If you have a soft spot for anything light, fluffy, and utterly delightful, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets Recipe. It’s a dreamy twist on traditional beignets, bringing together the floral sweetness of lavender and the cozy warmth of vanilla bean in every pillowy bite. Perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or a special treat, these vegan beignets capture the magic of French patisserie while staying plant-based and accessible. Let’s dive into this irresistible recipe that’s bound to become a new favorite in your kitchen!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets Recipe is in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a key role in building layers of flavor, texture, and aroma that make the beignets so memorable.
- Warm almond or oat milk: This plant milk creates a gentle, creamy base that activates the yeast.
- Active dry yeast: The magic behind the fluffy texture and perfect rise.
- Sugar: Sweetness for the dough and to feed the yeast, plus added for coating.
- Salt: Balances flavors and enhances depth.
- Vanilla bean paste: Provides a rich, authentic vanilla flavor that elevates the beignets.
- Dried culinary lavender: Ground to release its gentle floral notes that pair beautifully with vanilla.
- All-purpose flour: The structure of the beignets, adjusted for perfect tenderness.
- Melted coconut oil or vegan butter: Adds moisture and a hint of richness.
- Vegetable oil for frying: The crispy golden exterior is achieved here.
- Sugar, ground lavender, and vanilla bean powder (optional): For dusting, adding an extra burst of flavor and charm.
How to Make Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets Recipe
Step 1: Activate the yeast
Start by warming your almond or oat milk—just warm enough to be cozy, not hot—and combine it with sugar in a bowl. Sprinkle the yeast on top, give it a gentle stir, and then let the magic happen as it becomes foamy within 5 to 10 minutes. This shows your yeast is alive and ready to work wonders on your dough.
Step 2: Mix the dough
Next, add salt, the fragrant vanilla bean paste, ground lavender, and melted coconut oil to your yeast mixture. Slowly incorporate the flour, half a cup at a time, until your dough begins to come together as a soft, elastic ball. Knead it for about 5 to 7 minutes, adjusting with a little more flour if your dough feels too sticky. This step develops the gluten, giving your beignets that perfect airy chew.
Step 3: Let it rise
Place your dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Set it somewhere warm and cozy, allowing it to rise until doubled in size—usually about one hour. This rise is crucial to achieve the light, fluffy texture that makes beignets so special.
Step 4: Shape your beignets
Once your dough has risen beautifully, roll it out on a floured surface to about a quarter-inch thickness. Cut the dough into your preferred shapes—squares or rounds around two inches wide—ready for frying. Take your time here to create uniform pieces that will cook evenly.
Step 5: Fry the beignets
Heat your vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully drop a few beignets at a time into the hot oil, frying each side for 1 to 2 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to lift them out, and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate to keep them crispy and light.
Step 6: Coat with lavender vanilla sugar
In a bowl, mix sugar with ground lavender and vanilla bean powder if you like an extra vanilla kick. While the beignets are still warm, roll each one generously in this fragrant sugar mixture, coating them with that final touch of floral sweetness that defines this recipe.
Step 7: Enjoy!
Serve your beignets warm for the best experience, with an additional dusting of the lavender sugar if you’re feeling indulgent. Each bite is like a tender hug wrapped in the comforting scents of vanilla and lavender. Enjoy this Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets Recipe as a perfect treat for yourself or to impress your guests with a plant-based French classic.
