Happy Mardis Gras day!
Even though I’m not from New Orleans, growing up in the South we always did a little something special on Mardis Gras day. That something special ranged from making beignets and watching Muzzy in high school French class to wearing beads and drinking beer in college. And you know what? Over the years, I’ve discovered that I much prefer dessert over beer. Especially beignets!
And it just so happens that these beignets are special. You know why? Because unlike the normal deep fried fritters, these guys are much lighter and actually baked in the oven.
What a concept! They kinda remind me of these. And these. Except a teeny bit doughier. More like a sweet roll that fell in love with a powdered sugar doughnut hole. Got it?
Although these beignets contain yeast, I promise it’s not scary. They go from bowl to mouth in an hour flat and only require an extra short rising time, due to the fact that they also contain baking powder.
I was going to make some sort of salted caramel or chocolate sauce to drizzle on, but after one powdered sugar covered bite, I realized I didn’t have to. Can you even believe that?! They are absolutely perfect on their own and could even be part of a dinner bread basket because they really aren’t too sweet.
This is a great recipe to unleash your inner baker goddess on. Especially if working with yeast makes you nervous! What better way to get more comfortable baking than with making soft, fluffy, powdered sugar covered French doughnuts?
Oven Baked Beignets
ever so slightly adapted from Good Housekeeping
makes about 18 beignets
Ingredients:
1/4 cup warm water (about 100 degrees F)
1 packet active dry yeast
3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup sugar
5 T cold butter, cut into small chunks
1 egg
3/4 cup buttermilk
Directions:
Combine the yeast, warm water and a pinch of the sugar in a small bowl and set aside for five minutes. The water will start to look foamy and bubble a little bit. That’s normal.
Meanwhile, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Using your fingers, cut in the butter and work mixture together until it resembles coarse sand.
Mix together the egg and the buttermilk. Add to yeast and then add to dry ingredients. Stir together to form a soft dough and then continue to knead (or use your Kitchen Aid) until dough becomes smooth and elastic. If using a Kitchen Aid, keep your speed on medium and beat with paddle attachment (or dough hook) for 6-8 minutes until smooth. If using your hands, make sure you are working on a lightly floured surface. The dough will feel smooth like pizza dough when it’s done.
Spray a bowl with cooking spray and drop in your dough ball. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes. Then, roll out dough into a large rectangle or square on a floured surface. Cut square into five long strips and then cut those strips into squares. Place squares on a lined baking sheet, spray with cooking spray and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake beignets for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden. Dust with powdered sugar and eat warm.
Time:
1 hour
**To learn more about working with yeast, read this.
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
March 8, 2011 at 5:01 amOh my gosh these look heavenly! I’ve only had beignets one time when I was in New Orleans at the famous Cafe du Monde. A baked version sounds fabulous!!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
March 8, 2011 at 5:02 amThese look heavenly! I’ve only had beignets once, at the famous Cafe du Monde in New Orleans. This baked version looks incredible!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
March 8, 2011 at 5:16 amthat’s it – i’m making these tonight. even though they contain yeast it’s still easier than trying to deep-fry the cafe du monde version i have in my pantry!
Jennifer
March 8, 2011 at 5:28 amI wish I was a boy and could date you … lol
Jessica @ How Sweet
March 8, 2011 at 5:33 amI’ve never had a beignet. I know… it’s sad. Maybe today is the day.
The Blue-Eyed Bakers
March 8, 2011 at 5:36 amA beignet we don’t need to whip out the deep fryer for?! Yayayay!!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
March 8, 2011 at 5:36 amI had no idea what a beignet was until I read this post. Now I know, and based on your photos, I’d be willing to bet that they’re delicious!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
March 8, 2011 at 5:39 amI love beignet’s! These look delicious đ
VeggieGirl
March 8, 2011 at 5:55 amPERFECT Mardi Gras treat!
Katrina
March 8, 2011 at 6:00 amThese look absolutely lovely! Great recipe đ
nelly
March 8, 2011 at 6:03 amwow! these are amazing. i am definitely making them!!!
thanks for the recipe…<3
The Newlywed Chefs
March 8, 2011 at 6:04 amHow perfect for the occasion! Yum!
