Fried Croissant Beignets (2024)

Fried Croissant Beignets

We first saw Fried Croissant Beignets a while ago on Instagram. The king of croissants, Cédric Grolet, was making them, and we immediately felt intrigued to try them at home. Sure, his desserts are spectacular and feel almost out of reach, but we love a good fried doughnut, so it was worth trying. While we were testing a different recipe for the Carnival (Mardi Gras) season, we jokingly made a croissant-shaped doughnuts or beignets and fell in love with it. The golden fried exterior, the soft and fluffy interior. There is so much flavor, and the shape is so gorgeous. All that was missing was a generous filling of our favorite chocolate spread and a magnificent cinnamon sugar coating. You guys, this one is a keeper and so worth trying at home.

Sponsored

Fried Croissant Beignets

We love Mardi Gras recipes. Doughnuts are my all-time favorite dessert, and now we're adding these Fried Croissant Beignets to the list.The kids adored these and continually asked when we would make them again.

  • gorgeous golden brown exterior and fluffy and light interior
  • fill them with your favorite filling; we adore the chocolate spread
  • they are best the same or the next day
  • kids and adults love them
  • a different and unique recipe for the Carnival season
  • the perfect recipe for those who like a challenge

Fried Croissant Beignets (1)

Fried Croissant Beignets (2)

Tips and tricks to makeFried Croissant Beignet

Sure, this recipe takes some time and skills, but we are confident you can make it, especially with these tips.

  1. Always use a stand mixer (or a hand mixer) fitted with a dough hook.If you want to achieve the same elasticity and the same dough texture by hand, you need to knead it for at least 15 minutes with additional proofing in between.
  2. The proofing room temperature should be between 20 - 25°C / 68 - 77°F.This is the perfect temperature for consistent proofing.
  3. When the beignets are proofing for the second time, their volume should triple in size.It's essential to leave the beignets proof long enough for the best result.
  4. The oil temperature should be 170 - 180°C / 340 - 355 °F.Use a thermometer to make sure. If you don't have one at home, you can do a quick frying test with a wooden spoon. Place the end of a wooden spoon into the oil. If the oil starts to bubble around the spoon after three seconds, then the oil is ready for frying.
  5. Fry the beignets gradually. Don't overcrowd the pan, but don't fry only one or two at once.For the best result, fry around 4 beignetsat once, depending on the size of the pan.

Fried Croissant Beignets (3)

Fried Croissant Beignets (4)

Storing

It's best to serve these Fried Croissant Beignets the same day, but they will also be delicious the next day.Store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

How to make Fried Croissant Beignet at home(video)

Check this quick video to master making Fried Croissant Beignetsat home.

Next, try these delicious fried desserts

  • Doughnuts with Jam
  • Doughnuts with Rich Vanilla Cream
  • Angel Wings Pastry
  • Yogurt Sweet Fritters
  • Sweet Lemon Ricotta Fritters
  • Fried Apple Pies
  • Beignets with Cinnamon Sugar

Lets get cooking!

ONLY A FEW MOMENTS SPENT IN THE KITCHEN AND YOU WILL HAVE THIS FANTASTIC DISH IN FRONT OF YOU.

METHOD

  • MAKE THE YEAST MIXTURE

    Combine lukewarm milk, water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Stir and set aside for 10 minutes.

    Tip

    The water and milk temperature should be around 30 - 35°C or 85 - 95°F.

  • DOUGH

    Add flour, eggs, egg yolk, rum (optional), salt, and the yeast mixture to a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Feel free to use a hand-held electric mixer fitted with two dough hooks. Start kneading on low, set the stand mixer to medium speed, and knead for about 6 - 8 minutes or until the dough is elastic, smooth, and easily separates from the bowl. Add the butter and knead for another 3 - 4 minutes for the butter to incorporate into the dough and separate from the bowl easily.

  • first proofing

    Cover the bowl with the dough with clingfilm and leave to rise at room temperature (20 - 25°C / 68 - 77°F) until visibly increased, for about 1 hour, then transfer the dough to the fridge for 30 minutes for easier shaping.

  • shaping and second proofing

    Lightly dust a large baking sheet with flour. Roll the dough into a 20 cm x 60 cm (8 x 24 inch) rectangle. Cut into approx. Sixteen triangles, each measuring approx. 8 cm x 25 cm (3 inch x 10 inch). Roll each triangle into a croissant, starting at the thickest part of the dough. Place the croissants onto the prepared baking sheet. Cover them with a kitchen towel. Lightly sprinkle the towel with water. Leave them to rise at room temperature for about 1 - 1 1/2 hours or until they triple in size.

    Tip

    The croissants must jiggle when you shake the baking sheet lightly after proofing. Then, they are ready for frying.

