Description
This classic Sopapillas recipe features light, fluffy fried dough squares, perfect as a sweet Mexican dessert. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these sopapillas are easy to make at home with simple pantry ingredients, fried to golden perfection, and served drizzled with honey or dusted with powdered sugar for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup warm water
For Frying and Serving
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Honey or powdered sugar, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until evenly combined. Cut in the softened butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the warm water and mix gently until a soft dough forms.
- Knead and rest the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead lightly for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 20 minutes to relax the gluten and help the dough puff during frying.
- Roll and cut the dough: Roll the rested dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 3-inch squares or triangles to form individual sopapillas.
- Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or pot to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil to 375°F (190°C) using a thermometer for accuracy to ensure optimal frying temperature.
- Fry the sopapillas: Fry the dough pieces in batches, carefully placing them in the hot oil. Fry each piece for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, turning once, until they puff up and turn golden brown and crisp.
- Drain and serve: Remove the fried sopapillas with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve warm, drizzled with honey or dusted with powdered sugar for a sweet finish.
Notes
- Letting the dough rest helps the sopapillas puff properly and results in a lighter texture.
- For a savory variation, omit the sugar from the dough and serve with salsa or cheese sauce instead of honey or powdered sugar.
- Maintain the oil temperature at 375°F to avoid soggy or greasy sopapillas.
- Use fresh vegetable oil for best flavor and to avoid off-tastes.
