If you’re searching for the perfect sweet treat that manages to be both pillowy-soft and crispy golden, look no further than Homemade Sopapillas. These delightful Mexican pastries are a true pleasure to make: the dough rises beautifully to give you puffy pockets, and with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of honey, each bite transports you to a festive café. Whether you’re new to making fried dough at home or a seasoned dessert lover, this recipe is bound to become a repeat favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every bite of these sopapillas starts with simple but purposeful ingredients. Each item contributes something special, whether it’s a tender texture, a touch of sweetness, or that irresistible golden finish.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for our dough, giving structure and softness.
- Baking Powder: This is what makes the dough puff up into those signature pillows.
- Salt: Just a little enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
- Sugar (optional): Adds a gentle sweetness to the dough—it’s subtle, but worth it if you enjoy a sweeter bite.
- Vegetable Shortening or Butter: For extra tenderness and that melt-in-your-mouth effect.
- Warm Water: Brings the dough together and activates the baking powder for a lovely rise.
- Vegetable Oil (for frying): The secret to achieving that golden, crispy exterior on every sopapilla.
- Powdered Sugar and Honey (for serving): Classic toppings that give sopapillas their classic finish and a beautiful sweetness.
How to Make Homemade Sopapillas
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Begin by whisking the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar (if using) together in a large bowl. This step ensures all the dry ingredients are well-distributed, so every sopapilla puffs up perfectly and tastes balanced from edge to edge.
Step 2: Cut in Fat
Add the vegetable shortening or butter to your flour mixture, then use a pastry cutter, two forks, or even your hands to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This creates the signature flakiness and delicate crumb that Homemade Sopapillas are known for.
Step 3: Form the Dough
Gradually pour in the warm water while stirring, bringing everything together until a soft dough forms. If the dough seems dry, just add another splash of warm water. It should be smooth and supple, never sticky.
Step 4: Knead and Rest
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 2–3 minutes. This short kneading time helps everything come together without making the dough tough. Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes for maximum puffiness.
Step 5: Roll and Cut
After resting, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Then, cut it into fun shapes—classic 3- or 4-inch squares or triangles are traditional, but you can get a little creative if you like.
Step 6: Fry to Perfection
Heat your vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet to 375°F (190°C). Fry the sopapillas in batches, turning once, until they puff and turn beautifully golden, about 1 minute per side. Don’t crowd the pan for best results. Let them drain on paper towels right after frying.
Step 7: Add the Finishing Touches
While still warm, dust each sopapilla generously with powdered sugar and finish with a luscious drizzle of honey. You can even toss them in cinnamon sugar for an irresistible twist.
How to Serve Homemade Sopapillas
Garnishes
The magic touch for Homemade Sopapillas is in the garnishes. Pile on the powdered sugar for a snow-capped appearance, then let honey cascade over the warm pastries for a glossy, sticky-sweet finish. For an extra pop, roll them in a cinnamon-sugar blend while they’re hot—you won’t regret it!
Side Dishes
Nothing complements sopapillas quite like a cup of Mexican hot chocolate or café de olla. They’re also fantastic paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, adding a creamy contrast to the crisp exterior.
Creative Ways to Present
Let your imagination run wild! Try stacking sopapillas, layering with whipped cream and berries for a show-stopping dessert parfait, or serve them with a variety of honeys and flavored syrups so guests can drizzle to their hearts’ content. Homemade Sopapillas also make an amazing base for sweet “nachos” with chocolate sauce and fruit.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any sopapillas leftover (though that’s rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll lose a bit of their crispness but remain wonderfully tasty and soft.
Freezing
You can freeze Homemade Sopapillas after frying—just let them cool, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a zip-top bag and keep them for up to two months. It’s a brilliant way to have a ready-to-eat treat on hand for sudden cravings!
Reheating
To recapture the magic, pop sopapillas into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes. This will refresh their crispiness without drying them out. Avoid the microwave, as it makes them chewy instead of light and airy.
FAQs
Can I make Homemade Sopapillas ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Form and fry them just before serving to enjoy the freshest texture and taste.
Why didn’t my sopapillas puff up?
Several factors can affect puffing, but the main culprits are oil temperature (too low won’t puff) and not rolling the dough thin enough. Make sure your oil is hot and your dough is an even 1/4-inch thick for perfect pillows every time.
Is there a dairy-free option?
Absolutely. To make dairy-free Homemade Sopapillas, simply use vegetable shortening instead of butter and double-check your serving accompaniments to keep them dairy-free.
Can I bake sopapillas instead of frying?
Frying is traditional and gives that signature bubbly texture, but you can bake them at 425°F (220°C) for about 8–10 minutes. They won’t puff quite as dramatically but will still taste delicious!
Can I add flavors to the dough?
Of course! Feel free to add a dash of cinnamon, vanilla extract, or even orange zest to the dough for a unique spin on traditional Homemade Sopapillas. Just remember to keep the dough’s texture soft and pliable.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about sharing Homemade Sopapillas with friends and family, warm and fresh from the fryer. Whether you drizzle them with honey, dust them with sugar, or enjoy them plain, I hope this recipe brings a touch of joy to your kitchen and becomes a beloved treat. Give it a try—you’re going to love every bite!
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Homemade Sopapillas Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 sopapillas 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make delicious homemade sopapillas, a traditional Mexican fried dough dessert that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. These honey-drizzled pastries are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening or butter
- 3/4 cup warm water (plus more if needed)
For Frying and Serving:
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Powdered sugar
- Honey
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in shortening or butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add warm water and stir until a soft dough forms.
- Knead and Rest: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rest for 20 minutes.
- Shape and Fry: Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into squares or triangles. Heat oil to 375°F (190°C) in a deep pan. Fry sopapillas until golden brown on both sides, about 1 minute per side.
- Serve: Drain on paper towels, dust with powdered sugar, and drizzle with honey before serving.
Notes
- For a cinnamon-sugar twist, toss the fried sopapillas in a cinnamon and sugar mixture while warm.
- Best served fresh but can be reheated in the oven for a crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sopapilla
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
