What exactly are Easy Air Fryer Beignets you ask? I would describe these little tasty delights as a cross between a New York Zeppole and a Dunkin Donuts Glazed Munchkin.
Only 12 minutes in the air fryer for the perfect weight watchers dessert recipe.
Air Fryer Beignets
I know that sounds extremely high in fat and calories, but not these Low Calorie Beignets. This Low Calorie Air Fryer Dessert is only 52 calories and less than 1 gram of fat.
Your typical Italian Zeppole has 272 calories and 25 grams of fat...so this is the perfect swap.
The best Beignet recipes are from New Orleans Louisiana. Beignets are commonly served for breakfast there with powdered sugar on top.
They are traditionally prepared right when you are ready to eat so they are fresh and warm.
Are Beignets only Eaten in New Orleans?
Absolutely not! They make delicious Beignet recipes in New York City. They have Beignets in Houston, Beignets in Chicago, Kansas City and they even have Beignets in Disneyland.
Next time you are visiting one of these cities make sure you look for this French Quarter Breakfast Dessert.
What Restaurant serves World Famous Beignets?
The best Beignets are served at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans. They specialize in the most delicious Beignet Recipes served with powdered sugar and coffee with chicory, and cafe au lait.
Beignets were declared the official state doughnut of Louisiana in 1986.
How do you Pronounce the word Beignet?
The word Beignet is traditionally French, and the correct way say it is "BEN-yay"
Why do Kids Love this Easy Beignet Recipe?
If you have not seen Disney's Princess and the Frog Movie and you have kids make sure you put it on your list of things to watch.
If you have seen it you know Princess Tiana had her specialty Beignet Recipe and her dream of opening up a restaurant which inspired me to try out this easy Air Fryer Beignet Dessert.
Can I Add a Filling to my Beignets?
Yes you can. Add some farm fresh Apple or Strawberry Jam. Just take a spoonful of your favorite filling and then roll the dough.
Can you Make Air Fryer Beignets without a Mold?
Absolutely, no molds are needed for this Air Fryer Beignet Recipe. You can easily grab a small piece of dough about the size of a golf ball and roll it into a small ball with your hands…super easy!!
Are you a Weight Watcher?
If you follow my Blog you probably already know I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers and I like to point all of my Recipes with the WW Smart Points System.
These Easy Air Fryer Beignets are only 2 Smart Points for one plain Beignet. One teaspoon of powdered sugar is 1 Smart Point. Weight Watchers has 3 New Programs right now to make it easier to enjoy the foods you love and still lose weight.
I was following the Purple Plan which was good but a little too lenient for me so I have switched over to the Blue Plan for a little more control. If you want the new WW Food Lists for each plan just click here.
Do you Need Help Planning Healthy Meals just Click Here?
Do you Need a Jumpstart with your Weightloss? Click Here if you DO😁
If you are looking for an easy way get a jump on dropping some pounds before the warm weather arrives I highly recommend you try my 30 Day Meal Plan. It is a simple Low Carb Meal Plan with over 90 Fat Burning Recipes to help you get that quick win, drop up to 5 lbs in one week.
I use it every 3 months as a re boot, sometimes the body gets to used to the same foods all the time and the weight starts creeping up again. Don’t let it happen..try this 30 Day Plan…it’s easy and worth it..challenge yourself to do it for 30 days then go back to your WW or just eating good!! If you want to give it a try Click Here !
What Kitchen Tools do I need for this Beignet Recipe?
What is the Best Oil to Fry Beignets?
At the World Famous Cafe Du Monde they use cottonseed oil to fry Beignets. For this Easy Air Fryer Beignet Recipe you only need a couple of spritz's of Olive Oil.
Why Air Fry?
I love my Air Fryer and use it several times a week, it has become a staple in my kitchen. Cooking with an Air Fryer is better for your health, deep fried foods are loaded with fat and calories which can lead to serious health conditions.
With the Air Fryer you only use a couple of sprays of Olive Oil which makes your meals in the Air Fryer much lighter. You will not feel bloated and lethargic after you eat like you would after a greasy burger and fries.
How Long does it take to Air Fry?
