Beignets (Gabonese Fried Dough)
In short: Soft, puffy yeast dough squares fried until deep golden and dusted with sugar, eaten warm as a snack or after a meal. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 1 h 15 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 380 kcal
Beignets are fried dough, and in Gabon they are a snack that shows French influence: soft, golden puffs dusted with sugar. They are eaten warm as a snack or after a meal. This version uses a simple yeast dough with a little sugar and nutmeg, which you can mix in minutes and leave to rise. Fry them in oil that is hot enough to puff them quickly, so they stay light.
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, sugar, yeast, salt and nutmeg together in a large bowl.
- Add the warm water and mix to a soft dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic, or 5 minutes in a stand mixer.
- Put the dough in an oiled bowl, cover and leave in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- Punch the dough down and roll it out to 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) thick. Cut into 5 cm (2 inch) squares, place them on a floured tray, cover and rest for 15 minutes.
- Pour 6 cm (2 1/2 inches) of oil into a deep pot and heat to 175°C (350°F).
- Fry 5 or 6 beignets at a time for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until puffed and deep golden.
- Drain on paper towels and dust with powdered sugar while still warm. Serve at once.
Tips
- Test one beignet first. If it browns in under a minute the oil is too hot, and if it takes more than 4 minutes the oil is too cool and the dough will be greasy.
- Beignets are best eaten within an hour of frying. For a change from powdered sugar, toss them in caster sugar mixed with a pinch of cinnamon.
Questions and answers
Can I make beignet dough ahead of time?
Yes. After shaping, cover the squares and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before frying.
Why are my beignets heavy?
Usually the dough was under-risen or the oil was too cool. Let the dough double in size, and keep the oil at 175°C (350°F).
Can I bake beignets instead of frying?
You can bake them at 200°C (400°F) for 12 to 15 minutes, but they will be more like soft rolls than crisp, puffy beignets.
How long does it take to make Beignets (Gabonese Fried Dough)?
About 50 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Beignets (Gabonese Fried Dough)?
About 380 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 64 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 64 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
| Sodium | 195 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
