Name: Sopapillas Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons sugar; 2 tablespoons shortening or softened butter; 3/4 cup warm water; Vegetable oil for frying (about 2 inches deep); Powdered sugar for dusting; Honey for drizzling

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If you’re ready to dive into the world of warm, pillowy fried pastries with a hint of sweetness, this Sopapillas Recipe is about to become your new favorite treat. Sopapillas are a beloved Mexican dessert: golden, puffy squares or triangles of dough that are crisp on the outside, soft inside, and absolutely irresistible when dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with honey. Whether you’re making them for a festive meal or a sweet snack, you’ll love how these come together with simple pantry ingredients and deliver a magical taste every time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You might be surprised by how simple but essential these ingredients are—each one plays a special role in creating the signature flavor, texture, and golden color of classic sopapillas. From the flour that forms the backbone of the dough to the honey that adds that final touch of sweetness, every component is here for a reason!

All-purpose flour: Gives the sopapillas their structure while keeping them tender and light.
Baking powder: The secret to those glorious puffy pockets—don’t skip it!
Salt: Just a hint brings out all the flavors and keeps the sweetness balanced.
Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the dough itself, making every bite delicious.
Shortening or softened butter: Ensures the sopapillas are rich, soft, and perfectly flaky.
Warm water: Helps bring the dough together and makes it easy to knead.
Vegetable oil for frying: Neutral flavor and high smoke point—perfect for achieving that golden crispiness.
Powdered sugar and honey: The classic finishing touch that takes these from tasty to totally irresistible.

How to Make Sopapillas Recipe

Step 1: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Start by grabbing a large bowl and whisking together your flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. This quick mix ensures everything is evenly distributed and sets the stage for a perfectly puffy dough. It’s a small step, but it makes a big difference!

Step 2: Cut in the Shortening or Butter

Add your shortening or softened butter to the flour mixture, then use a fork or your fingers to work it in until the mix looks like coarse crumbs. This step is essential for creating that tender, airy texture we all crave in a great Sopapillas Recipe.

Step 3: Bring the Dough Together

Gradually pour in the warm water, mixing as you go, until a soft dough forms. Don’t rush—adding the water slowly helps you avoid sticky or dry spots. Once the dough comes together, you’re well on your way!

Step 4: Knead and Rest

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 2 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes—this little nap allows the gluten to relax, making it much easier to roll out later.

Step 5: Shape the Sopapillas

Roll the rested dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice it into 3-inch squares or triangles. Uniform shapes ensure even cooking and those signature puffy pockets in every single piece.

Step 6: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 375°F. Fry the dough pieces in batches, turning once, until they’re beautifully golden and puffed—about 1 minute per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and let them drain on paper towels to keep them crisp.

Step 7: Serve Warm and Sweet

While they’re still warm, dust your sopapillas generously with powdered sugar and drizzle with honey. Trust me, this is the moment when the magic really happens!

How to Serve Sopapillas Recipe

Garnishes

Sopapillas are fantastic with just a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a generous drizzle of honey, but you can also try a dusting of cinnamon sugar for a spiced twist. For a special touch, add a little zest of orange or lemon, or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for pure decadence.

Side Dishes

Pair your Sopapillas Recipe with a cup of hot chocolate or café de olla for a classic Mexican treat, or serve them alongside fresh fruit for a lighter finish. They also make a wonderful dessert after a hearty meal of enchiladas or tacos.

Creative Ways to Present

Get playful with your presentation! Stack sopapillas on a platter and drizzle with multiple toppings, or serve them in a basket lined with a colorful napkin for a festive touch. You can even create a DIY dipping bar with chocolate sauce, fruit preserves, or flavored syrups for an interactive dessert experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover sopapillas (a rare occurrence, but it does happen!), let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll lose some crispness, but a quick reheat will bring them back to life.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze your cooled sopapillas in a zip-top bag or airtight container. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They’ll keep beautifully in the freezer for up to two months—perfect for satisfying future cravings!

Reheating

When you’re ready to enjoy your sopapillas again, pop them in a 350°F oven for 5 to 8 minutes until warmed through and re-crisped. Avoid the microwave, as it can make them chewy instead of crisp. Serve immediately, dusted with fresh powdered sugar and honey.

FAQs

What makes sopapillas puff up?

The magic comes from the combination of baking powder and the hot oil. When the dough hits the oil, steam forms inside, causing the sopapillas to puff into those lovely, hollow pillows we all love.

Can I use butter instead of shortening?

Absolutely! Softened butter gives a slightly richer flavor, while shortening results in a flakier texture. Both work quite well, so use whichever you prefer or have on hand.

Is this Sopapillas Recipe vegan?

If you use a plant-based butter or shortening and skip the honey (try agave syrup or maple syrup instead), this recipe can be made entirely vegan. It’s a wonderfully versatile treat!

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to a day in advance. Just wrap it tightly and refrigerate. Let it come to room temperature before rolling out and frying for the best results.

Why aren’t my sopapillas puffing up?

If your sopapillas aren’t puffing, your oil may not be hot enough, or the dough might be rolled too thin or thick. Make sure your oil is at 375°F and your dough is about 1/4-inch thick for optimal puffiness.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about making this Sopapillas Recipe from scratch—watching the dough transform into golden pillows and enjoying them warm with honey is pure joy. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll fall in love with this classic Mexican dessert, just like I have. Happy frying!

Sopapillas Recipe

4.6 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 12 sopapillas 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican fried pastry that is light, airy, and mildly sweet. These golden puffs are easy to make with basic pantry ingredients and are best enjoyed warm, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with honey. Perfect as a delightful dessert or a sweet snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar

Wet Ingredients

2 tablespoons shortening or softened butter
3/4 cup warm water

For Frying and Serving

Vegetable oil for frying (about 2 inches deep)
Powdered sugar for dusting
Honey for drizzling

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Instructions

Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar to evenly combine all the dry components.
Incorporate fat: Cut in the shortening or softened butter using a fork or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring an even fat distribution.
Add water and form dough: Gradually add the warm water while mixing until a soft dough forms that holds together.
Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for about 2 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Rest the dough: Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes, allowing the gluten to relax for easier rolling.
Roll and cut: Roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut it into 3-inch squares or triangles for frying.
Heat oil: In a deep skillet or pot, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C), the ideal temperature for frying sopapillas.
Fry sopapillas: Fry the dough pieces in batches, turning once, for about 1 minute per side or until puffed and golden brown.
Drain and serve: Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with honey for a classic finish.

Notes

For a cinnamon-sugar variation, toss the fried sopapillas in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar while still warm.
Best served fresh but can be reheated in the oven to regain crispiness.
Ensure oil temperature is maintained at 375°F for proper puffing and browning.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Mexican