Fried Vegan Beignets Recipe

Beignets are a traditional cajun dessert. They are fluffy, sweet, and delicious. Making vegan beignets helps those with allergies enjoy them.

Ever since we moved to the Houston area in Texas, we noticed there’s a big influence of food and culture from the New Orleans area. We were actually told once that it came after Hurricane Katrina as people had to leave there and this was one of the major cities they settled in.

Whether that’s true or not, we have enjoyed some of the mardi gras, cajun, and Louisiana lifestyle. Recently, we were invited to join one of Tyler’s friends for his birthday at a local cajun restaurant to have some traditional beignets and king cake. That was the first time we had tried them and we were hooked.

But, since I can’t have dairy, we decided to set out to make a vegan version. The biggest difference is the milk that’s used. Instead of whole milk, which is in most beignets, we used almond milk. It didn’t change the flavor but kept the dairy out of the recipe.

When we first moved, that was the first time I had seen the word beignet and had no idea how to say it! I thought it was “bay-net” but have been corrected that it’s “ben-yay”.

Warning, even using the vegan options, these things are addicting! We said we will only make them as a special treat every now and then.

While we made them in hot oil this time, I want to try them in the air fryer next time. I think it would work as long as you make sure to spray the tray with a nonstick spray before you place the dough on it.

Fried Vegan Beignets Step by Step

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp active dry yeast
• 3 tbsp almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

Preparation

In a small mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Add the almond milk, olive oil, and vanilla to the yeast mixture

Slowly mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and mix until a dough is formed.

On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough a few times.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let rest in a warm place for 10 minutes to let the dough rise.

Roll the dough out into a 9×9-inch square and use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut into pieces about 1-inch square.

Heat an inch of vegetable oil in a cast-iron skillet to 350F.

Carefully add a few beignet squares to the hot oil and cook for about 2 minutes per side, until golden brown.

Remove from the oil and cool on a rack with paper towels underneath to catch dripping oil.

Repeat with the remaining dough.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired before serving.

Fried Vegan Beignets Leftovers

Storage: Store leftover beignets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you know you won’t eat them all, I suggest waiting to put the confectioner’s sugar on until they are served as it will absorb into the beignets as they sit.

Recipe

Fried Vegan Beignets

Beignets are a traditional cajun dessert. They are fluffy, sweet, and delicious. Making vegan beignets helps those with allergies enjoy them.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Rest Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Course:

Dessert

Cuisine:

American

Diet

Vegan

|

Vegetarian

Keyword:

beignets

|

dairy free

|

dessert

|

vegan

|

vegan beignets

|

vegan dessert

Dietary Needs:

Dairy-Free

|

Egg-Free

|

Vegan

Servings: 20 pieces

5 from 8 votes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp active dry yeast
• 3 tbsp almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

Recommended Equipment

• Mixing Bowls – Stainless Steel
• Whisk – Wire
• Plastic Wrap
• Pizza Cutter
• Chef Knife
• Cast Iron Skillet
• Wire Cooling Rack
• Paper Towels

Instructions

• In a small mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast and let it sit for 5-10 minutes
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt
• Add the almond milk, olive oil, and vanilla to the yeast mixture
• Slowly mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and mix until a dough is formed
• On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough a few times
• Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let rest in a warm place for 10 minutes to let the dough rise
• Roll the dough out into a 9×9-inch square and use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut into pieces about 1-inch square
• Heat an inch of vegetable oil in a cast-iron skillet to 350F
• Carefully add a few beignet squares to the hot oil and cook for about 2 minutes per side, until golden brown
• Remove from the oil and cool on a rack with paper towels underneath to catch dripping oil
• Repeat with the remaining dough
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired before serving

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Nutrition Facts

Fried Vegan Beignets

Amount Per Serving (1 each)

Calories 66 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g3%

Saturated Fat 0.2g1%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Sodium 46mg2%

Potassium 15mg0%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Fiber 0.4g2%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin C 0.001mg0%

Calcium 5mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

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