Mardi Gras Beignet Bites with Rainbow Powder

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Crispy, golden beignets dusted with vibrant, edible sugar for a playful twist on New Orleans' iconic treat. This new orleans-inspired kid friendly ready in about 60 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.2 (9 ratings) Prep: 45 min Cook: 15 min Serves 8 New Orleans cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 3 tbsp sugar, and 2 1/4 tsp yeast; whisk to blend. Heat 1 cup warm milk and 2 tbsp melted butter until steaming, then pour over dry ingredients and add 1 beaten egg, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  2. Step 2: Knead dough on a floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth, then cover and let rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  3. Step 3: Divide dough into 16 equal pieces, roll each into 1-inch balls, and flatten slightly with a fork. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let rise for 20 minutes until puffy.
  4. Step 4: Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F. Fry 4 beignets at a time for 1.5 minutes per side until golden brown, turning carefully with a slotted spoon.
  5. Step 5: While hot, toss 1 cup powdered sugar with 10 drops red, yellow, and blue food coloring in a small bowl. Immediately dust fried beignets with the colored sugar until evenly coated.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Mardi Gras Beignet Bites with Rainbow Powder take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (45 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Mardi Gras Beignet Bites with Rainbow Powder?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mardi Gras Beignet Bites with Rainbow Powder?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Mardi Gras Beignet Bites with Rainbow Powder for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Mardi Gras Beignet Bites with Rainbow Powder?

New Orleans kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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