Beignets are a traditional cajun dessert. They are fluffy, sweet, and delicious. Making vegan beignets helps those with allergies enjoy them.
Jump to RecipeEver 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
Originally Published On: March 20, 2023
Fried Vegan Beignets
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
- 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
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.
More Cajun & Mardi Gras Recipes
- Copycat Cajun Chicken Pasta from Chili’s
- Crawfish Boil Recipe
- Fried Vegan Beignets Recipe
- Creole Pork with Cheesy Polenta
- Shrimp Boil Foil Wrap
- King Cake with Cream Cheese and Pecan Filling
- Shrimp and Okra Bowl
More Vegan Snacks
- Easy Vegan Chocolate Hummus Recipe
- Fried Vegan Beignets Recipe
- Vegan Mounds Bars
- Two Minute Salsa
- Savory Vegan Cream Cheese Wontons
- 3 Ingredient Vegan Red Velvet Cookies
- Vegan Breakfast Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies with No Butter or Dairy (Vegan Recipe)
- Salad with Warm Potatoes and Hummus
- Almond-Date Energy Balls
- Vegan Coconut Ice Cream
- Crystallized Pineapple: A Sweet Snack with Only 3 Ingredients
- Chunky Guacamole Recipe
- Garlic Hummus
- BBQ Waffle Chips from Scratch
- Frozen Fruit Cups: The Perfect Summer Treat
- Pico de Gallo Recipe
- Vegan Oatmeal Cream Pie Cookies
Oooo these look so good! I have only had beignets once at Downtown Disney when I was visiting my cousin and they are yummy! Would baking beignet be an option?
I haven’t tried it myself so can’t say for sure. My worry with baking is they may not puff up quite as much, but should hopefully have the same taste.
I’ve always wanted to make beignets but haven’t had the chance to yet. I didn’t know there were vegan and non vegan options. I will give this a try with oat milk. They’ll be a nice surprise for the kids once I get all the ingredients in to make them.
Hey there! Your vegan beignets recipe looks delicious! I was wondering if you could suggest a substitute for the almond milk for those with nut allergies? Thanks!
You could use other milks in it. If you aren’t looking specifically for vegan or dairy free, this would work with whole milk. Otherwise you could try with another non-dairy milk.
Looks great! We bake 3-4 times in our family. I love your recipe, and my son will be happy to help me with the dough.
Wow, your vegan beignets are so delicious–they have a slightly crisp outside and a warm and soft inside! I can make them again and again.
I have always wanted to try the beignets at disneyland but this recipe makes me want to actually try to make my own first. They look so good and so simple to make.
I have never thought that this recipe is so easy and delicious.
I can’t wait to make this for everyone!
This is a fabulous reminder of our trip to New Orleans. Thanks so much for the fried vegan beignets recipe, as my husband is vegan and loves it! I appreciate it so much.
Nnniiiccceeeee….I believe I have eaten the beefy ones before. I think I will love the vegan ones, too. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Sure looks like a great recipe, whether you are vegan or not. I am going to try making this soon as I have all the ingredients together!
Nice one. I will try to make this for my dad when he visits this weekend. I’m sure he’ll love it.
I’ve always wanted to try beignets since I saw them in the “Princess and the Frog” movie. Those are looking quite delicious and I’m sure the kids would love them as well.