By

Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On September 4, 2025

If you're missing a classic New Orleans Mardi Gras favorite, these gluten free beignets will hit the spot. They're crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside.

Light, airy, and dusted with powdered sugar, they're also surprisingly easy to make at home using a few gluten free pantry staples. They're just so, so good.

The Best Gluten Free Beignets

Certain foods bring back nostalgia, and this is one of them. If you have ever been to a New Orleans cafe or (even better) to Mardi Gras, you may have tried these. They are lightly browned on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, and have a generous dusting of powdered sugar.

Now it's time to replicate them at home in gluten-free style. And, guess what? It is a snack or treat you'll love, ready in under 45 minutes. C'est bon!

We love making little treats like these, and if you do too, try these Gluten-Free Churros. Don't forget to make a chocolate dipping sauce. If you have a little bit more time available, these Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are amazing.

Why You’ll Love These Gluten Free Beignets

Nostalgic treat - As mentioned, it brings back all the New Orleans Mardi Gras vibes. And you can make them at home and create your own celebration.

Simple ingredients - Basic everyday pantry staples to create an amazing treat.

Best taste - These are pretty close to what my memories remember, and they're gluten-free. So no missing out.

Ingredients For This Gluten Free Beignet Recipe

With a few pantry staples and a simple process, you'll be enjoying these shortly.

• Warm water – Used to activate the yeast. Make sure it’s warm and not hot, as you will kill the yeast.
• Cane sugar – Feeds the yeast and adds sweetness to the dough.
• Dry active yeast – Gives the dough its rise and light texture.
• Large egg – Provides structure, richness, and helps bind the gluten-free flour together. I have not tested it with an egg replacer but it should work.
• Coconut milk – This plant-based milk adds moisture and creaminess. You can swap it for dairy milk if preferred.
• Gluten-free flour blend – Choose a 1:1 baking blend that already contains xanthan gum or another binding agent.
• Salt – It balances the sweetness and adds to the flavor.
• Butter (softened) – Adds richness and tenderness to the beignets.
• Vegetable oil – Use a neutral oil for frying. This helps make those crispy golden edges.
• Powdered sugar – For dusting on top. Adds the sweet finish we all love.

Equipment Needed

You need some large mixing bowls to bloom the yeast and make the dough. A rolling pin will come in use to roll the dough, and a sharp knife or dough cutter to slice the dough into squares.

A deep frying pan or Dutch oven for deep frying the beignets. I like to use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and then place them on a kitchen paper towel to remove excess oil. A fine mesh is great for dusting on the powdered sugar.

How to Make Gluten Free Beignets

This is a fairly simple process to follow, and you can visually see how the dough forms. If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments!

Prepare And Bloom The Yeast

In a small mixing bowl, add warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.

That foam is key for the tenderness!

In a separate large mixing bowl, add egg, milk, and yeast mixture, then stir to combine.

Mix The Flour And Form The Dough

Add flour and salt, mix until a dough forms. It will be soft and slightly sticky.

Stickiness is normal at this point. Just make sure it's soft. Then...

Add butter and mix until combined. You can see the consistency here.

Rest And Roll The Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or you can wait until it's slightly puffy.

This part is key, too. You'll want it to rise, so the beignets have the right texture.

Once that happens, you'll cut them. Make sure to dust a clean surface with flour first (otherwise they'll stick), and roll the dough to about ½ inch thickness.

Slice And Fry

Cut into squares (around 2x2 inches). You can make them a little smaller, but they'll cook faster.

Next is my favorite part. Use a pot to heat up some oil.

Then, fry the beignets in batches. You'll want to flip them once to make sure they're golden brown on both sides.

That should take about one or two minutes on each side. They'll just need to be lightly browned.

Remove with a slotted spoon, place on paper towels to drain. Immediately dust generously with powdered sugar.

Serving Ideas

Beignets can be served with so many things, here's a snapshot of some of our favorites:

• Serve warm on a platter, piled and dusted generously with powdered sugar. Pair with strong coffee or chicory coffee for a New Orleans–inspired treat.
• Offer small bowls of sauces alongside the beignets for dipping. Popular choices are chocolate ganache, salted caramel sauce, strawberry or raspberry coulis and vanilla glaze.
• Slice them open and fill with sweet fillings like pastry cream, Nutella, lemon curd, or jam.
• Cut the beignets in half and sandwich a scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream inside. Dust with cocoa powder or drizzle with chocolate syrup to make an ice cream sandwich beignets.
• Make a beignet sundae. Serve beignets in a bowl with ice cream, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and chopped nuts for a decadent dessert.

