Sopapillas Recipe
User Reviews
5
Sopapillas Recipe
Description
The Sopapillas recipe combines all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, neutral oil, and warm water to form a tacky but manageable dough. Kneading develops elasticity, with resting allowing gluten relaxation. The dough is then rolled out and cut before frying at 375°F until puffy and golden. The resulting sopapillas are light and crisp with an airy interior.
Finished sopapillas are coated in a cinnamon sugar mixture and drizzled with honey, providing a sweet and slightly spiced flavor contrast to the fried dough. The frying oil and temperature are important for achieving the right texture without greasiness.
Sopapillas can be varied by altering their shape—small bites or traditional pieces—and by changing toppings to powdered sugar or honey alone. Some recipes suggest whole wheat flour or adding milk for creaminess, demonstrating flexibility within this simple fried dough tradition.
This versatile pastry is best enjoyed fresh and warm, offering a satisfying sweet treat often enjoyed as dessert or snack.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar divided
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt fine
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil plus more for frying (canola, vegetable, or corn
- ¾ cup water warm
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for topping
- honey for topping
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir with a fork to combine.
- Add the oil and water and stir to combine until a dough forms.
- Transfer the dough onto a well-floured work surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough becomes too sticky to work with during the kneading process, add in a little more flour. The final dough should be tacky, but not so much that it completely sticks to your fingers and hands.
- Roll the dough into a ball, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rest for 20 minutes.
- While the dough is resting, line a baking sheet with paper towels and heat the frying oil in a medium pot or Dutch oven to 375°F.
- Prepare the cinnamon sugar topping by mixing the remaining 1 cup of granulated sugar and cinnamon into a shallow dish or plate until fully combined. Set aside.
- Once fully rested, cut the dough ball in half. Roll out each half into a square about ¼ -inch thick, then cut the dough into 9 pieces (I used a pizza cutter for this). Each piece should roughly be a 3-inch square. You should have 18 pieces in total. (Some pieces may be rectangular or triangular in shape - that's okay.)
- Working in batches, carefully add 2 sopapilla squares into the hot oil. Using a metal slotted spoon, lightly push down each square so that it is fully submerged in the oil. The dough will immediately begin to puff up quickly and should have a big air pocket in the middle.
- Once the air pocket has formed, remove the slotted spoon and let the dough fry like normal. Flip the sopapillas over after 45 seconds, and let the other side fry.
- When golden brown, remove the sopapillas with a spider strainer and allow any excess oil to drain and drip back into the frying pot. Transfer the sopapillas onto the plate with cinnamon sugar topping and roll until both sides are evenly coated. Set the coated sopapillas aside on the prepared baking sheet. Continue frying and topping the remaining sopapilla squares.
- When ready to serve, drizzle sopapillas with honey.
Notes
- For sweeter dough, add 1-2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup to the dough mixture.
- Cut dough into desired shapes; small squares make bite-sized sopapilla bites.
- Whole wheat flour can substitute all-purpose flour with longer kneading for texture adjustment.
- Milk or milk alternatives can replace water in the dough for a creamier result.
- Top sopapillas with cinnamon sugar and honey, or powdered sugar for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 18sopapillas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 99 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1sopapilla | |
| Calories | 99kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.3g | 2% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Sodium | 89mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 16mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 0.3IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.004mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 17mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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