Beignet
A beignet is a type of deep-fried pastry associated with French cuisine and, especially in the United States, with New Orleans.
A beignet is a deep-fried pastry or fritter, typically square or round, and most often served hot with a dusting of powdered sugar. It is strongly associated with French cuisine and, in North America, with New Orleans.
What it is
Beignets are light, fried dough pastries made from choux pastry or yeast-leavened dough. They are commonly described as fritters or square doughnuts. The most familiar version is sweet and dusted with powdered sugar, but savoury variations also exist.
Why it matters
In the United States, beignets are a signature item of New Orleans cuisine, introduced by French settlers. Louisiana made the beignet its official state doughnut in 1986. In Canada, the term appears in dictionaries as a French-derived pastry, defined as a square deep-fried pastry with icing sugar.
Key details
The word beignet comes from French and translates to “fritter.” Older French forms refer to a bump or lump, describing the pastry’s puffed shape after frying. Beignets are commonly served for breakfast in New Orleans and are a well-known local speciality.
In short
- Beignet is a French term for a fried pastry or fritter.
- Most often served as a square or round doughnut dusted with powdered sugar.
- Strongly associated with New Orleans; Louisiana named it the official state doughnut in 1986.
- In Canadian English, it is defined as a square deep-fried pastry with icing sugar.
Beignets are familiar in Canadian English mainly as a French-derived pastry term, and Canadian dictionaries define them as a square deep-fried pastry or fritter dusted with icing sugar.[9]
Quick questions
What is a beignet?
Where are beignets most famous?
Are beignets always sweet?
Sources
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beignetSupports: Definition as fritter or light square doughnut usually sprinkled with powdered sugar.
- Dictionary.com — https://dictionary.com/browse/beignetSupports: Definition, New Orleans association, Louisiana state doughnut status, and etymology summary.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/beignetSupports: French-style fried square doughnut, Louisiana introduction, and state doughnut status.
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beignetsSupports: Plural definition as fritter or light square doughnut.
- The Free Dictionary — https://www.thefreedictionary.com/BeignetsSupports: Canadian usage note and square deep-fried pastry definition.
- — https://www.cambodiamond?