Skip to content
Forkin
DessertSnack

Bugnes Lyonnaises

These delicate, light fried pastries are a traditional treat from Lyon, France, often enjoyed during Carnival. They are subtly sweet, flavored with orange blossom water, and dusted with powdered sugar. This recipe yields tender, crisp bugnes perfect for a festive dessert or snack.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time
1 hr 30 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Medium
Per serving
699 kcal
Download the app
Vegetarian

Allergen information: may contain eggs, gluten, and milk. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.

Bugnes Lyonnaises

Mise en place

Ingredients

Measurements

Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.

  • 250 gall-purpose flour
  • 50 ggranulated sugar
  • 50 gunsalted butter, melted
  • 2 pcsegg, large, lightly beaten
  • 1 tbsporange blossom water
  • 1 tspbaking powder
  • 0.5 tspsalt
  • 1 lvegetable oil, for frying
  • 30 gpowdered sugar, for dusting

Equipment

pastry wheel · deep pot · slotted spoon · paper towels · rolling pin · plastic wrap · large bowl · wire rack · whisk · kitchen thermometer

The method

Step by step

  1. 1

    In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.

    About 2 min

  2. 2

    Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients.

  3. 3

    Pour the melted unsalted butter, lightly beaten egg, and orange blossom water into the well.

    About 1 min

  4. 4

    Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a fork or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.

    About 3 min

  5. 5

    Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.

    About 7 min

    Cook’s note: Avoid adding too much extra flour during kneading to keep the bugnes tender.

  6. 6

    Form the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rest at room temperature for at least 1 hour.

    About 1 hr

    Cook’s note: Resting helps the gluten relax, making the dough easier to roll.

  7. 7

    Lightly flour your work surface and a rolling pin. Roll out the dough very thinly, about 2 millimeters thick.

    About 5 min

    Cook’s note: The thinner the dough, the crispier the bugnes will be.

  8. 8

    Using a pastry wheel or knife, cut the dough into rectangles or diamond shapes, about 5x10 cm (2x4 inches).

    About 3 min

  9. 9

    Make a small slit in the center of each piece of dough.

    About 2 min

  10. 10

    Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven to 170°C (340°F).

    About 5 min

    Cook’s note: Use a thermometer to ensure the oil is at the correct temperature for even cooking.

  11. 11

    Fry the bugnes in batches, a few at a time, for 1-2 minutes per side until they are golden brown and puffed.

    About 8 min

    Cook’s note: Do not overcrowd the pot, as this will lower the oil temperature and make the bugnes greasy.

  12. 12

    Remove the fried bugnes with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

  13. 13

    Once slightly cooled, dust the bugnes generously with powdered sugar before serving.

    About 1 min

Per serving

Nutrition

Calories
699.2kcal
Protein
9.6g
Carbs
68.1g
Fat
43.5g
Fibre
1.7g
Sugar
20.2g

Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftover bugnes in an airtight container at room temperature.

More recipes

All recipes
  • Pasticadamain course

    Pasticada

    Pasticada is a rich and savory Croatian beef stew, traditionally made with beef eye of round or top round. The meat is marinated, then slow-cooked with vegetables and prunes until incredibly tender. This dish is often served with homemade gnocchi.

    15 hr 1,148 kcal
  • Mince Piesdessert

    Mince Pies

    These individual sweet pies are a Christmas classic in Britain, filled with a rich, spiced dried fruit mixture and encased in buttery pastry. They are perfect for festive gatherings or a cozy treat with a cup of tea.

    1 hr 40 min
  • Vegetable Biryanimain course

    Vegetable Biryani

    This flavorful vegetable biryani features fragrant basmati rice layered with spiced mixed vegetables. It's a satisfying and aromatic one-pot meal perfect for a vegetarian dinner.

    1 hr 25 min 498 kcal
  • Tom Kha Gaisoup

    Tom Kha Gai

    A classic Thai soup featuring a creamy coconut milk broth, fragrant with galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. This beloved dish balances sour, salty, and spicy notes with tender chicken and mushrooms for a deeply comforting meal.

    35 min 664 kcal
  • Kategnaappetizer

    Kategna

    A classic Ethiopian appetizer featuring injera flatbread generously coated with a spicy berbere and oil mixture. The bread is toasted until lightly crisp, then rolled and sliced, perfect for a flavorful, shareable snack.

    15 min
  • Simple Baked Chicken Oreganodinner

    Simple Baked Chicken Oregano

    A straightforward and flavorful recipe for chicken baked with a classic Mediterranean combination of oregano, lemon juice, and olive oil. This dish requires minimal preparation, making it an ideal choice for a satisfying weeknight dinner. The result is tender, juicy chicken with a lovely golden-brown skin.

    55 min 773 kcal
  • Pogácsasnack

    Pogácsa

    Pogácsa are traditional Hungarian savory biscuits, often enjoyed as a snack or appetizer. These flaky, cheesy pastries are made with a rich, buttery dough and can be customized with various toppings. This recipe yields a batch of tender, flavorful pogácsa perfect for sharing.

    2 hr 40 min 751 kcal