Imagine the buttery, flaky goodness of a croissant meeting the pillowy softness of a beignet—sounds like a dream, right? Well, that’s exactly what you get with fried croissant beignets! These little bites of heaven are crispy on the outside, light and airy on the inside, and dusted with just the right amount of powdered sugar for that perfect sweet finish.
They come together in no time, making them a dangerously easy treat to whip up whenever a craving hits. Serve them with a side of chocolate sauce, caramel drizzle, or a simple dusting of cinnamon sugar, and watch them disappear before your eyes!
Why You’ll Love Fried Croissant Beignets
Crispy and Fluffy
Golden brown on the outside, soft and airy inside—basically the best of both worlds!
Quick and Easy
Since we’re using croissant dough, there’s no waiting for dough to rise. Just cut, fry, and enjoy!
Perfectly Sweet
Dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with honey, these beignets strike the perfect balance of sweetness.
Versatile Treat
Enjoy them plain, with a dusting of cinnamon sugar, or dipped in chocolate or fruit preserves.
Crowd-Pleasing
Serve them for breakfast, brunch, or dessert—no one can resist these little bites of joy!
Ingredients in Fried Croissant Beignets
This recipe is all about taking simple ingredients and turning them into something magical.
Croissant Dough
Flaky and buttery, this is the secret to getting that irresistible beignet texture without the hassle of making dough from scratch.
Vegetable Oil
For deep frying to golden perfection. Use a neutral oil like canola or sunflower oil for the best results.
Powdered Sugar
The classic topping that adds a light sweetness and a beautiful finish.
Optional Toppings
Cinnamon sugar, chocolate sauce, honey, or fruit preserves—customize them to your heart’s content!
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create these irresistible treats:
Cut the Croissant Dough
Roll out your croissant dough and cut it into small squares or rectangles.
Heat the Oil
In a deep pan, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Proper oil temperature ensures a crispy exterior without absorbing excess oil.
Fry the Beignets
Carefully drop a few pieces of dough into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
Drain and Cool
Remove from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Dust with Powdered Sugar
While still warm, generously dust with powdered sugar for that classic beignet look and taste.
Serve and Enjoy!
Pair with chocolate sauce, honey, or your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy warm!
How to Serve Fried Croissant Beignets
These beignets are delicious on their own, but here are a few fun ways to enjoy them:
With Chocolate Sauce
Dip them in a rich, velvety chocolate sauce for extra indulgence.
Cinnamon Sugar Twist
Toss them in a mix of cinnamon and sugar for a warm, spiced sweetness.
Drizzled with Honey
A simple honey drizzle adds a deliciously sticky-sweet finish.
With Fresh Berries
Serve alongside strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for a fruity balance.
Stuffed with Cream
Slice them open and fill with pastry cream, Nutella, or jam for a decadent surprise!
Additional Tips
Use Pre-Made Croissant Dough
For an easy shortcut, use store-bought croissant dough.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan
Frying in batches ensures even cooking and prevents soggy beignets.
Test Oil Temperature
Use a thermometer to maintain 350°F (175°C) for perfect crispiness.
Eat Fresh!
These are best enjoyed warm, straight from the fryer.
Freeze for Later
Fry them ahead of time and reheat in the oven for a quick treat!
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use puff pastry instead of croissant dough?
A1: Yes! Puff pastry will give a similar flaky texture, though croissant dough has a richer flavor.
Q2: Can I make these ahead of time?
A2: They taste best fresh, but you can reheat them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes.
Q3: Can I bake instead of fry?
A3: Fried beignets have the best texture, but you can bake them at 375°F (190°C) until golden brown.
Q4: How do I store leftovers?
A4: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Reheat before serving.
Q5: Can I add fillings before frying?
A5: Yes! Try stuffing them with Nutella, jam, or pastry cream before sealing and frying.
Q6: What’s the best dipping sauce?
A6: Chocolate ganache, caramel, raspberry sauce, or even whipped cream are all amazing options!
Q7: How do I prevent them from absorbing too much oil?
A7: Make sure your oil is hot enough (350°F/175°C) and drain them on paper towels after frying.
Q8: Can I use an air fryer?
A8: Yes! Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Q9: What’s the best way to cut the dough?
A9: Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife for clean, even cuts.
Q10: Can I double the batch?
A10: Absolutely! Just fry in batches to maintain the right oil temperature.
Final Thoughts
Crispy, golden, and dusted with sugar fried croissant beignets are an absolute treat! Whether you enjoy them plain, dipped in chocolate, or dusted with cinnamon sugar, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. Try them out and get ready for pure pastry bliss!
Print
Fried Croissant Beignets
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 beignets 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: FRE
Description
These Fried Croissant Beignets are a delicious fusion of flaky croissants and airy beignets, deep-fried to golden perfection. Coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture and optionally filled with rich chocolate spread, these indulgent treats are perfect for special occasions or a sweet weekend breakfast.
Ingredients
Yeast Mixture:
- 60ml (1/4 cup) milk, lukewarm
- 120ml (1/2 cup) water, lukewarm
- 21g (2 tbsp + 1 tsp) active dry yeast
- 50g (1/4 cup) sugar
Dough:
- 550g (4 1/2 cups) Manitoba flour (or bread flour)
- 2 eggs (120g or 4.2 oz)
- 1 egg yolk (20g or 0.7 oz)
- 1 tbsp rum (optional)
- 5g (3/4 tsp) salt
- 70g (1/3 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 750ml (3 1/2 cups) vegetable oil, for frying
Dusting & Filling:
- 80g (1/3 cup) sugar
- 40g (1/3 cup) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 350g (12 oz) chocolate spread (Lino Lada or similar)
Instructions
1. Make the Yeast Mixture:
- In a bowl, combine lukewarm milk, water, yeast, and sugar.
- Stir well and set aside for 10 minutes until foamy.
Tip: Ensure the milk and water are between 30-35°C (85-95°F) for optimal yeast activation.
2. Prepare the Dough:
- In a stand mixer with a dough hook (or use a hand-held electric mixer with dough hooks), combine flour, eggs, egg yolk, rum (if using), salt, and the yeast mixture.
- Knead on low speed, then increase to medium and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Add the butter and continue kneading for 3-4 more minutes until incorporated.
3. First Proofing:
- Cover the dough with clingfilm and let it rise at room temperature (20-25°C / 68-77°F) for 1 hour, until visibly increased.
- Transfer to the fridge for 30 minutes to make shaping easier.
4. Shape the Beignets:
- Lightly flour a large baking sheet.
- Roll the dough into a 20cm x 60cm (8 x 24 inch) rectangle.
- Cut into 16 triangles, each about 8cm x 25cm (3 x 10 inch).
- Roll each triangle into a croissant shape, starting from the thickest end.
- Place on the baking sheet, cover with a damp kitchen towel, and let rise for 1-1.5 hours until tripled in size.
Tip: The croissants should jiggle slightly when the baking sheet is shaken after proofing.
5. Fry the Beignets:
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 170-180°C (340-355°F).
- Lightly dust a spatula with flour, pick up a beignet, and gently drop it into the oil with the seam side up.
- Fry 3 minutes covered, then flip and fry 3 more minutes uncovered.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined wire rack. Repeat with the remaining dough.
6. Coat & Fill:
- In a bowl, mix sugar, powdered sugar, and cinnamon.
- Roll the warm beignets in the sugar mixture to coat.
- If filling, make a small incision in the bottom and pipe in chocolate spread using a pastry bag.
7. Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve warm, dusted with extra powdered sugar if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 beignet
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 45mg