Amanda @ Martinis At Six
March 8, 2011 at 6:06 amWhat a great idea! I’ve never thought of oven baking beignets, so I’ve just been avoiding them. If it weren’t “Paczki Day” here in the North (Midwest? Or maybe it’s just a Detroit thing? Note to self: become more worldly) I would make them tonight. I’m afraid I’ll be overdoing it on those jelly-filled donuts that are so famous here today though.
Jillian @ Reshape Your Life
March 8, 2011 at 6:07 amOh wow! We are having crawfish in celebration, but those would be AMAZING as a dessert afterward… Want to come to our party?? đ
jenna
March 8, 2011 at 9:44 amyes! I’ll be right over! đ
rebecca lustig
March 8, 2011 at 6:10 amI had no idea that kind of treat was called a beignet. Learn something new everyday!
Daisy
March 8, 2011 at 6:18 amHappy Mardi Gras!! I prefer beer over dessert but I’d happily take one of these and wash it down WITH a beer đ
brandi
March 8, 2011 at 6:19 amGoodness. I’ve never even had REAL beignets (never been to New Orleans), but these look delicious! My husband has had the real ones, but I have a feeling he would love these, too đ
Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete
March 8, 2011 at 6:34 amThe only time I’ve had these have been at Cafe du Monde, and I loved them. I can’t wait to try these!!
Natalie @ Will Jog For Food
March 8, 2011 at 6:34 amI love beignets!! You can see by my picture… it’s me chowing down in New Orleans at Cafe Du Monde đ
Jenny
March 8, 2011 at 6:40 amYUMMMMMMMMY.
Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food
March 8, 2011 at 6:43 amThese look so yummy! Happy Mardi Gras!!!
Mary (Sisters running the kitchen)
March 8, 2011 at 6:44 amI’ve never had Beignets before. These look amazingly doughy and delicious! Wish I could steal one right off the screen!
Hannah (Culture Connoisseur)
March 8, 2011 at 6:59 amI remember the first time I tried a beignet. I was about 7 years old on a trip to New Orleans and we stopped in at Cafe Du Monde. They are delicious and addicting. Hope these come close! Much healthier this way.
Cristin
March 8, 2011 at 7:01 amThese look delicious. I’m from Louisiana and coffee and beignets are basically a food group! Love that you have a Cafe Du Monde canister in the background-nice touch!
Happy Mardi Gras!
Jackie
March 8, 2011 at 7:03 amI really want to make these!!! One of my favorite meals in New Orleans was at Cafe du Monde…their coffee and beignets are awesome! (not as awesome for the scale, but who cares, I was in New Orleans!!!)
Carpensm @ A Life Without Ice Cream
March 8, 2011 at 7:09 amReading this post ACTUALLY made my mouth water! Yum yum!
I might have to make a batch of these to bring in for my coworkers… couldn’t trust a whole batch of these in my house… bad things would happen đ
kate@ahealthypassion
March 8, 2011 at 7:18 amomg these look amazing, Ive only fried never baked beignets before I do happen to have a can of cafe du monde coffee at home so I think beignet baking might be in order today. Thanks for the recipe!
Holly@Chunky Monkey
March 8, 2011 at 7:20 amHappy Fat Tuesday! the beignets looks delish!
Camille
March 8, 2011 at 7:22 amThese are absolutely gorgeous! They look like something that would be served at a tea party đ
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
March 8, 2011 at 7:24 amPlease send some this way!
Andrea @ CanYouStayForDinner.com
March 8, 2011 at 7:25 amWhat a great idea! Thanks for sharing đ
cathyb.@brightbakes
March 8, 2011 at 7:25 amI’m always excited to stumble across treats like this where I don’t have to mess with frying things. But that I still get to eat things that taste like a doughnut!! đ
cathy b.
Heather
March 8, 2011 at 7:38 amAWW Beignets! THis brings me back to my childhood visiting my God Mother in New Orleans and getting beignets with chocolate milk, nothing better! I agree with only the powdered sugar, simple is so much better!
jenna
March 8, 2011 at 9:13 amyum! beignets with chocolate milk sounds divine right now.
megan @ whatmegansmaking
March 8, 2011 at 7:39 ambeautiful pictures Jenna! I’ve never had before, but they look so pretty đ
dani
March 8, 2011 at 7:43 amI’ve always wanted to try beignets! And visit NOLA!
