Beignets: pillowy billowy French doughnuts

beignets French doughnuts

Where Can I Get it?  |  How Can I Make It?

What is a beignet? 

A beignet (pronounced: ben-YAY) is a French-style doughnut made out of choux pastry or yeast dough that looks like a small pillow covered with powdered sugar.  Due to their deep-fried, sugary nature; beignets are one of those foods that you may want to limit to special occasions.  One of the most appropriate times of the year to enjoy these billowy delights is during Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) because it is synonymous with New Orleans and became the official state doughnut of Louisiana in 1986.  

Where can I get it?  

The one place everyone needs to get a beignet is at the legendary “Cafe du Monde” in the French Market of New Orleans, which is open 24 hours a day. It’s been around since 1862 and has been featured in many films and TV shows as a regional landmark.

cafe du monde day outside

However, if you can’t get to NOLA anytime soon, you might want to check out one of these other places that are also well-known for their beignets…

Chicago, IL: Big Jones

photo: Big Jones on Facebook

New York, NY (Upper East Side): Infirmary

photo: Infirmary on Facebook

San Diego, CA: Bud’s Louisiana Cafe

photo:  Bud’s Louisiana Cafe on Facebook

San Francisco, CA: Just For You Cafe

photo:  Just For You Cafe on Facebook

Looking for more places that serve beignets?  You can find them on Glutto right here.   

How can I make it? 

Beignets are quick to make to make and require just a few basic ingredients to get going.  For the most authentic New Orleans beignets, we recommend this recipe that you can also save on Glutto… Special Tools (optional, but recommended by Cafe du Monde)

Ingredients

Directions – makes 2 dozen

  1. Combine 2 cups of beignet mix and water; mix with a spoon to create dough
  2. On a floured surface, flatten/roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness and cut into 2 1/4 in squares
  3. Heat 2 inches of oil in skillet to 370°F
  4. Fry squares of dough (baste both sides) until puffy and golden brown; drain well on paper towel
  5. Cover generously with powdered sugar and enjoy!

For more tips on how to make the perfect beignets, visit Cafe du Monde’s tips page.  

Hello! I'm Kristina

Kristina Reynolds is the Founder & CEO of Glutto and an alumna of the University of California, San Diego. She writes articles & posts for Glutto Digest with insights from fellow industry experts. Furthermore, she is the author of The Fittest Food Lovers: How EVERY BODY Can be Incredibly Fit and Still Enjoy Food, a collaborative philanthropic book with proceeds going to charities that fight world hunger.