Name: Air Fryer Beignets Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon ground Flaxseed Meal; 3 tablespoons Water (for the flax egg); 3/4 cup Lukewarm Water (for the beignet dough); 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar; 2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast; 3 1/2-4 cups Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour; 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest; 1/4 teaspoon Salt; 2 tablespoons Unsalted Vegan Butter, room temperature, cut into small pieces; 3/4 cup Almond Milk; 1/4 cup melted Vegan Butter; 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar

Air Fryer Beignets are a healthier twist on the classic French doughnut that is synonymous with the streets of Louisiana. These light, fluffy pastries are made with gluten-free flour and have a crispy exterior, thanks to the air fryer, without the greasiness of traditional frying.

Enjoy the rich, authentic flavors of Louisiana right in your kitchen with a vegan-friendly recipe. If you love air fryer desserts, these beignets will surely become a favorite. Serve them hot, dusted with powdered sugar for a sweet indulgence!

To make the beignets healthier, we used gluten-free flour and made them vegan. You can also try Air Fryer Churros for another spectacular recipe.

Plus, if you're looking for more air fryer meal ideas, check out our comprehensive guide to air fryer meal prep.

#Brunch #Healthy Breakfast #Air Fryer Desserts #Sweet Desserts #Gluten Free #Low Fat #Vegan #Vegetarian #Air Fryer

These Air Fryer Beignets are a guilt-free indulgence that doesn’t compromise on taste. They’re crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and made without oil, making them a healthier alternative to traditional fried beignets. Plus, they’re gluten-free and vegan, making them perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions. Quick and easy to prepare, you’ll have a delicious dessert in under 30 minutes.

Make sure your dough rises in a warm spot for the perfect airy texture.
Use a pastry brush to coat the beignets evenly with melted vegan butter to get that golden brown finish.
Dust the beignets with powdered sugar right before serving to ensure they stay light and fluffy.

Serve these beignets warm, dusted generously with powdered sugar. For an extra treat, pair them with a dipping sauce like melted chocolate or fruit jam. They also go well with a cup of coffee or tea for a perfect afternoon snack.

Flour: If you’re not gluten-free, you can substitute regular all-purpose flour.
Butter: Regular butter can be used if you’re not following a vegan diet.
Milk: You can use any plant-based milk or regular cow’s milk for a richer flavor.
Sugar: You can substitute powdered sugar with a sugar-free alternative for a lower-calorie version.

Store leftover beignets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until warm and crispy. Avoid refrigerating, as this can make the beignets dense and tough.

Air Fryer

Chef's Knife

Fine Mesh Strainer

Plastic Wrap

Rolling Pin

Serving Platter

Silicone Brush

Small Mixing Bowl

Stand Up Mixer Bowl

Whisk

Ground Flaxseed Meal: Acts as an egg replacement in this vegan recipe.
Water: Used to activate the flaxseed and yeast.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough.
Active Dry Yeast: Helps the dough rise and gives the beignets their light texture.
Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure without the gluten.
Lemon Zest: Adds a hint of citrus freshness to balance the sweetness.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Vegan Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the dough.
Almond Milk: Makes the dough soft and gives it a slight nutty flavor.
Powdered Sugar: For dusting the beignets after cooking.

Can you make beignets in an air fryer?

Of course, you can make beignets in an air fryer. The air fryer will give the beignets a crispy exterior and a soft and fluffy interior. Plus, the beignets won't be greasy like the fried version.

Can you fry frozen beignets?

Yes, you can freeze beignet dough, but you cannot fry frozen beignets. Therefore, it's best to remove the frozen beignets from the freezer and let them thaw before frying them so they can cook evenly.

Can I use olive oil for beignets?

Technically, you can fry beignets in olive oil. However, I don't recommend it. This is because olive oil has a high smoking point. In other words, the olive oil could burn and ignite into flames, creating an extremely harmful situation. In addition, olive oil has a robust, distinct flavor that will affect the taste of the beignets. Therefore, it's safer and better to use vegetable oil or another oil with a low smoking point.

Can you reheat beignets in an air fryer?

Yes, you can reheat beignets in the air fryer. First, preheat your air fryer to 350 ºF. Add the beignets to the air fryer basket in an even layer and cook them for 3-4 minutes until they are warm.

Can I make these beignets without a flax egg?

Yes, you can substitute the flax egg with a regular egg if you are not following a vegan diet.

How to Make Air Fryer Beignets

To make Air Fryer Beignets, start by mixing ground flaxseed meal and water to create a flax egg. Activate the yeast by mixing it with lukewarm water and a teaspoon of sugar until frothy. In a mixing bowl, combine gluten-free flour, flax egg, lemon zest, salt, vegan butter, and sugar. Add the almond milk and yeast mixture, then mix to form a sticky dough. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size, punch it down, and roll it out to ½ inch thickness. Cut the dough into squares and brush with melted vegan butter. Air fry the beignets at 350°F for 5 minutes until golden brown. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Author: Sarah Leadon

Total rating includes sum of all comments and anonymous votes.

Prevent Screen Saver

Click to avoid screen dimming during cooking.

Time & Serves

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

25 mins

Serves

Ingredients

1 tablespoon ground Flaxseed Meal
3 tablespoons Water (for the flax egg)
3/4 cup Lukewarm Water (for the beignet dough)
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
3 1/2-4 cups Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
1 tablespoon Lemon Zest
1/4 teaspoon Salt
2 tablespoons Unsalted Vegan Butter, room temperature, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup Almond Milk
1/4 cup melted Vegan Butter
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar

Instructions

Add the ground flaxseed meal and the 3 tablespoons of water to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set the flaxseed mixture aside for 5 minutes until it thickens up.

Whisk the water, one teaspoon of sugar, and yeast in a bowl and set it aside until it is frothy.

To a stand mixer's bowl, add the gluten-free all-purpose flour, along with the flaxseed mixture, lemon zest, salt, softened vegan butter, and the remaining sugar.

Fasten the paddle attachment and mix it to combine.

Add the almond milk and the yeast mixture to the stand mixer's bowl and mix the beignet dough until a sticky dough forms.

Place the beignet dough in a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm area until the beignet dough doubles in volume.

Punch the beignet dough down, then place it onto your floured kitchen countertop.

Roll the beignet dough out with a rolling pin until it is 1/2 inch in thickness.

Cut the beignet dough into 24 rectangular pieces that are approximately 2 by 3 inches using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

Preheat your air fryer to 350 ºF.

Brush both sides of the beignets with melted vegan butter using a pastry brush.

Add about 4-5 beignets to the air fryer basket and cook them for 2 1/2 minutes. Turn the beignets over and cook them for an additional 2 1/2 minutes until they are golden brown.

Place the beignets onto a serving platter. Put the powdered sugar into a fine-mesh sieve and dust them with powdered sugar before serving.

Nutrition Disclosure