The Best Methods To Store, Freeze and Reheat Beignets
This Beignets Guide will teach you how to store and reheat beignets! Make your old and stale beignets taste as if they were freshly made!
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REHEAT BEIGNETS: The quickest way to heat up beignets is in the microwave. Place the beignet on a plate and microwave for 10-20 seconds. The best way to heat beignets is in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for five minutes.
As a certified dough lover, I am completely obsessed with these puffy square French doughnuts. Afterall, what’s there not to love about the taste of beignets? It is deep-fried dough and dusted with powdered sugar!
However, I know how sad it is when they are no longer warm and fresh! You can travel all the way to Cafe Du Monde and eat their famous beignets. Or, you can make air fryer beignets in the comfort of your own home.
But, at the end of the day once these hot beignets have been sitting out, they all become quite stale.
If you learn how to reheat them properly, then your old and stale beignets will taste as if they were a fresh batch fried in the French Quarter!
How Long Do Beignets Stay Fresh?
For as delicious as they are, you would think that they’d stay fresh and delicious for at least an hour. However, you’d be surprised!
Fresh beignets are only good for up to 30 minutes after they are fried. Once these French donuts are no longer warm, they start to taste stale.
That is why it is important to learn how to store, freeze and reheat these delicious beignets.
How To Store Beignet Dough
Storing beignet dough before it has been fried is the BEST option. With this method, you can make the dough ahead of time and then fry it when you and your family are ready to eat it.
If you made a lot of beignet dough but plan on eating only some of it in one sitting, you can store the dough in the fridge.
Simply mix all of the ingredients and follow the recipe instructions. You can store the dough after the first rise. (Note: Refer to my Baking With Yeast Guide if you are brand new to working with yeast doughs.)
To store the dough, place it in an oiled container and cover with plastic wrap. Place the bowl in the fridge.
Beignet dough will be good in the refrigerator for up to two days. You can fry the dough the next day.
Can You Freeze Beignet Dough
Yes! If you don’t plan on using the beignet dough within the next two days, then freezing it will be your best option.
To freeze the dough, follow the recipe and let the dough do its first rise. After the first rise, take the dough out of the container and wrap it with greased plastic wrap or place it inside a ziplock bag. Then, place the dough in the freezer.
How To Use Frozen Beignet Dough
To use the frozen beignet dough, simple defrost it overnight in the refrigerator. You can also defrost it on the counter at room temperature.
Once the dough has completely defrosted, follow the rest of the beignet recipe. I have a great air fryer Nutella Stuffed Beignets recipe that you can try with your dough!
Or, you can go the traditional route and deep fry the beignets.
How To Store Beignets
Let’s say that you have already fried your delicious French donuts. However, you cannot eat all of them. You have a ton of leftovers and want to save them to eat another day.
Depending on how soon you want to eat your remaining beignets, you can store them at room temperature, in the fridge, or in the freezer.
Is It Better To Dust Powdered Sugar Before Storing Or After Reheating Beignets?
In my experience, it is better to wait to dust the beignets with powdered sugar after you reheat them.
I have tried both methods and prefer to wait until after reheating. I still will store powdered beignets if there are any leftovers. However, I have found that the powdered sugar gets everywhere when reheating, especially in the air fryer. I’ll also need to redust them with more confectioner’s sugar after reheating, regardless of whether or not they were sugared to begin with.
How To Store Leftover Beignets In Room Temperature
To store at room temperature, you will need to first place them on paper towels. The paper towels will help absorb the oil. If you skip this step, your beignets might become too oily.
Afterwards, let the beignets cool down to room temperature. You do not want to store them when they are warm as the heat can create condensation, which will cause them to become soggy. You’ll also risk them developing mold.
Once they are at room temperature and no longer warm, pllace the beignets in an airtight container. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the container on a dry countertop.
Leftover beignets at room temperature will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days. If you need to store them longer than a couple of days, then you should store them in the fridge or freezer.
How To Store Leftover Beignets in The Fridge
If you plan on eating your leftovers a week from now, then storing them inside the refrigerator is your best bet.
To store in the fridge, simply wrap the beignets in plastic wrap or place in a ziplock bag.
