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Sopapillas at Home Recipe

Sopapillas at Home Recipe

5 from 21 reviews

This homemade Sopapillas recipe brings a delightful traditional New Mexican fried pastry to your kitchen. Light and fluffy inside with a crispy golden crust, these sopapillas are dusted with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with honey for a sweet, irresistible treat perfect for dessert or snack time.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp shortening
  • ¾ cup hot water

For Frying

  • 2 cups vegetable oil

For Dusting & Drizzling

  • ¼ cup confectioners sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 4 tbsp honey

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the shortening and mix with your hands until well incorporated and crumbly.
  2. Add Hot Water: Pour the hot water gradually into the bowl. Use your fingers to combine the flour mixture and water until dough begins to form.
  3. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a clean surface and knead for 4-5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Shape it into a ball and return it to the bowl.
  4. Rest the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it rest for at least 20 minutes to relax the gluten, making it easier to roll out.
  5. Divide Dough: Lightly knead the rested dough, form into a ball again, flatten slightly, and cut into 4 equal pieces using a knife or pastry cutter.
  6. Heat Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a large pot and heat over medium-low heat until it reaches 350ºF (175ºC).
  7. Roll Dough Pieces: Roll each piece into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to flatten one ball into a 6-inch diameter disk about ⅛ to ¼ inch thick. Cover the remaining dough pieces to prevent drying.
  8. Cut and Fry: Cut each disk into four triangle-shaped pieces. Carefully place a few triangles at a time into the hot oil without overcrowding. The sopapillas will puff up immediately.
  9. Cook Until Golden: Fry the sopapillas for about 2-3 minutes per side, turning once, until golden brown and crispy. Total frying time is about 4-5 minutes per batch.
  10. Drain Excess Oil: Use a slotted spatula to remove the fried sopapillas and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Repeat with remaining dough.
  11. Serve: Dust the warm sopapillas with confectioners sugar mixed with ground cinnamon. Drizzle generously with honey before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure the oil temperature is steady at 350ºF to get perfectly puffed sopapillas without absorbing too much oil.
  • Shortening can be substituted with unsalted butter or lard for a richer flavor.
  • For a vegan option, replace shortening with vegetable shortening or coconut oil and ensure honey is substituted with agave syrup or maple syrup.
  • Do not overcrowd the oil during frying to maintain the correct oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
  • Sopapillas are best served warm for optimal texture and flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: sopapillas recipe, homemade sopapillas, fried dough, New Mexican dessert, cinnamon sugar sopapillas, honey drizzled pastries