If you’re craving a treat that combines the comforting richness of coffee with the irresistible lightness of French pastries, these Glazed Coffee Beignets are your dream come true. Imagine golden, pillowy squares of dough fried to perfection, then dipped in a luscious coffee-infused glaze that sings with every bite. This recipe elevates the classic beignet by incorporating bold dark coffee both into the dough and the glaze, creating layers of flavor that are simply unforgettable. Whether you’re serving them for brunch, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a sweet nightcap, these beignets bring a warm hug to your taste buds.

Glazed Coffee Beignets Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role, from the robust coffee that adds depth to the dough, to the sugar and vanilla that create a glaze so addictive you’ll want to dip every beignet twice. The ingredients are straightforward and easy to find, yet combined thoughtfully, they deliver incredible texture, flavor, and that beautiful golden color you expect from a perfect beignet.

Ground dark coffee: Provides a rich, intense coffee flavor that infuses the dough with warmth and complexity.

Cold water: Helps extract the coffee essence during brewing without bitterness.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and feeds the yeast for a light, airy rise.

Active dry yeast: Essential for that fluffy texture that makes beignets so irresistible.
All-purpose flour: Forms the perfect base—strong enough for structure but tender enough for a soft bite.

Warm half and half: Enriches the dough, making it tender and slightly creamy.
Large eggs: Help bind the dough and contribute to its tenderness and color.
Butter, melted: Adds a subtle richness and a velvety crumb.

Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Vegetable oil: For frying to golden perfection with a light crisp outer layer.
Confectioners’ sugar: The base of the glaze, providing delicate sweetness and smooth texture.

Vanilla extract: Adds a warm aromatic touch to the coffee glaze.

How to Make Glazed Coffee Beignets

Step 1: Brew Your Coffee Base

Start by brewing your coffee with 3/4 cup of ground dark coffee and 3 cups of cold water. This bold coffee becomes the heart of both your dough and glaze, carrying that signature depth of flavor through every bite. After brewing, carefully set aside half a cup for the glaze, so you get that perfectly balanced coffee note in your finishing touch.

Step 2: Activate the Yeast

In a large mixing bowl, combine your sugar and yeast. Gradually pour in 1 ½ cups of the warm coffee you brewed, which should be between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit—just warm enough to awaken the yeast without killing it. Let this mixture rest for about 10 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly; this means your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic on the dough.

Step 3: Mix the Dough

With a stand mixer on low speed, slowly add half of your flour along with the half and half, beaten eggs, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Once combined, gradually blend in the remaining flour, a half cup at a time, until your dough forms a smooth ball that no longer sticks to the bowl. Remove it from the mixer and knead on a lightly floured surface for around 2 minutes if needed, aiming for a soft but manageable dough.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise

Coat a large bowl with nonstick spray, place your dough inside, and cover it with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Set the bowl in a warm spot and allow your dough to rise for about an hour. It will puff up deliciously, although it doesn’t have to double in size. This brief rise is what gives the beignets their airy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 5: Prepare the Coffee Glaze

While your dough is rising, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, reserved half cup of brewed coffee, and vanilla extract until smooth. This glaze perfectly complements the coffee flavor in the dough, delivering a sweet, shiny coating that sets these beignets apart from any other. Cover the glaze with plastic wrap and set it aside until you’re ready to dip your warm beignets.

Step 6: Cut and Fry the Beignets

Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and gently roll it into a 1/4-inch thickness. Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into 1 1/2-inch squares, the perfect bite size. Heat your vegetable oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit in a deep fryer or heavy pot. Fry about four pieces at a time, cooking each beignet for roughly one minute on each side until they turn golden and puff up majestically. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on wire racks over paper towels to catch excess oil.

Step 7: Glaze the Beignets

While the beignets are still warm, dip each one generously into your coffee glaze then place them back on the wire racks to allow any excess glaze to drip off. This final step locks in that signature sweet coffee flavor and gives your beignets a shimmering, irresistible finish that makes them impossible to resist.

How to Serve Glazed Coffee Beignets

Garnishes

Feel free to sprinkle your Glazed Coffee Beignets with a dusting of extra confectioners’ sugar for an elegant snowy look. A few coffee beans or a pinch of finely ground espresso on top adds a sophisticated touch and enhances the coffee essence. For a pop of color, toss on some finely chopped toasted nuts like pecans or almonds, which add delightful crunch and complement the flavors beautifully.

Side Dishes

These beignets pair wonderfully with a steaming cup of coffee or a latte, amplifying the overall experience. For a heartier brunch, serve them alongside fresh fruit salad or a bowl of mixed berries to cut through the sweetness. A dollop of whipped cream or mascarpone on the side also adds a creamy counterpoint that feels luxurious and indulgent.

Creative Ways to Present

Get playful by stacking your beignets in a mini tower drizzled artistically with glaze for a café-style presentation. Alternatively, serve them in a vintage wire basket lined with parchment paper for a rustic, inviting vibe. If you’re hosting, try arranging them on a large platter with small bowls of extra glaze and cinnamon sugar for guests to customize their own delightful bites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (and you might), store your glazed coffee beignets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep them from getting soggy, place a sheet of parchment paper between layers. Re-glazing fresh beignets before serving helps maintain that fresh-from-the-fryer taste.