Brooke @ bittersweetb
March 8, 2011 at 8:15 amWhat a cool idea Jenna! Hurray for fat Tuesday!
Baking N Books
March 8, 2011 at 8:29 amNever had these. Sound very French.
Yes -it’s Pancake Tuesday! ….Hmmm – excuse for pancakes….
Pancake post?!!!! đ
Kiran
March 8, 2011 at 8:36 amI need to try this version instead of normal deep fry. Looks yummy đ
Melinda
March 8, 2011 at 8:38 amMan I feel like the only person that’s never been to Cafe du Monde!! I need to get on that stat, and try a beignet! Then my life might be more complete.. lol
Christine
March 8, 2011 at 8:43 amWow, these look UNreal!!! I love beignets, especially with chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla sauces to dip. These look amazing and I love that there’s no need to brave the deep-fryer for them. Thanks Jenna!
Christine
March 8, 2011 at 8:44 amWow these look UNreal!!! I love beignets, especially with chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla sauces to dip them in. These look amazing and I love that you don’t have to brave the deep fryer to make them! Thanks Jenna!
kate
March 8, 2011 at 8:47 amThese look delightful. I have a soft spot for powdered sugar.
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
March 8, 2011 at 8:50 amdare i say these look even better than the fried version!? we have a bunch waiting in our kitchen right now for today’s potluck. i may have to indulge after reading this!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
March 8, 2011 at 8:55 amThese look fantastic! I’ve only had beignets once–at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans–but, as Uncle Jesse would say, Have Mercy!
jenna
March 8, 2011 at 9:43 amThank you for bringing Uncle Jesse into this! I miss him.
Natalia - a side of simple
March 8, 2011 at 8:58 amDessert trumps beer. Always. That’s a fact. I’m willing to prove it by making these đ
Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day
March 8, 2011 at 9:46 amThese look great! If I wasn’t sick with a cold that has killed my taste buds I think I would make them!
jenna
March 8, 2011 at 9:52 ami was thinking about how much i would die for some beignets today…then i was reading through the comments and i was thinking how much i would die for some unlce jessie…eh guess beignets win for today!
thanks for a healthier version of one of my favorite treats! đ
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
March 8, 2011 at 9:55 amI’ve never had a beignets, and I will never had a truly authentic one (darn gluten), but they look fabulous!!!
Briana @ The Triple Dish
March 8, 2011 at 10:37 amThese look fantastic! What a great way to make you feel like Cafe Du Monde! Now if I can only get someone to make me a hurricane đ
Kristy
March 8, 2011 at 10:37 amI’ve never had beignets but they look amazing!
Fuji Mama
March 8, 2011 at 10:54 amHave you been reading my mind? I was just thinking yesterday that someone needed to come up with a fabulous baked beignet recipe, and here you are! These look delicious and I CANNOT wait to try them!
Brian @ A Thought For Food
March 8, 2011 at 10:57 amWhat a way to celebrate Mardi Gras! I’ve never had these baked, but they look delightful!
dee
March 8, 2011 at 10:58 amoh my.! these look SO good!
Kathy - Panini Happy
March 8, 2011 at 11:08 amWhat a fabulous concept! I recently had some beignets at a local restaurant with a spicy gianduja chocolate sauce. Now you’re inspiring me to give them a try at home.
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite
March 8, 2011 at 11:14 amOh my, those look light, airy and all around fantastic! I love the simplicity of the powdered sugar. Gorgeous!
Jennifer (Savor)
March 8, 2011 at 11:39 amOkay, now you really made me want to go back to New Orleans!!!
Kati @ Living Well
March 8, 2011 at 12:11 pmI think I could handle those! Bring on the yeast! :> ha ha.
HeatherChristo
March 8, 2011 at 12:22 pmgorgeous! I would love to try these!
mitzi @ my nikon eats food
March 8, 2011 at 12:23 pmdoes it matter if the butter is salted or unsalted? if using salted, should we still put in the 1tsp salt? thanks =) i think i need to make these, so i must know.
jenna
March 8, 2011 at 12:28 pmif you use salted, I would reduce the amount of salt to 1/2 tsp
Katie @ peacebeme
March 8, 2011 at 12:34 pmI have never had a beignet. Your version looks amazing!