Beignets will stay fresh in the fridge for up to one week.
I don’t recommend storing in the fridge for longer than one week as the risk of drying out goes up.
Can You Freeze Beignets?
Yes! As a matter of fact, freezing beignets is the best way to store them. It’s better than storing them in the fridge. Unlike storing in the fridge, you don’t risk your French donuts becoming stale or dry when you freeze them.
I recommend freezing beignets if you don’t plan on eating them for over one week.
How To Store Leftover Beignets in Freezer
To freeze beignets, simply wrap them in plastic wrap. You want to make sure that they are airtight inside the plastic wrap. Afterward, place the plastic wrap inside a freezer bag.
If you have a vacuum sealer machine such as the FoodSaver, you can use this machine instead of using a ziplock bag. When sealing, make sure to press the “Pulse” function so that your beignets do not get squished.
How Long Can You Freeze Beignets?
You can freeze beignets for up to three months. Any longer than three months and the beignets might develop freezer-burn. Once that happens, it is best to throw them away.
Can You Reheat Beignets?
Absolutely! Beignets are only good when they are warm. If you reheat beignets, they will taste just as good as when they were freshly made.
How To Reheat Beignets
There are several effective methods to reheat beignets so that they are fresh again. You can reheat them in the air fryer, the oven, or in the microwave.
How To Reheat Beignets In Air Fryer
The air fryer is the best method to reheat donuts. Since there is hot air circulating inside, the outside of the beignets becoming nice and toasted while the inside has that nice fluffy texture.
Air Fryer Steps: Set your air fryer to 350°F. Afterward, place the beignets in the basket and air fry for three minutes or until warm. It should only take a couple of minutes. The beignets should be golden brown on the outside.
Be careful not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you place too many beignets inside the basket, they will not heat up evenly. Make sure to work in small batches for best results.
How To Reheat Beignets In Oven
The oven method is another best option to reheat your beignets. In fact, it’s one of the best options for heating up breads and other yeast-based doughs.
Oven Steps: Place the rack in the center of the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the leftover beignets on the parchment paper and bake for five minutes or until warm.
How To Reheat Beignets In Microwave
For a quick reheat, use the microwave. Reheating in the microwave is the best option if you do not want to wait for the air fryer or oven to heat up.
Microwave Steps: To reheat in the microwave, place the beignets on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave for 10 second intervals until the beignet is warm.
How To Reheat Frozen Beignets
For best results, you will need to defrost your French donuts if they are frozen. To defrost, you can leave them in the fridge overnight. Another option is to let them defrost at room temperature on you kitchen counter.
After your frozen beignet is defrosted, you can follow the steps to reheat beignets in the air fryer, oven, or microwave.
Other Posts and Recipes You May Like
How To Reheat Donuts So They’re Fresh Again
Homemade Nutella Stuffed Beignets In The AirFryer
Easy Fried Sourdough Beignets Without Evaporated Milk (VIDEO)
Skillet Sourdough Fry Bread With Starter
Best Sourdough Apple Fritters Recipe
How To Heat Bread For Ultimate Freshness
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VIDEO – Best Air Fryer Beignets Recipe
Here’s how to make beignets in the air fryer. This beignet recipe is easy to make and requires minimal clean up!
Click here for the full Air Fryer Nutella Beignets Recipe
How To Reheat Beignets
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer or Oven optional
- 1 Microwave optional
Materials
- 1 Beignet
Instructions
Air Fryer Instructions
- Set your air fryer to 350°F.
- Place the beignets in the basket and air fry for three minutes or until warm. It should only take a couple of minutes.
- The beignets should be golden brown on the outside.
- Let cool for five minutes then serve.
Oven Instructions
- Place the rack in the center of the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the leftover beignets on the parchment paper and bake for five minutes or until warm.
- Let cool for five minutes and then serve.
Microwave Instructions
- Place the beignets on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave for 10 second intervals until the beignet is warm.
Notes
- Check out my post for a detail description, pictures and a helpful video.
- If you have leftovers, you can freeze them.
- Do not microwave for too long! Just like reheating donuts, beignets can turn tough and chewy if they are microwaved for too long.
