These delicious and easy Mini Blueberry Beignets, are bite-sized beignets, dotted with blueberries and generously dusted with powdered sugar.
With these easy and delicious mini blueberry beignets, you can pretend it's Mardi Gras any time! Wonderful for breakfast, with your afternoon tea or serve them as a lovely dessert with a lemon mascarpone dip.
Beignets are super easy to make, though they do involve deep frying. As I've mentioned before, I've been a happy deep-fryer ever since I bit the bullet and invested in a small deep fryer. It's much safer and it keeps the oil at a constant temperature for me, so I never need to worry about that. I highly recommend it!
Cook's Notes
You can make the beignets ahead and store in an air-tight container, but don't dust with powdered sugar until right before serving (as it has a tendency to melt and disappear over time). These beignets would be lovely with a dip, as well. I'm thinking a lemon mascarpone dip would be delicious with these.
These beignets freeze beautifully, so don't hesitate to stick a few in the freezer to enjoy later!
Blueberry Beignets
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry or instant yeast
- 3/4 cup water, warm, (110 degrees F°)
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 large egg, beated
- 2 tsp vanilla extract , or vanilla bean paste
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
- 2 Tbsp vegetable shortening, (can substitute soft butter)
- 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
- Vegetable Oil for Frying
- Powdered Sugar, in a shaker or sifter
Instructions
- Combine the yeast, water and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. (Or use a food processor, or the old fashioned way, by hand). Let this sit until frothy, about 5 minutes, then add the salt, egg, vanilla, lemon zest and evaporated milk.
- Mix on low speed until combined. Add 3 cups of the flour until the dough starts to come together a bit, the add the shortening. When the shortening is incorporated, start adding the remaining flour, a little at a time until most of it is incorporated (you may not need all of it). Turn the dough onto a floured work surface. Knead the dough adding just enough flour as necessary to make a non-sticky, smooth dough.
- Place the dough into a large, oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise until the dough doubles in size.
- After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and turn it onto a floured surface. Roll out into a thin rectangle that is about 1/4″ thick. (If using frozen blueberries, toss with a Tbsp. or two of flour, before scattering on dough). Scatter the blueberries over one half of the dough, then fold the uncovered half over top to cover. Lightly pinch the edges (so the blueberries don't escapand roll dough until about 1/2-inch thick. With a very sharp knife working at a diagonal to the rectangle, cut into 1″ wide strips. Now cut into diamond shapes by making diagonal cuts (of 1-inch wide)in the opposite direction. Cover completely with clean tea towels and let rise about 40 minutes in a warm place.
- When the Beignets have risen, heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy pan to 350-360 degrees. Place as many beignets as will fit in a not-to-crowded single layer into the hot oil, being careful not to pierce, smash or deflate them. When they are golden brown, flip them over until golden brown on the other side. Remove to paper towel lined plates to drain and cool.
- When ready to serve, top with plenty of powdered sugar. (Can be made ahead and stored in an air-tight container. Don't dust with powdered sugar until right before serving).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.
Peter says
These are to die for jennifer , I looooove blueberries in all forms and they are so good for your health .
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Peter :)
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
These beignets look irresistible!! I love fried dough in any size or shape and seriously would not be able to stop eating these once I start.
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Thao :)
Alexandra @ Confessions of a Bright-Eyed Baker says
These look incredible! And so cute too! ♡
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Alexandra (love your heart :)
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
These are fantastic, Jennifer! Perfect way to celebrate the arrival of a new baby boy! Or you know, just for me to eat the whole batch by myself...
Jennifer says
Thanks Liz :)
June Burns says
Those look perfect!! I need to save this recipe for when I have some fresh blueberries on hand, they sound absolutely scrumptious :)
Jennifer says
Thanks June. These would be a great destination for your fresh blueberries :)
Jasmin says
These little beignets look so tempting, I think that Jan will be pleased :)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Jasmin :)
Jessie @ Straight to the Hips, Baby says
These are adorable! I love the idea of the blueberries popping with each bite. Great concept!
