Air Fryer Pumpkin Beignets (No Yeast, 22 Minutes)

These air fryer pumpkin beignets are soft, lightly spiced, and buried in powdered sugar, and they need no yeast and no deep fryer. A quick dough of pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt and pumpkin pie spice goes from bowl to plate in about 22 minutes, so you can have warm beignets on a fall morning without waiting for dough to rise.

These pumpkin beignets became an instant breakfast hit in our house after I decided to test a lighter, air-fried version of our favorite autumn treat. They come out golden and fluffy in under 10 minutes, and my family always requests a double batch for weekend coffee!

What are air fryer pumpkin beignets?

Classic New Orleans beignets are yeasted squares of dough, deep fried and dusted with powdered sugar. This version swaps the yeast for baking powder and Greek yogurt, adds pumpkin puree and warm spices to the dough, and cooks it in the air fryer instead of a pot of oil.

The result is crisp and golden outside with a tender, cake-like center. They are a little less puffy than fried beignets, but they take a fraction of the time and need just 2 tablespoons of oil for the whole batch.

Why this recipe works

• No yeast, no rising time. Baking powder and Greek yogurt give lift in minutes, not hours.
• No deep frying. A light spray of oil and the air fryer’s circulating heat brown the outside without a pot of hot oil.
• 7 simple ingredients. Most are pantry staples, plus a can of pumpkin.
• About 103 calories each. A lighter fall treat than most fried pastries.
• Breakfast or dessert. Serve them with coffee in the morning or with caramel sauce after dinner. If you love these, try my air fryer pumpkin cream donuts next.

Ingredients for air fryer pumpkin beignets

You need just 7 ingredients. Exact amounts are in the printable recipe card below.

• All-purpose flour: Gives the beignets structure. A 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works too.
• Baking powder: The only leavening, which is why no yeast or rising is needed. Check that it’s fresh.
• Pumpkin pie spice: Store-bought or homemade pumpkin pie spice.
• Pumpkin puree: Use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which is already sweetened and spiced.
• Greek yogurt: Plain, full-fat or low-fat. Its thickness and tang help the dough hold together and puff.
• Oil: Canola or vegetable oil in the dough, plus cooking spray for the basket.
• Powdered sugar: For a generous dusting right out of the air fryer.

Substitutions and variations

• Dairy-free: Use a thick, plain dairy-free Greek-style yogurt. Applesauce is too thin and makes a sticky, dense dough.
• Gluten-free: Swap in a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose blend.
• Sweeter dough: Add 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar to the dry ingredients.
• Cinnamon sugar: Brush warm beignets with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar instead of powdered sugar, like my air fryer cinnamon churro bites.
• Dipping sauces: Serve with caramel sauce, maple cream cheese dip, or warm chocolate sauce.

How to make pumpkin beignets in the air fryer

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and pumpkin pie spice until evenly combined.

Step 2: Add the wet ingredients. Stir in the pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt and oil until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 3: Knead the dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1 to 2 minutes, just until smooth and no longer sticky.

Step 4: Roll and cut. Roll the dough to about ½ inch thick, then cut it into 8 even rectangles.

Step 5: Prep the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Spray the basket and the tops of the beignets with cooking spray, then arrange them in a single layer with space between each.

Step 6: Air fry. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until puffed and golden brown.

Step 7: Dust and serve. Dust generously with powdered sugar while the beignets are still warm, and serve right away.

Tips for the best air fryer beignets

• Don’t crowd the basket. Hot air needs to reach every side. Cook in batches if needed.
• Flip halfway. Most basket-style air fryers brown the top faster than the bottom.
• Check early. Air fryers vary, so start checking at 8 minutes.
• Don’t over-knead. Stop once the dough is smooth, or the beignets turn tough.
• Use parchment if they stick. A perforated air fryer liner keeps the bottoms from sticking while letting air through.
• Dust while warm. Powdered sugar clings best when the beignets are still hot.

What to serve with pumpkin beignets

• Coffee, chai, or a pumpkin spice latte for breakfast
• Caramel sauce or maple cream cheese dip for dessert
• A fall brunch spread with sourdough pumpkin cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit
• A fall dessert board with pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies and air fryer pumpkin pie pop tarts

How to store, freeze and reheat

• Make ahead: Beignets are best fresh. To cook in batches, keep finished ones warm on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a 200°F oven.
• Store: Keep leftovers, without sugar, in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 days.
• Freeze: Cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Reheat in the air fryer: Air fry at 300°F for 2 to 3 minutes, until warmed through and crisp again. Dust with fresh powdered sugar.
• Reheat in the microwave: 15 to 20 seconds works in a pinch, but the outside will be softer.

Pumpkin beignets FAQ

Do air fryer beignets need yeast? Not this recipe. Baking powder and Greek yogurt make the dough rise, so there’s no proofing time. The texture is slightly more cake-like than yeasted beignets.

Can I make these dairy-free? Yes. Use a thick, plain dairy-free Greek-style yogurt. Avoid applesauce, which makes the dough too loose to shape.

Can I make gluten-free pumpkin beignets? Yes. Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

Can I use fresh pumpkin? Yes, if you puree it and drain off excess liquid first. Watery puree makes a sticky dough.

Can I bake them in the oven instead? Yes. Bake on a parchment-lined sheet at 375°F for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden.

Why are my beignets dense? The usual causes are old baking powder, over-kneading, or a crowded basket. Use fresh baking powder, knead only until smooth, and leave space between each beignet.

What temperature do you air fry beignets at? 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway.

[SEO note: if your recipe card plugin supports it, keep this as a plain H2/H3 Q&A section. Google no longer shows FAQ rich results for most sites, but these answers target “People also ask” queries.]

More air fryer pumpkin recipes

• Air Fryer Pumpkin Twists
• Air Fryer Pumpkin Cream Donuts
• Air Fryer Pumpkin Cheesecake Egg Rolls
• Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts
• Air Fryer Pumpkin Dumplings
• Sourdough Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
• Soft Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies
• Air Fryer Cinnamon Churro Bites