Homemade Sopapillas Recipe

Introduction

Sopapillas are light, fluffy fried pastries that are perfect for a sweet treat. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they’re traditionally served warm with honey drizzled on top. Making them at home is easier than you might think and yields delicious results.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup shortening
• 1 ½ cups warm water*
• oil for frying (4-6 cups, 2-3 inches deep)
• honey (for serving)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
2. Step 2: Add the shortening and warm water to the dry ingredients. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix into a dough. Cover and let it rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.
3. Step 3: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
4. Step 4: Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into approximately 3-inch squares. The shapes don’t need to be perfect.
5. Step 5: Heat about 1 ½ inches of oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pot to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking sheet lined with paper towels for draining.
6. Step 6: Fry the dough squares in batches, a few at a time to avoid overcrowding. Cook each side for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Use a slotted spoon to remove and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
7. Step 7: Repeat frying until all sopapillas are cooked. Serve warm with a drizzle of honey.

Tips & Variations

• Use warm water around 100°F (38°C) to help the dough come together smoothly without killing the leavening effect of the baking powder.
• For a sweeter version, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top instead of honey.
• To make them more savory, skip the honey and add a pinch of salt to the dough or serve with dipping sauces.

Storage

Store leftover sopapillas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain crispness. To reheat, warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use butter instead of shortening?

Yes, melted butter can be used in place of shortening, but it may slightly change the texture and flavor, making the sopapillas a bit richer.

What oil is best for frying sopapillas?

Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. These oils ensure a clean flavor and safe frying at high temperatures.

Homemade Sopapillas Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 150 reviews

• Author: Mariam
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 20–24 sopapillas 1x

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Description

Homemade Sopapillas are light, airy, and crispy fried pastries with a golden exterior and a soft, pillowy inside. This traditional recipe involves a simple dough made from flour, baking powder, salt, shortening, and warm water, which is rolled, cut into squares, and deep-fried until puffed and golden. Serve them warm drizzled with honey for a sweet and satisfying treat perfect for breakfast, dessert, or whenever a craving strikes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup shortening
• 1 ½ cups warm water

For Frying

• Oil for frying (4-6 cups, about 2-3 inches deep)

For Serving

• Honey (for drizzling)

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Instructions

1. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
2. Mix Dough: Add the shortening and warm water to the dry ingredients. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix the dough until it comes together. Cover the bowl and let the dough rest at room temperature for 20 minutes to hydrate and relax.
3. Cut Dough: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Using a pizza cutter, slice the dough into approximately 3-inch squares. Precision is not required; rustic shapes work well.
4. Heat Oil: Pour 1 ½ inches of oil into a Dutch oven or deep heavy pot and heat it to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain the fried sopapillas.
5. Fry Sopapillas: Once the oil reaches temperature, carefully fry the sopapilla squares in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown and puffed up. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and transfer to the paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess oil.
6. Repeat Frying: Continue frying the remaining dough squares in batches until all are cooked.
7. Serve Warm: Serve the sopapillas warm with a drizzle of honey for a deliciously sweet finish.

Notes

• Ensure the oil temperature stays steady at 375°F to achieve crispy, puffed sopapillas.
• Do not overcrowd the pot while frying; this drops the oil temperature and causes sogginess.
• The dough can be kept covered for up to 30 minutes if you want to prepare it in advance.
• Shortening can be substituted with unsalted butter for a richer flavor, though the texture may slightly vary.
• Sopapillas are best enjoyed fresh and warm for the ideal crispness and softness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Latin American

Keywords: sopapillas, homemade sopapillas, fried pastries, dessert, latin american dessert, honey sopapillas, fried dough