Sfenj – North African Beignets

May 16, 2023May 16, 20230 1

Sfenj - Traditional North African Beignets

by The Chefin Dessert

Prep

45 min

Cook

15 min

Ready In

1 hr

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

300

Sugar

Fat

20g

Sfenj, traditionally known as Beignets in French, is a deep-fried pastry that is popular in North African cuisine. It is typically eaten as a dessert or snack alongside tea or coffee. Made from simple ingredients like flour, yeast, and salt, the pastry is easy to make and customize. The dough is stretched into a large ring and then fried until golden brown. Sfenj has a crunchy exterior and is chewy on the inside, which makes it a one-of-a-kind delicacy. It can be eaten plain or served with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey to satisfy individual taste preferences.

Instructions

1.	Mix together the flour, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
2.	Add the warm water and mix well to form a sticky dough.
3.	Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
4.	Heat up the oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium heat.
5.	Wet your hands and pinch off a small amount of dough.
6.	Stretch the dough into a large ring and drop it into the hot oil.
7.	Fry the dough until golden brown, flipping once.
8.	Remove the Sfenj from the oil and let it cool briefly on a paper towel.
9.	Serve the Sfenj warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle of honey if desired.

PROS

Sfenj is a tasty, crunchy yet chewy dessert that is easy and cheap to make.

It is best served warm and can be customized to individual preferences with dusting of powdered sugar or honey.

CONS

Sfenj is a deep-fried dough, which makes it high in fat and calories.
It should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet to avoid overconsumption of calories.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Sfenj, like many deep-fried foods, is not particularly healthy.
However, it is a good source of carbohydrates which provide energy to the body. The combination of the flour and yeast in the recipe makes Sfenj high in B vitamins which are essential for brain function and metabolism.

	2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
	1 1/2 teaspoons dried yeast
	1 teaspoon salt
	1/2 cup warm water
	vegetable oil , for frying
	powdered sugar ( optional )
	honey ( optional )