If you’ve ever dreamed of bringing a touch of French café charm to your kitchen, this Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets Recipe is your golden ticket. Imagine fluffy, pillowy pockets of deep-fried dough infused with fragrant vanilla bean and delicate lavender, dusted generously with powdered sugar. These beignets are not only utterly delicious but also completely plant-based, making them a delightful treat for vegans and non-vegans alike. They’re perfect for lazy weekend mornings, special brunches, or anytime you want to spoil yourself with a little sweet magic that tastes like it was crafted in a Parisian patisserie.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making the perfect beignets might sound fancy, but the ingredients are refreshingly simple and play vital roles in creating that dreamy texture and beautiful flavor. Each one is chosen to bring balance, aroma, and that authentic French flair to this vegan dessert.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of your dough, providing structure and that classic beignet chewiness.
- Active Dry Yeast: Essential for that light, airy rise that makes these beignets irresistible.
- Cane Sugar: Adds a gentle sweetness and helps activate the yeast for perfect fermentation.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: A creamy, dairy-free base that keeps the beignets moist and tender.
- Vegan Butter: Melts into dough for richness and tender crumb without any animal products.
- Vanilla Bean: Seeds from one pod add warm, aromatic depth that transforms the flavor.
- Dried Culinary Lavender: Finely crushed to infuse a subtle floral elegance into every bite.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors beautifully.
- Powdered Sugar: For dusting—because no beignet is complete without a snowy crown of sweetness.
- Vegetable Oil: For deep frying, chosen for its neutral flavor and high smoke point to ensure perfectly golden beignets.
How to Make Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by warming your unsweetened almond milk until it’s just lukewarm, around 100°F to 110°F—that’s the perfect cozy temp to wake up your yeast. While you prepare the dough, keep your deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot ready but don’t heat the oil just yet. Having a cooling rack and paper towels set up is key to catching any excess oil once your beignets are fried.
Step 2: Activate the Yeast
Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the warm almond milk along with a pinch of the cane sugar. Let this mixture sit for about 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes a foamy, bubbly pool of promise—this means your yeast is alive and kicking, setting the stage for beautifully risen dough.
Step 3: Mix the Dough Ingredients
Stir in the melted vegan butter, the remaining cane sugar, the fragrant vanilla bean seeds, and that magical teaspoon of finely crushed dried lavender. Gradually add your flour and salt, combining everything into a shaggy dough. This step brings together the flavors and textures that will make these beignets truly unforgettable.
Step 4: Knead and Rise
Turn the shaggy dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6 to 8 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic, like a soft cloud you can stretch without tearing. Pop this dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rest in a warm, draft-free spot for about an hour and a half. It’s worth the wait as the dough doubles in size, becoming light and airy.
Step 5: Shape Your Beignets
Once your dough has risen, gently punch it down to release air bubbles, then roll it out on a floured surface to roughly 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2 to 3 inch squares using a sharp knife or pastry cutter. Place the pieces on a floured tray to keep them from sticking while you get your oil hot and ready.
Step 6: Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat your oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the beignets in small batches, turning them once, until they puff up and turn a gorgeous deep golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer them with a slotted spoon to a cooling rack lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. This is the moment they transform from dough to divine.
Step 7: The Final Flourish
While still warm, dust your beignets generously with powdered sugar. For that added touch of elegance and continuity in flavor, lightly sprinkle a tiny pinch of finely crushed lavender or drizzle a bit of lavender syrup on top. This elevates them from delicious to absolutely enchanting.
How to Serve Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets Recipe
Garnishes
Beignets are a canvas for creativity. Besides the classic powdered sugar, try a light dusting of crushed lavender flowers or a fine drizzle of vegan vanilla glaze to enhance the floral notes. A side of fresh berries or a dollop of coconut whipped cream also pairs beautifully.
Side Dishes
These beignets are a star, but serving them alongside lavender tea or a rich oat milk latte creates a charming café-style spread. Fresh fruit compote adds a burst of color and bright acidity that complements the sweet, floral flavors perfectly. For a little indulgence, don’t hesitate to offer a bowl of vegan chocolate sauce for dipping.
Creative Ways to Present
For a whimsical touch, stack the beignets pyramid-style on a pretty platter with sprigs of fresh lavender interspersed between. Use edible flowers for an Instagram-worthy look. Serving them warm in a beautiful basket lined with a soft cloth napkin also adds to the delight of the experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, store the beignets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’re best enjoyed fresh, but they’ll hold their charm for a short while if kept well covered.