Freezing

You can freeze beignet dough before frying. Simply roll out and cut the dough into squares, freeze them individually on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, fry them from frozen, adding extra time to ensure they cook thoroughly. Finished beignets can also be frozen after drying post-glaze, but note the glaze texture might change slightly.

Reheating

To revive your beignets, avoid microwaving as this can make them chewy. Instead, warm them gently in a preheated 300°F oven on a baking sheet for 5-7 minutes. This helps restore their crisp exterior and fluffy inside. If needed, brush or dip them in a fresh batch of glaze to bring back that glossy coffee finish.

FAQs

Can I use instant coffee instead of ground coffee?

While instant coffee can add flavor, it won’t provide the same depth and body as brewed ground dark coffee. For the best Glazed Coffee Beignets experience, brewed coffee is highly recommended.

What if I don’t have half and half? Can I substitute with milk?

Yes, you can use whole milk as a substitute, but using half and half adds richness and tenderness that make the beignets extra special.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Traditional all-purpose flour is used here for the perfect texture, but experimenting with gluten-free blends might work if they contain xanthan gum or other binding agents. Keep in mind the rise and texture may be different.

How do I know when the beignets are done frying?

Look for a golden brown color on all sides and an airy puffed appearance. Usually about 1 minute per side at 350°F is perfect to achieve that light and fluffy texture.

Is there a way to make the glaze less sweet?

You can reduce the confectioners’ sugar slightly or add a tiny pinch of salt to balance sweetness. Remember, the glaze complements the coffee flavor, so adjusting it to your taste is totally fine.

Final Thoughts

These Glazed Coffee Beignets are truly a celebration of coffee and pastry done right. The blend of bold coffee flavors both in the dough and the luscious glaze creates a delightful treat that’s hard to forget. Whether you’re sharing them with friends or savoring a quiet morning, I encourage you to try this recipe and discover just how magical homemade beignets can be.

Glazed Coffee Beignets Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 24 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Yield: About 50 beignets 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in these rich and aromatic Glazed Coffee Beignets, a delightful twist on the classic New Orleans treat. These fluffy fried dough squares are infused with dark brewed coffee for a deep flavor, and then generously dipped in a smooth coffee glaze, making each bite irresistibly flavorful and perfect for coffee lovers seeking a sweet, caffeinated delight.

Instructions

Brew Coffee: Brew 3/4 cup of ground dark coffee with 3 cups of water using your preferred coffee maker or brew method. After brewing, set aside 1/2 cup of the brewed coffee for the glaze; the remaining coffee will be used in the dough.
Activate Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine granulated sugar and active dry yeast. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of the warm brewed coffee (100-110°F) to the bowl. Let it stand for 10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.

Mix Dough: With the stand mixer on low speed, add half of the all-purpose flour, the warm half and half, beaten eggs, melted butter, and salt into the yeast mixture. Mix until combined.
Add Remaining Flour: Continue to beat in the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl. Remove the dough from the mixer bowl and knead it by hand on a floured surface for about 2 minutes, adding flour as necessary to form a smooth, soft dough.
Let Dough Rise: Lightly spray a large bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Place the dough into the bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Set the bowl in a warm place and let the dough rise for 1 hour. The dough should become puffy but does not need to double in size.

Prepare Glaze: While the dough rises, prepare the glaze by combining 4 cups confectioners’ sugar, reserved 1/2 cup brewed coffee, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Mix until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap to keep it fresh until ready to use.
Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Be sure there is enough oil to submerge the beignets fully during frying.
Shape Beignets: Turn the risen dough out onto a floured surface and gently roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into 1 1/2-inch squares.

Fry Beignets: Place wire racks over paper towel-lined trays nearby to drain the fried beignets. Fry 4 squares of dough at a time in the hot oil. Fry each side about 1 minute until golden and puffed. Use a slotted spoon to remove beignets and place them on the wire racks to drain excess oil.
Glaze Beignets: While still warm, dip each beignet into the prepared coffee glaze, ensuring it is fully coated. Set glazed beignets back onto the wire racks to allow excess glaze to drip off before serving.

Notes

Ensure the warm coffee and half and half are at the right temperature (100-110°F) when activating yeast to avoid killing the yeast.

Do not overcrowd the fryer; frying in small batches ensures the oil temperature stays consistent for evenly cooked beignets.
For best results, serve beignets immediately after glazing for the freshest taste and texture.
Leftover glaze can be stored in the refrigerator and gently warmed before use.

Use a thermometer to accurately monitor oil temperature to avoid greasy or undercooked beignets.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Category: Dessert
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Louisiana Creole

Nutrition

Serving Size: 3 beignets (approximately 90 g)
Calories: 350
Sugar: 30 g

Sodium: 180 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g

Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0.2 g
Carbohydrates: 54 g

Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 60 mg

Keywords: Coffee Beignets, Glazed Beignets, Fried Dough, New Orleans Dessert, Coffee Dessert