Go Back

Easy Beignet aka Scoopable Orange Donuts with Kumquat Chili Honey

Print Recipe
Course Appetizer, Snack
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 240 g all-purpose flour 2 cups
  • 8 g baking powder 2 teaspoons
  • 3 g baking soda 1/2 teaspoon
  • 4 g kosher salt 3/4 teaspoon
  • 50 g sugar 1/4 cup

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 large egg
  • 360 g buttermilk 1 1/2 cups
  • 30 g melted butter 2 tablespoons
  • Zest of 2 oranges
  • 200 g soft goat cheese about 7 ounces
  • Pinch of kosher salt

For Frying

  • Neutral oil about 350°F (algae oil, canola, or grapeseed)

Scallion Sugar

  • 100 g sugar 1/2 cup
  • 2 tablespoons dried scallions or fresh scallions or chives, finely chopped

Kumquat Chili Honey

  • 1 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup kumquats thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon to 1/2 tablespoon Korean chili flakes depending on heat preference

Instructions

  • Whisk egg, buttermilk, melted butter, orange zest, goat cheese, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Chill.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
  • Fold wet into dry just until combined. Batter should be thick and scoopable. Chill at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
  • Simmer honey until very hot. Stir in chili flakes and kumquats. Cook on low until kumquats are tender and honey thickens, 10–15 minutes. Cool until glossy.
  • Mix sugar and dried scallions. Set aside.
  • Heat oil to 350°F. Scoop batter into oil and fry until puffed and golden, 2–3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
  • Toss warm donuts in scallion sugar. Plate and drizzle generously with kumquat chili honey.

Video

Notes

The scallion sugar adds a subtle savory edge without pushing these out of dessert territory, while the kumquat chili honey balances the sweetness and ties everything together.
These donuts are best eaten hot, but the real advantage is the batter itself. Keep it chilled and fry as needed—fresh donuts on demand is a restaurant luxury that actually works at home.
If you’re hosting brunch, this is the cheat code.
Storage
  • Batter: Up to 2 days, refrigerated
  • Kumquat chili honey: Up to 2 weeks, refrigerated
  • Scallion sugar: Airtight container at room temperature