If you've never had them before, they're kind of like little New Orleans donuts. I like them with coffee!

However you serve them, you're in for a treat. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Tips For Making Gluten Free Beignets

So if you've never made these before, here are some things to consider:

• Fry a few at a time - Gluten-free dough absorbs oil faster than wheat. Frying too many at once drops the temperature, leading to greasy beignets. Stick to 4–5 pieces per batch and keep the oil steady around 350°F (180°C).
• Test the oil temperature - Drop one piece in the hot oil as a tester. Watch how it puffs, cooks, and browns. If it’s too dark outside but raw inside, lower your oil temp slightly. If it sinks and stays heavy, raise the temp a bit. Adjust before committing to the full batch.
• Cut with a sharp knife or bench scraper, not a cutter - Pressing with a cookie cutter can compress the gluten-free dough and prevent it from rising at the edges. A clean slice with a sharp blade allows the beignets to puff evenly when frying.
• Flip only once - Resist the urge to keep turning the beignets. Flipping once ensures even browning and prevents deflating delicate gluten-free dough bubbles.
• Fry in wide, shallow oil - A wider pot with 1–2 inches of oil gives beignets more surface contact, helping them expand outward instead of floating too high and staying dense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions we've answered to help you along the way.

Are Beignets Gluten Free?

No, not usually, but this recipe is, so you can enjoy it on a celiac diet without any concern. The only caution you need to take is to check the ingredients you use.

How long can you store gluten free beignets?

These are best served and eat immediately. You can however reheat them in the air fryer or in the microwave but they will not be as nice.

Where To Get Gluten Free Beignets In Disney World?

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World in Florida and craving gluten-free beignets, head to Scat Cat’s Club Café at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, French Quarter. Here, Cast Members can prepare fluffy rectangular gluten-free beignets on request, dusted with powdered sugar and often served with dipping sauces like strawberry, caramel, or chocolate ganache. Note that the sauces are also gf!

Thanks to Disney’s strong allergy protocols, they’re made with care in a safe environment. Wondering what else is Gluten-Free at Disneyland? There are plenty of safe dining options across the parks.

Continue to Content

Yield: 16 pieces

Gluten Free Beignets

Print

Make homemade gluten free beignets with this easy recipe. We tested it for authenticity in flavor and texture. Perfect with a dusting of powdered sugar!

Prep Time 35 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup warm water 
• 2 tbsp cane sugar
• 2 teaspoons dry active yeast
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup coconut milk 
• 1 ½ cups gluten free flour blend
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 tbsp soften butter
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• ½ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. In a small mixing bowl, add warm water, sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
2. In  a separate bowl, add egg, milk, and yeast mixture then stir to combine. Add flour and salt mix until a dough forms. It will be soft and slightly sticky (see the photo above). Add butter and mix until combined.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until slightly puffy.
4. Dust a clean surface with flour, roll the dough about ½ inch thickness. Cut into squares (around 2x2 inches).
5. Heat oil in a pot. Fry beignets in batches, flipping once, until golden brown on both sides about 1-2 minutes per side.
6. Remove with a slotted spoon, place on paper towels to drain.
7. Immediately dust generously with powdered sugar.

Notes

• Fry a few at a time - Gluten-free dough absorbs oil faster than wheat. Frying too many at once drops the temperature, leading to greasy beignets. Stick to 4–5 pieces per batch and keep the oil steady around 350°F (180°C).
• Test the oil temperature - Drop one piece in the hot oil as a tester. Watch how it puffs, cooks, and browns. If it’s too dark outside but raw inside, lower your oil temp slightly. If it sinks and stays heavy, raise the temp a bit. Adjust before committing to the full batch.
• Cut with a sharp knife or bench scraper, not a cutter - Pressing with a cookie cutter can compress the gluten-free dough and prevent it from rising at the edges. A clean slice with a sharp blade allows the beignets to puff evenly when frying.
• Flip only once - Resist the urge to keep turning the beignets. Flipping once ensures even browning and prevents deflating delicate gluten-free dough bubbles.
• Fry in wide, shallow oil - A wider pot with 1–2 inches of oil gives beignets more surface contact, helping them expand outward instead of floating too high and staying dense.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. They never cost you extra.

• 
  Kitchy Pizza Cutter Wheel
• 
  Farberware Classic Wood Rolling Pin
• 
  Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 102Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 56mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 0gSugar: 5gProtein: 2g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands used at the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.

If you make this gluten free beignets recipe, please consider stopping by and letting me know what you think.