How to Serve Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets Recipe
Garnishes
If you want to add extra flair, consider fresh edible lavender sprigs, a light dusting of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of agave nectar to enhance the floral and sweet flavors. These garnishes turn your beignets into a beautiful centerpiece that looks as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
Pair these beignets with a warm cup of herbal tea, like chamomile or earl grey, to complement the subtle lavender notes. Alternatively, plant-based whipped cream or fruit preserves, such as blueberry or peach jam, can add a lovely contrast and extra flavor layers without overwhelming the delicacy of the beignets.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve them stacked high on a pretty platter with a small bowl of lavender sugar on the side for guests to sprinkle as they please. Another fun idea is to serve the beignets alongside a homemade vanilla vegan custard or a lavender-infused dipping sauce for a luxurious twist that your friends will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep leftover beignets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To maintain some of their crispiness, place a paper towel between layers to absorb any excess moisture. They won’t be exactly like fresh but will still delight your taste buds through.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze your beignets in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a resealable freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. This way, you have a plant-based indulgence ready to pop whenever sweet cravings strike.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the beignets in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes to revive their softness and crisp exterior. Avoid microwaving as it can make them chewy. A quick re-toast brings back much of their original charm and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use a different plant milk?
Absolutely! Almond or oat milk works beautifully, but you can substitute any unsweetened plant milk like soy, cashew, or rice milk. Just make sure it’s warm when activating the yeast for the best rise.
What if I don’t have vanilla bean paste?
No worries at all. Pure vanilla extract can be swapped in, though the paste gives a more intense vanilla flavor with little vanilla specks that make it special. If using extract, use a teaspoon for a lovely result.
Do I have to use lavender? Can I leave it out?
You can leave out lavender if it’s not your thing, but it really elevates the beignets with a delicate floral note that pairs perfectly with vanilla. If you prefer, try substituting with lemon zest or cardamom for an intriguing flavor twist.
Is there a way to bake these instead of frying?
While traditional beignets are fried for that classic light and crisp texture, you can bake them at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes until golden. They won’t be quite the same, but still delicious and less oily.
How can I make sure my dough rises properly?
Make sure your milk is warm but not hot to touch, and that your yeast is fresh. Proof the yeast first—they should get foamy in about 10 minutes. Also, find a warm, draft-free spot for rising and give the dough enough time to double in size.
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets Recipe is a wonderful way to bring a little bit of French elegance and comforting sweetness into your home, all while keeping things plant-based. The dance of lavender and vanilla in these golden pockets of joy will make you excited to roll up your sleeves and start frying. Trust me, once you try these beignets fresh and warm, you’ll want to make them again and again!
Print
Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 0 minutes
- Yield: 10 beignets
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Lavender Vanilla Bean French Beignets are light, fluffy, and infused with aromatic lavender and sweet vanilla. Perfectly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, these beignets are vegan-friendly and fried to golden perfection before being coated in a fragrant lavender sugar blend. A delightful treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert that brings a floral twist to a classic French pastry.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup warm almond or oat milk
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
- 1 tsp dried culinary lavender, ground
- 2 1/2 – 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp melted coconut oil or vegan butter
Frying
- Vegetable oil for frying
Coating
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp dried lavender, ground
- 1/2 tsp vanilla bean powder (optional)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a mixing bowl, combine warm almond or oat milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top, stir gently, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Add salt, vanilla bean paste, ground lavender, and melted coconut oil to the yeast mixture. Gradually incorporate the flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Add more flour if the dough feels too sticky.
- Proof Dough: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. This step helps develop a light texture.
- Shape Beignets: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to roughly 1/4-inch thickness. Cut the dough into squares or rounds about 2 inches in size to prepare for frying.
- Heat Oil and Fry: In a deep skillet or pot, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add a few beignets at a time to the hot oil, frying each side for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried beignets to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Prepare Coating: In a bowl, mix together the sugar, ground lavender, and vanilla bean powder if using. While the beignets are still warm, roll them thoroughly in the lavender sugar mixture to coat.
- Serve: Enjoy the beignets warm, optionally with an extra dusting of lavender sugar for enhanced flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use warm milk to properly activate the yeast; too hot or cold can inhibit fermentation.
- Ensure vegetable oil is at the correct temperature to prevent greasy or undercooked beignets.
- Ground lavender should be culinary grade to avoid bitterness.
- You can substitute vanilla bean paste with vanilla extract but the paste provides stronger flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat briefly to restore crispness.
- Adjust flour amount as needed depending on humidity and flour type to get the right dough consistency.
