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beignets
beignets Beignets served with powdered sugar and sweet dipping sauces.

beignet

food
Written by
Laura Siciliano-Rosen
Laura Siciliano-Rosen is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City and the co-founder of the website Eat Your World (EYW), an original guide to regional foods and drinks around the globe. Launched...
Laura Siciliano-Rosen
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

beignet, French-style fried square doughnut. Introduced in Louisiana by the French Acadians in the 18th century, this light pastry is a delicacy in New Orleans. The beignet was named the official state doughnut of Louisiana in 1986.

Beignets are commonly served hot with powdered sugar for breakfast or as a dessert. They are made by deep-frying choux pastry dough, which puffs up when cooked. The word beignet loosely translates to “fritter” in English.

Laura Siciliano-Rosen