orleans beignets below.

The texture of a good beignet is also juicier and the individual doughs balls are less splintered than the funnels of a funnel cake. A beignet looks more similar to a powdered donut than a funnel cake.

And as for the dessert it's famous for, let me tell you about the joy of a freshly fried batch of beignets. If you're wondering what the heck a beignet is, let us enlighten you: It's a fried square of dough that is hollow on the inside, perfectly chewy on the outside, and traditionally dusted with powdered sugar.

At that time, beignets were generally called “French Market doughnuts,” something Fernandez rectified in 1958 when he rebranded them “beignets.” Asked why beignets are always served in threes, Roman had a very simple explanation: “My grandfather always sold them in threes, so that is what we still do today.”

What is the best oil to fry beignets in? ›

If you want to prepare the dough ahead of time, you can do a slow rise in the refrigerator overnight. Then you can roll it out and cut the beignets. Since the dough will be cold, let the cut beignets come to room temp for about 30 minutes before frying.

We DO NOT recommend using our mix after the best by date.

A yeast dough will produce a lighter and sweeter beignet than a basic white flour dough, which many recipes recommend. Cafe du Monde uses multiple flours in their mix, including rye flour, and they aren't willing to share the exact mix and proportions in their recipe.

Checked Bags: Yes

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage.

Yes, you can! I love using my airfryer as a healthier option for making battered fish or chicken. Many websites will tell you that you have to use a dry coating (I have a method for that too) but with a few tricks, you can make a wet batter that is super crispy and keeps the meat moist.

Beignets really are best served fresh, but if you have any leftover you can keep them in an airtight container on the counter for 2-3 days or even freeze them for 1-2 months. Reheat the beignets in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or in the oven at 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes to serve them warm.

However, a small amount of oil is usually necessary to achieve a crispy texture. A drizzle or a quick oil spray is all you need for restaurant-quality fries and golden brown fried chicken, while other foods don't need any oil, like pizza or leftovers you might reheat.