Beignets A New Orleans Tradition Beignets are the state doughnut of Louisiana. Pronounced, “ben-yay”, New Orleans locals often call them “French Doughnuts”. Beignets were brought to Louisiana in the 1800’s by the French Acadians from Nova Scotia. The traditional New Orleans beignet is a square piece of dough, deep fried till puffy, served hot and covered in powder sugar.