Blueberry Fritters (Easy Beignets aux Myrtille)

Quick Summary: Blueberry fritters, or beignets aux myrtille, are spoonfuls of a simple cake-style batter packed with fresh blueberries and deep-fried until golden. No yeast and no resting time, so the whole batch comes together in about an hour. Fry at 355°F (180°C), then dust with powdered sugar or toss in cinnamon sugar and serve hot.

Crispy, fruity, and sweet, these blueberry fritters (also called blueberry beignets) are a treat worth making. Serve them plain, sprinkled with icing sugar, or tossed in cinnamon sugar, as a snack or dessert.

What are blueberry fritters?

Blueberry fritters are small rounds of sweet, cake-style batter studded with fresh blueberries and deep-fried until crisp and golden.

Also known as beignets aux myrtille ("myrtille" is French for blueberry) or simply blueberry beignets, they are shaped like little doughnut bites rather than a single glazed ring, so the berries burst and soften inside as the batter fries. Unlike yeasted fritters, this batter needs no rising time.

It is one of the fritter recipes on the blog I highly recommend making. I suspect you have already had a look at pineapple fritters and funny-sounding fried donuts called nun's farts. And after I made apple fritters, I knew I had to make a recipe with another fruit flavor to add a summery spin on fruits. 

Fresh vs frozen blueberries: which to use

For many bakes, fresh and frozen blueberries are interchangeable, and both give good results.

In a batter like blueberry muffins, for instance, it makes little difference which one you reach for.

For these fritters, though, fresh blueberries are the better choice. Frozen berries thaw in the batter as it fries and bleed their juice, which tints the batter a muddy color.

The extra moisture from frozen berries also hits the hot oil and makes it spit, so if fresh are in season, use them.

Why you'll love this recipe

1. This blueberry fritters recipe uses simple ingredients that come together quickly: no resting time required, no yeasted dough made, no shaping technique involved.
2. These homemade berry fritters make an easy "donut-shaped" breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or a perfect dessert.
3. They bring a fun outdoor gathering idea for what to make for dessert. Make the batter in advance and use a portable outdoor gas stove to make a fun dessert.
4. Kids and adults love these blueberry beignets.

Ingredients

For ingredients and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.

• Flour: the recipe calls for all-purpose flour.

• Sugar: use granulated white sugar or caster sugar.

• Baking powder: it is always suggested to use fresh baking powder.

• Salt: it enhances the flavor of the batter.

• Cinnamon and nutmeg: ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg are both versatile, work well together, and harmonize with blueberries.

• Eggs: use large whole eggs at room temperature.

• Milk: the recipe calls for whole milk at room temperature.

• Vanilla extract: the most flavorful vanilla extract is from Madagascar. Replace it with an alcohol-free vanilla flavor if desired. Switch vanilla extract for dark rum if the dessert is served to adults.

• Butter: use unsalted butter. Melt it in the microwave, covering the dish, and let it cool to room temperature.

• Blueberries: the recipe is created for fresh blueberries. Replace them with fresh blackcurrants if desired.

• Frying oil: use vegetable oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil.

• Icing sugar: make it yourself with a coffee grinder or use store-bought powdered sugar.

Equipment

To make blueberry fritters at home, gather these basic kitchen tools before you start:

• mixing bowls
• whisk
• flour sifter
• rubber spatula
• small cookie scoop
• heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
• cooking thermometer
• slotted metal spoon
• tongs
• wire rack

How to make blueberry fritters

Step 1. To make the fritter batter, whisk together sifted flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon in a medium bowl, then set aside.

Step 2. In another mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter cooled to room temperature (photo 1).

Step 3. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until combined with a rubber spatula (photo 2).

Step 4. Add blueberries and gently mix (photo 3).

Step 5. To fry the fritters, heat the frying oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until it reaches 355°F (180°C), using a cooking thermometer.

Step 6. Slowly drop a small cookie scoop of batter into the oil and fry until golden or slightly dark brown, about 2 to 4 minutes on each side (photo 4).

Step 7. Flip fritters with a fork or metal tongs and fry until golden brown.

Step 8. To test for doneness, insert a small knife in the center (be careful of oil splashes!).

