These Vanilla French Beignets are soft, golden, and dusted generously with powdered sugar for that classic café-style finish. Light and fluffy with a subtle vanilla aroma, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon treat with coffee or hot cocoa. This easy homemade beignet recipe comes together in under an hour (including rise time), giving you bakery-quality pastries right in your own kitchen. Once you try these warm, pillowy bites, they’ll quickly become a weekend favorite.
table of contents
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 12 beignets
- Course: Breakfast, Brunch
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients List
- 1½ cups warm water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup evaporated milk (or regular milk)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 7 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Vegetable or canola oil (for frying)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Deep pot or Dutch oven
- Kitchen thermometer (to monitor 350°F oil)
- Slotted spoon
- Cooling rack
- Paper towels
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
1️⃣ Activate the Yeast
In a large bowl, whisk warm water, sugar, and yeast.
Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy. If it doesn’t foam, start over with fresh yeast.
2️⃣ Make the Dough
Add egg, milk, salt, butter, and vanilla extract.
Gradually mix in flour until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead for 8–10 minutes (mixer) or 10–12 minutes (by hand) until smooth and elastic.
Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1½ hours until doubled in size.
3️⃣ Roll & Cut
Punch down dough.
Roll to ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
Cut into 2–3 inch squares.
4️⃣ Fry to Golden Perfection 🔥
Heat oil in deep pot to 350°F (175°C).
Carefully fry beignets 1–2 minutes per side, until golden brown.
Use slotted spoon to remove and drain on paper towels.
5️⃣ Dust & Serve ✨
Dust generously with powdered sugar while still warm so it sticks beautifully.
Serve immediately.
Pro Tips
- Oil Temperature Matters: Keep oil at 350°F for even cooking.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Fry in small batches.
- Flavor Twist: Add lemon zest or a pinch of nutmeg.
- Best Fresh: Beignets are best enjoyed warm the same day.
Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 beignet | 250 | 5g | 35g | 10g | 1g | 12g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary depending on ingredient brands and preparation.
Vanilla French Beignets
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Mix and knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
- Cover dough and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1–1 1/2 hours.
- Roll dough to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into squares.
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry beignets in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 1–2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- Dust generously with powdered sugar and serve warm.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
These Vanilla French Beignets deliver that classic bakery experience at home. Soft, fluffy, and lightly sweet with a vanilla aroma, they’re the ultimate treat for weekend mornings or special brunch gatherings.