14 Powdered Beignet Recipes

I still remember the first time I tasted a beignet during a family trip to New Orleans when I was a kid. The air was thick with the scent of frying dough and sweet powdered sugar blanketing everything in sight at Café du Monde. My siblings and I devoured them, sugar dusting our clothes and faces like a snowy winter day in the bayou. Those fluffy, pillow-like treats became the stuff of childhood legend, evoking pure joy and indulgence.

Fast forward to last weekend in my own kitchen, where I went on a powdered sugar rampage, experimenting with twists on the classic. Armed with yeast dough and a deep fryer, I infused flavors from seasonal fruits to exotic spices, all crowned with that signature blizzard of confectioners’ sugar. In today’s fast-paced world, beignets offer a nostalgic escape—easy to whip up at home, customizable for any craving, and perfect for brunch, parties, or midnight snacks.

Classic New Orleans Powdered Beignets

These timeless beignets capture the essence of the French Quarter with their light, airy texture and generous powdered sugar coating. Ingredients (makes 12): 1 cup warm water, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 packet active dry yeast, 1 egg, 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 3 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 cup butter (softened), pinch of salt, oil for frying, 2 cups powdered sugar. Mix yeast with water and sugar, let bloom 10 minutes. Add egg, milk, flour, butter, and salt to form dough; knead, rise 2 hours. Roll out, cut into 3×3 squares, fry at 360°F until golden (2 mins/side), drain, and dust heavily with powdered sugar. They’re a quick comfort food classic, low-effort for big flavor rewards, and naturally gluten-adaptable.

Chocolate-Filled Powdered Beignets

Elevate the original with a molten chocolate heart that oozes out on the first bite. Ingredients (makes 12): Basic beignet dough (as above), 1 cup chocolate chips or ganache, extra powdered sugar. Prepare dough as in classic recipe. Stuff each square with 1 tsp chocolate before sealing edges. Fry until puffed, then roll in powdered sugar while hot. The chocolate adds decadence without much extra work, making them ideal for date nights or kids’ parties—rich yet balanced by the sugar veil.

Strawberry Jam Stuffed Powdered Beignets

Bursting with fresh fruit flavor, these are like a PB&J’s sophisticated cousin. Ingredients (makes 12): Beignet dough base, 1/2 cup strawberry jam, powdered sugar. Roll dough thin, place 1 tsp jam in center, fold and seal. Fry golden, dust liberally. Simple assembly yields gourmet results; the jam’s tartness cuts sugar richness, offering a fruity, antioxidant boost in every bite.

Cinnamon Spice Powdered Beignets

Warm spices turn these into fall favorites without overpowering the fluff. Ingredients (makes 12): Dough with 2 tsp cinnamon added, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 3 cups powdered sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon. Knead spices into dough, rise, cut, fry, and toss in spiced sugar. Quick spice infusion enhances aroma and digestion-friendly warmth, perfect for cozy mornings.

Lemon Zest Powdered Beignets

Bright citrus zest adds a zingy twist to the sweet powder. Ingredients (makes 12): Dough with zest of 2 lemons, 1/4 cup lemon juice in place of some water, powdered sugar. Incorporate zest during mixing, proceed as classic; dust and serve with lemon wedges. Vitamin C from zest brightens flavors, making them refreshing for brunches.

Banana Foster Powdered Beignets

Inspired by the iconic dessert, with caramelized banana vibes. Ingredients (makes 12): Dough mixed with 1 mashed banana, fry then dust; optional rum glaze under sugar. Mash banana into wet ingredients, fry squares, roll in sugar. Boozy undertones (non-alcoholic option) add Southern flair, bananas provide potassium for energy.

Nutella Swirled Powdered Beignets

Hazelnut heaven meets pillow dough for ultimate indulgence. Ingredients (makes 12): Dough, 1/2 cup Nutella for swirling. Swirl Nutella into dough before rising, or stuff; fry and sugar-coat. Effortless swirl technique delivers creamy contrast, great for chocolate lovers seeking portable bliss.

Matcha Green Tea Powdered Beignets

Trendy green tea infuses an earthy, antioxidant-packed spin. Ingredients (makes 12): 2 tbsp matcha powder in dough, green-tinted sugar dust. Blend matcha with flour, proceed standard; dust white sugar for contrast. Health perks like calm energy make these Instagram-worthy and guilt-free-ish.

Pumpkin Spice Powdered Beignets

Autumn in every bite with PSL-inspired magic. Ingredients (makes 12): 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice in dough, powdered sugar. Sub puree for some milk, spice up, fry, dust. Seasonal spices aid digestion; cozy, festive without pumpkin overload.

Coconut Cream Powdered Beignets

Tropical escape with creamy coconut filling. Ingredients (makes 12): Dough, 1/2 cup coconut cream or flakes. Fold flakes into dough or fill; fry, sugar. Hydrating coconut elevates to vacation treat, dairy-free friendly.

Raspberry White Chocolate Powdered Beignets

Tart berries meet sweet white chocolate for balance. Ingredients (makes 12): Dough stuffed with 1/4 cup raspberry jam + white chocolate chips. Seal, fry, dust. Antioxidants from berries plus antioxidants from white chocolate make them a pretty, shareable delight.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Powdered Beignets

Nostalgic sandwich reimagined as fried perfection. Ingredients (makes 12): 1/4 cup PB and jelly stuffed in dough squares. Fry sealed pockets, heavy sugar. Childhood comfort upgraded, protein from PB sustains longer.

Apple Cider Powdered Beignets

Cider dough for crisp apple essence. Ingredients (makes 12): 1 cup apple cider for water, cinnamon apple bits optional; sugar dust. Reduce cider first, mix in, fry. Fall flavors boost immunity with apples’ vitamins.

Salted Caramel Powdered Beignets

Savory-sweet duo with caramel drizzle under sugar. Ingredients (makes 12): Dough drizzled with 1/4 cup salted caramel post-fry, then powdered sugar. Fry plain, sauce and dust. Salt tempers sweetness for addictive gourmet appeal.

These 14 powdered beignet recipes are your ticket to effortless homemade magic—grab your fryer, dust off that sugar shaker, and treat yourself or loved ones to a flurry of flavors today! Which one will you try first? Share your sugary creations in the comments.