Beignet
A French term for fried dough or fritters, best known in the United States as the square, pillowy doughnut of New Orleans covered in powdered sugar.
- Cakes, cookies, pastries and baked goods
- France
New Orleans beignets are made from a soft yeast dough rolled out and cut into squares. They puff up dramatically in hot oil, forming a hollow center, and are buried under powdered sugar while warm. They are traditionally served with café au lait.
In France, beignet covers many fried sweets, from yeasted doughnuts filled with jam to choux pastry puffs and fruit dipped in batter. All are best eaten fresh and hot, since they lose their crispness quickly.
Bake it at VanillaGoods
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RecipeBeignets de Carnaval (Alsatian Jam-Filled Doughnuts)4 hr 5 min · Makes 16 doughnuts -
RecipeNew Orleans-Style Beignets3 hr 45 min · Makes 24 beignets
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Sources
Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
- Guide to Beignets | Explore Louisiana, Louisiana Office of Tourism (Explore Louisiana)