Freezing
To freeze, let the beignets cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid before transferring to an airtight container or zip-top bag. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to two months, ready to enjoy whenever a beignet craving strikes.
Reheating
For the best results, reheat frozen or leftover beignets in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 to 7 minutes until warm and slightly crisp on the outside. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make them soggy. A gentle refresh like this will bring back their irresistible fluffiness.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of plant milk?
Absolutely! While this recipe uses unsweetened almond milk for its neutral flavor and creaminess, you can swap in oat, soy, or cashew milk. Just make sure it’s unsweetened to keep the sweetness balanced.
Is it necessary to use dried culinary lavender?
Dried culinary lavender is ideal because it’s safe for cooking and has a subtler flavor. Avoid lavender meant for potpourri or non-culinary uses, which can be treated with harmful substances.
Can I make these beignets gluten free?
Traditional beignets rely on gluten for their chewy texture, so substituting with gluten-free flour will require additional binders and adjustments. This recipe hasn’t been tested gluten-free, but experimenting with a gluten-free all-purpose blend and xanthan gum might yield good results.
What if I don’t have a deep fryer?
No worries! A heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven works perfectly. Just monitor your oil temperature with a thermometer to keep it steady around 350°F for the best frying outcome.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the dough up to the first rise and then refrigerate it overnight. Bring it back to room temperature before shaping and frying for best results.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the joy of biting into a warm, fluffy beignet with that enchanting blend of lavender and vanilla bean. This Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets Recipe will quickly become your go-to for special occasions and everyday indulgences alike. Whether you’re sharing with friends or treating yourself, these beignets bring a touch of magic to any moment. Don’t hesitate; dive in and make your kitchen smell like a French bakery today!
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Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets are a delicate and fragrant twist on the classic New Orleans treat. Light and airy, infused with floral lavender and rich vanilla, and fried to golden perfection, they are dusted with powdered sugar for an elegant, plant-based indulgence perfect for brunch or dessert.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one standard packet)
- 1/4 cup cane sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, warmed to lukewarm (100°F to 110°F)
- 1/4 cup vegan butter, melted
- Seeds from 1 vanilla bean pod
- 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender, finely crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For Frying and Finishing
- Vegetable oil, enough for deep frying (about 4 cups or as needed)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Start by warming your kitchen and prepping your cooking tools. Have a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer ready but do not heat the oil yet. Prepare a cooling rack lined with paper towels for draining fried beignets.
- Warm the Almond Milk: Heat the almond milk until lukewarm, between 100°F and 110°F, ensuring it’s warm but not hot to activate the yeast properly.
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, sprinkle the active dry yeast over the warm almond milk along with a small pinch of the cane sugar. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until frothy and foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the melted vegan butter, the remaining cane sugar, vanilla bean seeds, and crushed lavender into the yeast mixture. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing until a rough, shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6 to 8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1 1/2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Beignets: After the dough has risen, gently punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into approximately 2 1/2 to 3 inch squares using a sharp knife or pastry cutter. Arrange the cut pieces on a floured tray.
- Heat the Oil: Heat vegetable oil in your heavy pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to ensure consistent temperature for perfect frying.
- Fry the Beignets: Fry the cut dough pieces in small batches, flipping once, for about 2 to 3 minutes per side or until they are puffed and a deep golden brown color. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to the cooling rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Finish with Powdered Sugar: While still warm, dust the beignets generously with powdered sugar. Optionally, sprinkle a tiny pinch of finely crushed lavender or drizzle with lavender syrup for extra flavor and presentation.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the beignets immediately while warm. Complement them with lavender tea, an oat milk latte, fresh fruit compote, or vegan chocolate sauce for dipping to create a delightful experience.
Notes
- Ensure the almond milk is not too hot; overheating can kill the yeast.
- Use fresh, finely crushed culinary lavender to avoid bitterness.
- Kneading is important to develop gluten and achieve the perfect texture.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for even frying and to prevent greasy beignets.
- Do not overcrowd the fryer to keep oil temperature stable.
- Serve beignets fresh for the best texture—crispy outside and light inside.
- Lavender syrup can be homemade or store-bought for drizzling.