Step 9. If there is still raw dough in the knife, fry a bit longer. Using a slotted metal spoon or metal spatula, transfer (photo 5) to a wire rack lined with a paper towel and let cool.

Step 10. Repeat with the remaining batter, checking the oil temperature throughout the process. Dust with icing (powdered) sugar and serve (photo 6).

Expert tips

1. Follow all the safety precautions: check the deep-frying tips explained in the post for apple fritters.
2. Heat the oil after you make the fritter batter. Start over high heat, then lower to about half power. Maintain a constant oil temperature of 355°F (180°C). To test, put a teaspoon of batter in the oil to check the temperature. If it browns too quickly, lower the heat and recheck the temperature.
3. To fry fritters, use a small cookie scoop or 2 teaspoons to help scrape off the batter into the oil.
4. Watch for oil splashes, and keep your hands away from the boiling oil while immersing the batter. Wear kitchen gloves if the frying oil is splashing.
5. Fry fritters in batches of two to four, maximum. Make sure they don't touch each other while frying.
6. When frying, some blueberries come loose and start to float around in the oil. Either discard them or continue cooking with them along the pot's sides.
7. Remove ready fritters one by one. Once they cool down, you can stack them.
8. To make post-frying cleaning easier, protect your stove's cooking surface with aluminum foil by placing it around your pot.

How to serve it

The quickest way to serve blueberry beignets is to dust them with icing (powdered) sugar while they are still warm.

For a little more flavor, toss the hot fritters in cinnamon sugar so the coating clings to the surface. For a sweeter finish, add a sugar glaze: either dunk each fritter in the glaze or drizzle it over once the fritters have cooled.

Recipe variations

• Lemon blueberry: add the zest of one lemon to the batter and a squeeze of lemon to the glaze for a bright, citrusy version.
• Glazed fritters: whisk powdered sugar with a little milk (or browned butter) and dip or drizzle the cooled fritters for a doughnut-shop finish.
• Mixed berry: swap half the blueberries for raspberries, blackberries, or chopped strawberries.
• Sourdough blueberry fritters: replace part of the flour and milk with about half a cup of sourdough discard for a subtle tang.
• Gluten-free: use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of the wheat flour.

Storing & freezing

Blueberry fritters are at their crisp best the moment they come out of the oil, so enjoy them the same day. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days; they will soften but still taste good, and a few minutes in a hot oven at 355°F (180°C) revives some of the crunch.

To freeze, cool the fritters completely, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to two months and reheat straight from frozen in the oven. Adding any glaze is best done after reheating.

Recipe FAQ

Is a blueberry fritter a donut?
A blueberry fritter, also called a blueberry beignet, is a cousin of the donut. Both are fried doughs, but a fritter has fruit mixed right into a looser batter and an irregular, craggy shape, while a classic donut is a smooth ring of yeasted dough.

Can you use frozen blueberries?
Fresh blueberries are best here. Frozen berries thaw in the batter and bleed color, and the extra moisture can make the hot oil splatter. If you only have frozen, don't thaw them; toss them in a little flour first.

Can you bake blueberry fritters instead of frying?
Yes. Spoon the batter into a lined muffin tin or onto a baking sheet and bake at 355°F (180°C) until golden, about 15 to 18 minutes. Baked fritters are softer and more cake-like than fried ones.

Can you make these fritters in advance?
They are at their crispest served hot, right after frying, so making them ahead is not recommended. You can measure the dry and wet ingredients separately in advance and combine them just before frying.

How do you store leftover fritters?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. They lose their crispness, so reheat them in a hot oven for a few minutes before serving.

How do you discard the leftover frying oil?
Never pour used oil down the drain. Let it cool completely, pour it into an empty sealable container, and throw it away with your household trash or take it to a recycling point.

Love fruit desserts? Try these next!

• Mixed Berry Muffins
• Cherry Crumb Pie Recipe
• No-Bake Raspberry Oreo Cheesecake
• French Caramel Apple Tart

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The nutritional information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator such as Verywellfit.com and is intended for informational purposes only. These figures should be used as a general guideline and not be construed as a guarantee.