A beignet (pronounced [bε.ɲε], which's the French word for fried dough), in American English, refers to a pastry made from deep-fried dough and sprinkled with confectioner's sugar,'s a kind of French doughnut. versions of beignets are also popular as an appetizer, with fillings such as crawfish and shrimp. In France, beignet's an umbrella term for a large variety of pastries made from deep-fried dough with fruit or vegetable filling. They may contain other fillings, as well: potat… (More on Beignet)