  • frying

    Place a large pan (with a lid) over medium heat. Add the oil and wait until the oil reaches 170 - 180°C / 340 - 355 °F. Lightly dust your spatula with flour and carefully pick one beignet. Turn it around in your hands so the seam looks up, and gently drop it into the oil. Add about 3 - 4 more doughnuts, depending on the pan size. The croissant beignets should have space to move, but not too much. Shake the pan slightly to distribute the croissant beignets. Cover with a lid and fry for 3 minutes, then remove the lid, turn the beignets, and fry for another 3 minutes (uncovered). Transfer the beignets onto a paper towel-lined wire rack. Repeat the process until you fry all the beignets.

  • sprinkle and serve

    Make the dusting. On a deep plate, stir to combine both sugars and cinnamon powder. Coat the fried croissant beignets in the mixture. Feel free to serve them without a filling, but we adore filling them with chocolate spread. To fill them, use a small kitchen knife or scissors and make a small incision in the bottom of each croissant, then fill them using a pastry bag.

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Fried Croissant Beignets (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a doughnut and a beignet? ›

Donuts Are Denser

The texture of donuts and beignets is different due to the ingredients used. While both of these pastries fall on the side of light and fluffy, donuts are typically more dense than beignets. This is in part because of the difference in the dough; donuts aren't made with choux pastry like beignets.

What is the difference between French beignets and New Orleans beignets? ›

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.

What is a benjay? ›

Beignet (/ˈbɛnjeɪ/ BEN-yay, also US: /beɪnˈjeɪ, bɛnˈjeɪ/ bayn-YAY, ben-YAY, French: [bɛɲɛ]; lit. 'bump') is a type of deep-fried pastry of French origin. It is commonly made from pâte à choux, but can also be made using rice flour (rice beignets) or yeast-leavened batters.

Are beignets just funnel cake? ›

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.

What is the English name for beignet? ›

a fritter or doughnut.

What city is famous for beignets? ›

Beignets, or pockets of fried dough served with powdered sugar, are an iconic New Orleans treat.

What is the Spanish version of beignets? ›

BASIC SOPAIPILLA RECIPE - If you love beignets, funnel cakes, or buñuelos, you will love Sopaipillas. Sopaipillas (or sopapillas) are easy to make, with simple pantry ingredients! Serve them as a dessert with a dusting of cinnamon-sugar or a drizzle of honey or stuff them with savory fillings for a complete meal.

Why are my beignets not fluffy? ›

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.

Why are beignets sold in threes? ›

You might be wondering, why are beignets served in threes? This tradition varies from place to place, but many believe it's simply because three is the perfect number for a satisfying treat!

What is a croissant donut called? ›

The Cronut (a portmanteau of croissant and doughnut) is a pastry created and trademarked in 2013 by the French pastry chef Dominique Ansel. It resembles a doughnut and is made from croissant-like dough filled with flavored cream and fried in grapeseed oil.

Do you eat beignets for breakfast? ›

As noted above, Beignets are a classic French breakfast staple that is growing in popularity all over! But as many people have found out, these irresistible square pastries are more than just a breakfast pairing — they are also perfect for dessert and a late-night snack!

What is the most famous dessert in New Orleans? ›

Beignets were first introduced to the city by the French-Creole colonists in the 18th century. The concept is simple – dough is fried then covered with mounds of powdered sugar – but the result is extraordinary.

What is the difference between a beignet and a Beigne? ›

'Donut' borrows directly from American cuisine emphasizing shape and style; 'beignet' offers a broad category for fried dough treats regardless of form; and 'beigne', rooted in Canadian French, reflects the general concept of a doughnut but includes variations specific to Canadian preferences.

Are beignets supposed to be doughy in the middle? ›

Are beignets supposed to be doughy? On the inside, beignets should be light and fluffy, like a regular fried doughnut. If your final product is doughy, the oil might have been too cool when you added the beignets, causing them to absorb oil and become doughy.

What makes a beignet different? ›

Beignets are different than doughnuts in a few ways. First, the dough is made with a single rise. This creates a chewy texture rather than a fluffy one. Because of this, the doughnuts taste best hot from the fryer.

What is a donut called in New Orleans? ›

What is a beignet? Beignets were first introduced to the city by the French-Creole colonists in the 18th century. The concept is simple – dough is fried then covered with mounds of powdered sugar – but the result is extraordinary.

Are Malasadas and beignets the same? ›

Beignets are commonly made of pâte à choux (the type of dough used to make eclairs) that is cut into squares and fried. Malasadas, with their eggy, yeasted dough, are more similar to the German doughnuts known as Berliners, save for the fact that Berliners are filled with jelly.

What is special about beignets? ›

Beignets are a special part of breakfasts and brunches all over New Orleans. Though there are variations on recipes, they are typically made from pâte à choux, a delicate pastry dough. Beignets are known for their light, fluffy inside and golden brown, crispy outside.

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