How to Make Healthier Beignets in the Air Fryer

Quick, easy, and healthy air fryer beignets are the best dessert! These light, fluffy pastries require no deep frying but still deliver that authentic taste and texture you crave.

Imagine enjoying warm, pillowy beignets dusted with powdered sugar without the hassle of deep frying or the extra calories from oil. These air fryer beignets bring the famous New Orleans treat right to your kitchen in a healthier, simpler way. The dough comes together with basic pantry ingredients, and while it does need time to rise, the actual hands-on preparation is minimal. Serve these delicious treats with a fruity dipping sauce for a special breakfast or impressive dessert!

Ingredients and Supplies to Make Air Fryer Beignets

Ingredients:

• Water (warm)
• Sugar
• Yeast (active dry)
• Salt
• Butter (unsalted, room temperature)
• Egg (beaten)
• Milk
• Flour (all-purpose)
• Butter (melted, for dipping)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

For Raspberry Dipping Sauce:

• Raspberry jam
• Water

Supplies:

• Air fryer
• Medium mixing bowl
• Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
• Rolling pin
• Knife or pizza cutter
• Pastry brush
• Small bowl for melted butter
• Small bowl for raspberry sauce
• Sifter or fine mesh strainer (for powdered sugar)

Looking to customize your beignets or try different flavors? Here are some delicious variations:

Switch up the basic beignet dough!

Try these options:

• Whole Wheat Blend – substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for extra nutrition
• Vanilla Bean – add 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste to the dough for subtle flavor
• Lemon Zest – incorporate 1 tablespoon of lemon zest for a bright citrus note
• Cinnamon Spice – add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the dough for a warm flavor

Dipping Sauce Options

The raspberry sauce is delicious, but you can try these alternatives:

• Chocolate Sauce – mix 1/4 cup chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons heavy cream, heat until smooth
• Caramel Sauce – warm 1/4 cup caramel sauce for a rich dipping option
• Maple Glaze – combine 1/4 cup maple syrup with 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• Lemon Curd – use store-bought or homemade for a tangy option
• Nutella – warm slightly for an easy chocolate-hazelnut dip

Topping Ideas

Beyond classic powdered sugar, try these toppings:

• Cinnamon Sugar – mix 1/4 cup sugar with 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• Coconut – sprinkle with toasted shredded coconut
• Cocoa Powder – dust with cocoa powder or mix it with powdered sugar
• Crushed Nuts – add finely chopped pistachios or pecans after dusting with sugar

How to Make Beignets in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon yeast.
2. Mix thoroughly and let rest for 4-5 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly.
3. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons of room temperature butter, 1 beaten egg, and 1/2 cup milk. Stir well to combine.
4. Add 1 cup of flour and mix until incorporated, either by hand or using a stand mixer with a dough hook.
5. Gradually add more flour (up to 2 more cups) until the dough forms a moderately stiff ball that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
6. Knead the dough for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

1. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat.
2. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
3. Let rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 3: Shape and Cook the Beignets

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
2. After the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release air bubbles.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 1/2 inch thick.
4. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 2×3 inch diamond shapes.
5. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a small bowl.
6. Dip each dough diamond into the melted butter, coating both sides.
7. Place the buttered dough pieces in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for expansion.
8. Reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 6 minutes, flipping the beignets halfway through cooking.

Step 4: Prepare the Raspberry Sauce

1. While the beignets are cooking, combine 1/4 cup raspberry jam with 1-2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl.
2. Stir until well combined and smooth. Adjust the consistency with more water if needed.

Step 5: Serve

1. Immediately remove the beignets from the air fryer basket when done.
2. Generously dust with powdered sugar while still warm.
3. Serve with the raspberry dipping sauce on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know when my beignets are done cooking?
   • They should be golden brown on the outside and fully cooked inside. If you break one open, it should not have raw dough in the center.
2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
   • Yes! You can prepare the dough and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. Bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping.
3. Why didn’t my beignets puff up?
   • This could be due to inactive yeast, dough that’s too thick, or insufficient rising time. Make sure your yeast is fresh and give the dough enough time to double in size.
4. Can I freeze unbaked beignet dough?
   • Yes, after cutting the dough into shapes, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before dipping in butter and air frying.
5. Are these really healthier than traditional beignets?
   • Yes! Traditional beignets are deep-fried in oil, while these use only a small amount of butter and are air-fried, significantly reducing the fat content.

Final Thoughts

These air fryer beignets are a game-changer for anyone who loves these classic pastries but wants a healthier option or doesn’t want to deal with deep frying. While they do require some patience for the dough to rise, the actual hands-on preparation is simple enough for even novice bakers.

The air fryer creates beignets with a wonderfully crisp exterior and soft, pillowy interior – remarkably similar to the traditional version but with much less oil. The raspberry dipping sauce adds a perfect fruity complement to the sweet pastry, though they’re equally delicious with just a dusting of powdered sugar.

Whether you’re serving these for a special breakfast, afternoon treat, or dessert, they’re sure to impress. And since they’re made with simple pantry staples, you can whip them up whenever the craving strikes without a special trip to the store. These healthier beignets prove that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor when making smarter cooking choices!

More Quick and Easy Air Fryer Desserts:

• Easiest Air Fryer Fried Oreos
• Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
• The Best Air Fryer Molten Lava Cake
• Air Fryer Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce
• Two-Ingredient Air Fryer Apple Pies
• Air Fryer Donuts with Two ingredients

Find answers to answer FAQs in these air fryer guides!

• The Best Air Fryer Accessories that You Need
• How to Cook Any Recipe in the Air Fryer
• How to Avoid these Air Fryer Mistakes

How to Make Healthier Beignets in the Air Fryer

Quick, easy, and healthy air fryer beignets are the best dessert! These light, fluffy pastries require no deep frying but still deliver that authentic taste and texture you crave.

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Prep Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes minutes

Total Time: 2 hours hours 26 minutes minutes

Serves: 8

Adjust Servings: 8

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• ¾ cup warm water
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
• 1 egg beaten
• ½ cup of milk
• 2½-3 cups flour
• ¼ cup melted butter
• ½ cup powdered sugar

Raspberry Dipping Sauce (Mix together until combined)

• ¼ cup raspberry jam
• 1-2 tablespoons water

Instructions

• Combine warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar, and yeast in a medium bowl.
• Mix and let it rest for 4-5 minutes, until bubbly.
• Add salt, butter, egg, and milk. Stir well.
• Add 1 cup of flour by hand or in a stand mixer with a dough hook. Stir until incorporated.
• Gradually stir in as much of the remaining flour, until the dough begins to stay together in a ball and a moderately stiff dough is formed.
• Knead for 5 more minutes.
• Place dough in an oiled bowl and let it rise for 2 hours.
• Once the dough has doubled, punch down and roll it into a large rectangle, ½ inch thick.
• Cut the dough into 2x3 inch diamond shapes.
• Preheat the air fryer at 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes.
• Dip each rectangle into the ¼ cup melted butter, then place it in the air fryer basket.
• Bake at 350°F/175°C for 6 minutes, flipping at the halfway point.
• Remove from the air fryer basket and dust with powdered sugar and serve with raspberry dipping sauce (mix together raspberry jam and water until combined).

Recipe Notes

For best results, make sure your yeast is fresh and active. The dough should double in size during the rising period. If your kitchen is cool, place the dough in a slightly warm oven (turned off) to rise.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 217mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g

Recipe Adapted From: Blue Jean Chef