Popular in New Orleans, beignets are a delicious French or Italian pastry. Basically they are very similar to donuts, they taste just like them. They are deep fried fritters, often made in small squares or circles (sort of like donut holes) dusted with powdered sugar. They are served as a breakfast treat, pairing wonderfully with coffee or tea, and they are also considered a dessert.
Beignets are best when they are served freshly made, hot out of the fryers and freshly dusted with sugar. However, you can keep them fresh for 2-3 days if you keep them in an airtight container. You can also freeze fresh beignets for 1-2 months.
There are two ways you can really keep beignets fresh, if you can’t eat them right away. You could either keep them in your fridge, or freeze them. You can also leave them on your countertop for 2-3 days, however they may become stale more quickly this way.
Fridge
First place your freshly bought beignets in an air-tight container.
Store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer
Place beignets on a flat surface, layered in parchment paper
Let the beignets freeze for 2-3 hours
Remove beignets from the freezer, then transfer them to a freezer bag or air-tight container
Store in the freezer for 2-3 months
How To Thaw Beignets
Thawing beignets is not hard, you have two options.
The best way to thaw beignets is to let them thaw naturally
Keep them in their air-tight container (that they were frozen in) and place them in the fridge or on the counter until they are thawed.
How To Reheat Beignets
Beignets are not very good eaten cold, right out of the fridge and certainly can’t be eaten frozen. There are a few ways you can reheat them, all similar to the way you can reheat donuts.
Oven
The oven is the most popular and the best way to reheat beignets. It holds the flavor and the pastries won’t lose their fluffy texture.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
Place beignets on a wire rack (best option) or baking sheet
If beignets have gotten stale, sprinkle them with water and cover them with tin foil
Bake them for 5 minutes, remove the tin foil immediately
Add extra powdered sugar to serve
Skillet
The skillet works as an option to reheat beignets, however it adds a new crunchier shell around the pastry that takes away from the original dessert.
Grease a non-stick frying pan with butter
Drop your beignet(s) in and lightly fry on medium high heat
1 minute for each side of the beignet
Add extra powdered sugar to serve
Air Fryer
The air fryer is perhaps my favorite way to reheat beignets, as I find it’s quick, effective and they taste practically just as good as they do freshly made. You must take extreme caution using the air fryer and keep a close eye on the beignets. One minute cooked too long and the pastries could be completely ruined.
Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F.
Place beignets in a single layer in the air fryer wire basket
The final option you have is to reheat the beignets using the microwave. THe microwave works, but sometimes tends to make the beignets too dry and chewy if you do not time it correctly.
Place beignets on a microwave safe plate
Heat them in 5 minute intervals until they are to your desired liking
Add extra powdered sugar to serve
Final Thoughts
Although beignets are best when they are eaten freshly made, they can easily be stored and kept fresh if stored correctly. By either placing them in the fridge, or in an air-tight container in the freezer, they can last for up to 3 months! Plus, they can be easily reheated and enjoyed at any time.
