Baked Beignets for Mardi Gras
2017 UPDATE: For Mardi Gras this year, I updated the photos and the recipe for this version of oven baked beignets - enjoy!
I've often declared my love for all things Southern, like here. Heck, I even have a "Southern Wannabe" board on Pinterest. And while I adore New Orleans and can't wait to get back, I can't say I have a burning desire to be there on Mardi Gras (ok, maybe if I was 10 -15 years younger.) I'm happy to keep my visits to Jazz Fest, half marathons and random weekends and will be celebrating from afar come Tuesday with these beignets.
[bctt tweet="Celebrate Mardi Gras with these Oven Baked Beignets via @tspbasil" via="no"]
Now I have no illusion that baked beignets can even possibly compare to the fried deliciousness you get in NOLA (I made a daily trek to Cafe Beignet during my last visit - dare I say better than Cafe du Monde?) but I was intrigued to make them after reading the post & recipe from Jenna @ Eat Live Run, which she adapted from Good Housekeeping. After baking and tasting - I agree with her, when doused in powdered sugar, their yeasty, sweet goodness certainly hit the spot.
So laissez les bon temps rouler and here's my updated recipe where I added in whole wheat pastry flour and nutmeg.
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Baked Beignets
- Yield: 25 beignets 1x
Description
Celebrate Mardi Gras with this baked version of the classic beignets!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup warm water
- ¼ ounce package of yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine water, yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until yeast gets foamy.
- Mix in flours, remaining sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Cut butter into small pieces and mix into dough.
- Add buttermilk and egg and mix well. Knead on a floured surface until you have a smooth dough (should take about 5 minutes.) (If you have a stand mixer, you can use a dough hook to mix and knead dough.)
- Coat bowl with cooking spray and add dough ball. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 30 minutes.
- On a floured surface, roll dough out into a large rectangle, about ¼-inch thick. Using a pizza cutter, cut 5 even strips horizontally and then vertically so you have 25 beignet squares.
- Cover baking sheet with parchment paper and add beignets. Cover with a kitchen towel and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bake beignets for 10 -12 minutes (Watch carefully! Take them out before they start to turn golden brown.) Let cool for 5 minutes and then generously dust them with powdered sugar.
Notes
Updated from Oven-Baked Beignets at Eat, Live Run.
Note: Since this dough is less sweet compared to typical beignets, you can generously shake on the powdered sugar before serving.
Have you ever been to New Orleans during Mardi Gras? Do you have a favorite spot for beignets?
Nope. Never... and no desire. When you like to go to bed by 9pm, Mardi Gras doesn't suit you 😉
I do, however, completely have the desire to make baked beignets. Fun! Can't wait to give these a try.
Regan - I am the same way - a bunch of drunks out late at night is definitely NOT my style. However last year I had my first Mardi Gras in New Orleans and it was amazing! I only went out during the day and was home by 7pm and the daytime scene is TOTALLY different - its nothing but a sea of people wearing incredible hand-made costumes and local live bands (GOOD bands) on every corner. There were children everywhere, and parades - I've never had so much fun in my life! Just wanted to share that with you as someone who used to share your same misconception. If you ever get a chance, you really should go - its incredible 🙂
Good to know!!
I just saw these on Healthy Aperture and oh boy! I would love some beignets right now. I haven't been to New Orleans since I was really young but I'd love to go back. These look amazing! I absolutely love that they're baked.
Erin - thanks so much for commenting and now I need to make your whole wheat King Cake!
Too bad we can't do a trade. I love my king cake but I'd love some of those beignets. 🙂
Oh the memories of my last two trips to NOLA with you! I will put these in my list for post Mardi Gras delights!
When are we going back??
My last beignet was eaten in Dallas over 7 years ago at a little cafe in a strip mall near our house-oh, so good! I have been to New Orleans once, and did eat a beignet there, although not at Mardis Gras-cant imagine that craziness! These beignets look delicious...maybe I'll try to make a GF version one day 🙂
There is something magical about those beignets - do let me know if you master a gluten-free version!
As I live in NOLA, I ots definitely have been here during mardi gras! 😉 love my beignets from cafe du monde complete with a frozen cafe au lait. I however love the idea of healthier beignets at home for my children and myself! 😉
Laissez les Bon temps rouller!
Ahh, I am jealous of your residence 🙂 How did I miss the frozen cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde? I don't need much more of an excuse than that to visit again.
No way!!! Baked beignets! I'm heading to the recipe now with a firm plan to make a gf version!
Yes - that is your task (like RMJ's request for GF chocolate au pain last year.) I know you will prevail!
Happy Mardi Gras! I am a New Orleanian in exile - central Pennsylvania to be exact, and I was just reading on the Cafe du Monde website that they recommend cottonseed oil! C'est terrible! So yes, I will be making these tonight for myself and my 13-year-old daughter. And I concur that the daytime scene is MUCH different than night. I always took my daughter out and we had a blast admiring everyone's costumes, jamming to some funk-ay music, and sharing meals and memories with good friends. Can you tell I'm a lil bit homesick? 🙂
Oh wow - so great to hear from you! Central PA is pretty different than NOLA (I can say that being a Pennyslvanian my whole life and attending Penn State- ha) and I cannot blame you for missing it. I'd love to experience Mardi Gras during the day down there sometime - have been for JazzFest but never Mardi Gras - I just adore your city and the culture (and of course the food!) LMK how the beignets turn out!
Hello, I love the idea of baked beignets! Your recipe is from scratch but I have a box of Cafe du Monde beinget mix. Could I use the mix and still bake them?? Any tips or advice on how I might go about this??
Oooh, I don't see why not - I would definitely try it and just follow the baking instructions in the recipe link (400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.) I'd love to hear how they turn out - lmk!
I've never been to New Orleans and I have to say that I'm not sure if I've ever had a really good beignet. How sad! These baked ones look so delicious!
You need to put both of those things (visit NOLA and eat a beignet) on your bucket list for sure 🙂
OH how I miss NOLA!! These look delish!
This recipe looks good. I'm just wondering what using yeast, baking soda, and baking powder in the same recipe does? Does it make it softer?
That's a great question. I originally adapted this from another recipe that called for all three but I guess you really don't need all three! I'm going to try it again soon without the baking powder and will report back my findings. Thanks for your comment!