Most dishes prepared in the Air Fryer can be prepared in a fraction of the time that they would take in a traditional oven. If you are always on the go and do not have a lot of time to spend cooking than an Air Fryer is perfect for you.
Is an Air Fryer easy to clean?
When you finish cooking in your Air Fryer there is no excess grease to clean up or discard like you would have if were traditionally frying. No oil splatters on the stove or countertops. Just remove your basket and rinse with soap and water easy peasy!
What should you not cook in an Air Fryer?
Any food with a wet batter should not be placed in the Air Fryer, like corndogs or tempura shrimp. Also Raw rice and other grains will not cook evenly in an air fryer, even when using a special pan-insert.
Can you Make Donuts in an Air Fryer?
You sure can!! Donuts in the Air Fryer taste Delicious. Click here for my Easy Air Fryer Donut Recipe.
What Ingredients do I need to Make these Easy Air Fryer Beignets?
⅜ Cup of Lukewarm Water
2 Tablespoons of Sugar plus one pinch extra - you can use a sugar alternative like Zing.
¾ Teaspoon 0f Active Dry Yeast
2 Cups of All Purpose Flour
¼ Teaspoon of Salt
1 Tablespoon of Unsalted Butter, at room temperature, cubed.
1 Egg Lightly Beaten
3 Tablespoons of Evaporated Milk.
Confectioner's Sugar when serving
Instructions to Make the Air Fryer Beignet Recipe:
1: Stir together water, 1 pinch sugar and yeast in a bowl. Let prove in a warm place until frothy, 5-10 minutes.
2: Combine flour, salt, butter and 2 tablespoons of sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add a beaten egg, evaporated milk and yeast mixture, stirring well until a rough, sticky dough comes together; add more flour if needed to help it hold together.
3: Transfer to an oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 ½-2 hours.
4: After rising, divide and shape dough into small round balls. Spritz all over with cooking spray.
5: Preheat Air Fryer 360 Degrees F. Spritz the Air Fryer basket with cooking spray as well.
6: Working in two batches, arrange dough in basket. Cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown all over.
7: Remove from Air Fryer and keep warm under aluminum foil as you cook remaining beignets.
8: When ready, serve with a light dusting of confectioner's sugar.
Easy Air Fryer Beignets - Low Calorie Dessert
- Total Time: 47 minutes
- Yield: 24 Beignets 1x
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Beignets are a traditional breakfast in New Orleans. This version is made with smaller balls of dough instead of the Classic Rectangular Pillows and half the calories.
Ingredients
- ⅜ Cup of Lukewarm Water
- 2 Tablespoons of Sugar plus one pinch extra - you can use a sugar alternative like Zing.
- ¾ Teaspoon 0f Active Dry Yeast
- 2 Cups of All Purpose Flour
- ¼ Teaspoon of Salt
- 1 Tablespoon of Unsalted Butter, at room temperature, cubed.
- 1 Egg Lightly Beaten
- 3 Tablespoons of Evaporated Milk.
- Cooking Spray
- Confectioner's Sugar when serving
Instructions
- Stir together water, 1 pinch sugar and yeast in a bowl. Let prove in a warm place until frothy, 5-10 minutes.
- Combine flour, salt, butter and 2 tablespoons of sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add a beaten egg, evaporated milk and yeast mixture, stirring well until a rough, sticky dough comes together; add more flour if needed to help it hold together.
- Transfer to an oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 ½-2 hours.
- After rising, divide and shape dough into small round balls. Spritz all over with cooking spray.
- Preheat Air Fryer 360 Degrees F. Spritz the Air Fryer basket with cooking spray as well.
- Working in two batches, arrange dough in basket. Cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown all over.
- Remove from Air Fryer and keep warm under aluminum foil as you cook remaining beignets.
- When ready, serve with a light dusting of confectioner's sugar.
Notes
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from an online calculator which attempts to provide accurate nutritional information. Varying factors such as product types and brands can change nutritional information in any given recipe. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Beignet
- Calories: 52
- Sugar: 1.3 g
- Sodium: 29.5 mg
- Fat: 0.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 9.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 9 mg
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. See my full disclosure policy here.
If you like this Low Cal Dessert check out my Chocolate Bon Bon Recipe Here
Lisa G.
Loved these they tasted just like mini donuts!