Emma (Namaste Everyday)
March 8, 2011 at 12:34 pmooooh this is so exciting! they don’t celebrate mardi gras here in New Zealand (my American roommate and I were bummed when we realized we didn’t even know the day had come!) thanks for the recipes, it’ll be festive!
Lindsey@ Lindselicious
March 8, 2011 at 12:35 pmThese are awesome! They look so light and airy for being baked. I need to stop and get some buttermilk so I can make these ASAP!
Laura @ prettylittlewords
March 8, 2011 at 12:49 pmOh. Mah. Gosh.
YUM.
Michelle | gold-hearted girl
March 8, 2011 at 12:55 pmOh my goodness, those are pretty! Perfect little puffy (square, hah) clouds!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
March 8, 2011 at 1:00 pmOh Jenna, these look amazing!
I admit yeast, dough, things rising…I am scared of it!
“They go from bowl to mouth in an hour flat and only require an extra short rising time”–that’s reassuring. Thank you!
đ
Jen
March 8, 2011 at 1:12 pmGirl, I would definitely take one of your beignets over a beer! And now that you’ve posted this recipe, I feel obligated to make them for my brother. He loves beignets!
Carlee
March 8, 2011 at 1:25 pmThese look yummy! I know what I am baking this weekend.
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather
March 8, 2011 at 1:27 pmThose look like heavenly light fluffy dough pillows. Less than an hour?! That’s amazing and delicious! I just want to take a bite.
Sammy
March 8, 2011 at 3:44 pmMUUZZZZYYYYY!!!! je suis la jeune fille!!! I don’t even know what that means but dug that infomercial!!
Lisa (Dishes of Mrs. Fish)
March 8, 2011 at 3:50 pmThese beignets look amazing!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie
March 8, 2011 at 5:19 pmmy husband will remarry me after I make these for him. He’s in love with beignets and I have never made them before! Thank you thank you thank you.
btw, we are currently married and happy. haha.
Marisa
March 8, 2011 at 6:07 pmThese are in the oven right now. I am so full from Jambalaya, but I will power through a beignet! It is definitely Fat Tuesday in our house.
Megan@Dirty Dishes Daily
March 8, 2011 at 6:30 pmMouth Watering!!!
jenna
March 8, 2011 at 8:10 pmI just got back from New Orleans tonight. We had beignets and coffee Saturday morning at Cafe du Monde and again Sunday after a night of drinking. Delicious!
Katherine: Unemployed
March 9, 2011 at 3:27 amHey! These look great. I’m going to plagiarize and say “drooling over you!” (title of your last post). Not to be tacky or a self promoter (oh wait, that is exactly what I’m being) but I just posted about starbucks offering some free sweets and I think it’s something you should check out. They have these petites that are new; treat yourself!
KRISTY
March 9, 2011 at 4:51 amLAST WEEK WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVEN HEARD OF THESE! WE JUST LEARNED HOW TO MAKE THEM WITH A PATE A CHOUX PRODUCT IN CLASS – BUT YEAST RISEN? OMG! I NEED TO TRY THIS…. LIKE NOW đ
Mckenzie
March 9, 2011 at 8:27 amThese look amazing!! I definitely want to try them with salted caramel:)
Sara C.
March 9, 2011 at 9:53 amI made these last night and had way more fun than drinking out of a yard and collecting beads!! đ They were sooo good with honey drizzled on top!
jenna
March 9, 2011 at 6:29 pmawesome!
Maria
March 9, 2011 at 12:15 pmI have been searching for recipes that do not require frying these!!! Thank you thank you thankyou!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joanne
March 11, 2011 at 4:32 amThese are miraculous. So miraculous, in fact, that I remade them (with some twists) for a recipe contest I’m participating in! Also so miraculous that while there were fifteen of them on my table last night, I woke up to only two and a half being there. And one of my roommates keeps walking around our apartment with one in her hand saying “Oh my god”. Thanks so much for the recipe! I just posted about them today if you want to check them out!
