Air Fryer Beignets
Ready in about 97 minutes.
Published by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · How we source times · Updated
Times and temperatures come from our reviewed cooking database. Explanatory text on each page is generated from that entry so the numbers stay consistent.
Light, airy New Orleans beignets with a generous snowfall of icing sugar, made without a pan of hot oil. The air fryer puffs the pillowy dough to golden perfection for a café-style treat at home.
Written for 4. Cook in batches rather than stacking if you scale up.
Ingredients
- 250 g (2 cups) plain flour
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) warm milk
- 1 egg
- 30 g (2 tbsp) melted butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Icing sugar, for dusting
Method
- 1Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt, then stir in the warm milk, egg and butter to form a soft dough.
- 2Knead briefly, then cover and leave to rise for about 1 hour until doubled.
- 3Roll out to 1 cm thick and cut into squares.
- 4Preheat the air fryer to 175°C/350°F and line the basket with parchment.
- 5Air fry the squares for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway, until puffed and golden.
- 6Dust generously with icing sugar and serve warm.
Tips for the best results
- Lightly brush the dough with butter before frying for extra colour.
- Serve immediately; beignets are best warm and fresh.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Crowding the basket so air fryer beignets steams instead of browning.
- Skipping the flip halfway, which leaves one side pale.
- Letting wet coating pieces touch, which peels the crust and keeps it soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature and time for air fryer beignets?
A typical starting point is 175°C / 350°F for 6-8 min, flip halfway. Thickness and wattage change the finish, so check early.
Can I make air fryer beignets ahead?
Cook it, cool it quickly, and refrigerate. Reheat in the air fryer at a slightly lower temperature so the outside does not dry before the middle is hot.
How many people does air fryer beignets serve?
This recipe is written for 4. For a fuller basket, cook in batches rather than stacking, or add a couple of minutes and shake more often.