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
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
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sopapilla
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