Kelsey
March 12, 2011 at 7:15 pmI normally don’t make breads or dough based things but I think I’ll have to try this when I visit my parents — they LOVE beignets
Amanda Molnar
March 31, 2011 at 2:25 pmThese look absolutely fabulous.
I will be making them this weekend (if all goes well). Looks like my deep fryer is going to collect some dust!
-BBC
Tracy
December 8, 2011 at 9:50 amThank you for posting this wonderful recipe! My 5 year old grandson helped make these this morning and we both love them. Very easy and very tasty.
february favorites â Eat, Live, Run
February 11, 2012 at 4:54 am[…] These baked beignets! I have a few more Mardi Gras-themed meals coming up in the next few weeks, but these will always be my favorite. They’re just so doughy! So sweet! So absolutely covered in powdered sugar. […]
Beth
February 17, 2012 at 3:47 pmDo these keep well?? I wanted to make them one night and bring them to work the next day to share.
Kevin@Reviews & Toaster Ovens
April 4, 2012 at 9:18 amThese look like delightful little pleasures. I definitely want to try one.
Oven Baked Beignets |
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January 18, 2013 at 4:46 am[…] These baked beignets! I have a few more Mardi Gras-themed meals coming up in the next few weeks, but these will always be my favorite. Theyâre just so doughy! So sweet! So absolutely covered in powdered sugar. […]
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sheila
February 12, 2013 at 9:24 pmyum! question- do you put your silpat directly onto the oven rack or do you put it on a baking sheet?
Kari@Loaves n Dishes
February 13, 2013 at 8:00 amI would love to be pulling these out of my oven right now!
NewOrleansChef
April 6, 2013 at 9:30 pmThese are not beignets at all, they MUST BE FRIED!!! Shame on you for posting this.
You might as well tell all of Texas and Kansas City to BBQ on an electric range. Disgust!
Persecution + Beignets | Cooking with The King
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Lara
September 24, 2013 at 9:31 amThese look great, I’ll give them a try tomorrow but I have a question, how thick do you roll out the dough?
Thank you!
L.
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October 17, 2013 at 1:32 am[…] os traigo una receta que encontrĂ© hace algĂșn tiempo en el blog eat, live, run. Se trata de los âclĂĄsicosâ beignets, y digo âclĂĄsicosâ porque, inculta de mi, jamĂĄs […]
Dawn
January 26, 2014 at 9:14 amYes please…. Been looking for a good recipe . If I can avoid going through the trouble of frying then that makes it even better! Are these really moist inside?
Pieczone p?czki |
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March 4, 2014 at 2:00 am[…] Courtesy of eatliverun.com […]
christina
March 4, 2014 at 4:29 pmi would add a bit of vanilla to this or else it tastes a bit like pretzels
Krystal
March 23, 2014 at 12:44 pmThese are great! Made my kitchen smell fantastic! And pretty easy to make (used my bread machine to make the dough)- even had my 3 year old help roll and cut. Very tasty and light, quick and easy. And versatile- theyre not so sweet that they could only be a dessert- you could easily make them savory. My favorite kind of recipe!
Baked beignets | eatmunchlove
March 29, 2014 at 1:43 pm[…] Ingredients (makes 15): adapted from eatliverun […]
Scott
April 22, 2014 at 1:15 amCan you freeze them? If so do you warm then in the oven, for how long
Erica
June 6, 2014 at 6:44 amLove the cute small bricks. I’ll try this weekend. Recommend the same baking sheet.
Zsa Zsa Saboo
February 28, 2015 at 6:12 amJust made a batch of dough….once baked will be stuffing these with a nutella creama pasticera and clotted cream. Can’t wait to taste the results.
Alifemoment
March 25, 2015 at 11:08 amDelicious recipe!
Delicious Baked Beignets - momhomeguide.com
June 5, 2017 at 7:04 am[…] deep fry) and don’t have a Donut Pan. But luckily, I came upon this recipe for baked beignets from Eat, Live, Run! With this recipe, you can bake delicious beignets without all the fuss and mess! (In case you were […]
Kristy
February 12, 2019 at 9:34 amI absolutely LOVE this recipe! I think it will be the perfect addition to my upcoming Mardi Gras party. Check out my blog post for my party decorating and serving ideas! https://www.twofunnygirls.com/blog/2019/02/12/personalize-mardi-gras-party/