Jennifer says
Thanks Jessie. A little fruit is always nice, I think :)
Brittaney @ Sips and Snacks says
I love the idea of the burst of blueberries in these! They sound delicious and look beautiful!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Brittaney :)
Charmian @ The Messy Baker says
I love the idea of bite-sized beignets. Lovely photos as well -- suitably messy!
Jennifer says
Thanks Charmian. I'm quite a messy baker, too ;)
Emily @ Life on Food says
These look amazing. I am trying to avoid deep fryer much to my husband's dismay but if I could make these babies. Well, I just might change my mind.
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Emily :)
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
I want to take a photography course from you!
Jennifer says
Thanks Sue :) Hard to take a bad picture of beignet. They're very photogenic!
Kate says
Divine! I don't go in for huge amounts of deep fat frying but I am very partial to a beignet, especially one stuffed with juicy blueberries and dusted in icing sugar!
Jennifer says
Thanks Kate. I love beignet, as well :)
[email protected] says
Oh these look heavenly, Jennifer! I am still on the fence about investing in a deep fryer. I haven't deep fried a thing in my life!! Tempted though. :-)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Julia. There are times when only a deep-fryer will do :)
Louisa says
I love beignets, and the blueberry twist on these is genius, Jennifer! What a fabulous treat to "bring" to the shower.
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Louisa :)
Jan @ Family Bites says
Thank you so much for "coming" to the shower - I'm so glad you were a part of it and I'm completely blown away by these baby beignets. I don't have a deep-fryer but this recipe alone makes me want to purchase one. Thanks again for your kind words - we're pretty lucky to be expecting this new addition to our family and all four of us are anxious for his arrival! xo
Jennifer says
My pleasure, Jan. Can't wait to see baby pictures :)
Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.) says
Oh my these are absolutely PERFECT :) Love bite sized treats!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Mardi :)
Britt @ My Daily Randomness says
Oh my goodness these sound (and look) amazing! I am putting these on my list of recipes to try! Could you easily substitute chopped apples for the blueberries?
Jennifer says
Thanks Britt and yes, absolutely, chopped apples would be great (and maybe a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the dough :)
Isabelle @ Crumb says
These beignets are simply adorable, Jennifer! It's a good thing my deep fryer is buried somewhere in the back of my storage space, or else I'd probably be whipping up a batch as we speak. :)
I'll have to settle for enjoying them virtually instead, which is probably for the best anyways, at least as far as my waistline is concerned.
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Isabelle. I virtually eat all the time, too :)
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
What adorable beignets, I love the mini size!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Laura :)
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Those baby blues sure are gorgeous! Nothing better than warm donuts or beignets in the morning. And the blueberry flavour makes them that much better!
Jennifer says
Thanks Katrina. They were great with my morning coffee :)
Jessica | A Happy Food Dance says
These are gorgeous Jennifer and I love the virtual baby shower! I should totally invest in a little deep-fryer, but then I think I'd be deep frying EVERYTHING!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Jessica. I thought I'd be a deep-frying fiend too, Jessica, but I don't use it a ton. Deep frying is still a bit of an process, even with a deep fryer, so I tend to save it just for the really good stuff :)
Millie | Add A Little says
Looks amazing - love the blueberry bursts!
Jennifer says
Thanks Millie. Yes, some of those blueberries absolutely busted right out of these beignets :)
Christina says
I have a deep fryer that was an impulse buy from Costco about a year ago. These beignets are a perfect reason to bring it out. I think I would devour about half of them in one sitting.
Jennifer says
I don't use my deep-fryer a ton, Christina, but every time I do, I'm so glad I have one :) And yes, I think you should definitely bust it out and enjoy some of these!
Libby says
Wow! Love it. Addictive and sweet. Charming and messy! Just like a real life baby!
Jennifer says
Thanks Libby and how true :)