What are sopapillas and where did they originate?

Sopapillas are a type of fried pastry dough, typically light and puffy, often served sweet with honey or savory with fillings. They originate from Spanish cuisine and have become especially popular in the Southwestern United States and Latin America. Traditionally, sopapillas are made by frying a simple dough until it puffs up, creating a hollow center that can be filled or enjoyed plain.

How do you make sopapillas at home?

To make sopapillas at home, combine flour, baking powder, salt, shortening, and warm water to form a dough. Roll it out thinly and cut into squares or triangles. Fry the pieces in hot oil (around 375°F or 190°C) until they puff up and turn golden brown, which usually takes 1-2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and serve warm with honey or fillings like cheese or meat.

What are the common toppings or fillings for sopapillas?

Sopapillas can be served sweet or savory. Popular sweet toppings include honey, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or fruit preserves. Savory options often involve fillings such as seasoned ground beef, beans, cheese, or refried beans. Some recipes also use sopapillas as a bread alternative to scoop up stews or chili.

Are sopapillas gluten-free or how can I make a gluten-free version?

Traditional sopapillas are made with wheat flour and are not gluten-free. To make gluten-free sopapillas, substitute the wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that contains xanthan gum or another binder. Fry the dough as usual, but note that texture and puffiness might vary slightly from the original recipe.

How should I store leftover sopapillas and reheat them?

Leftover sopapillas can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them crispy, reheat them in a hot oven (350°F or 175°C) for about 5-7 minutes or briefly in a skillet with little oil. Avoid microwaving, as this can make them soggy. For longer storage, freeze sopapillas in a sealed container and reheat directly from frozen.

Sopapillas Recipe Quick Easy Homemade Treats Youll Love

Name: Sopapillas
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: – 1 cup flour Forms the base and gives structure to the dough; – 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder Helps the dough rise for that fluffy texture; – ½ teaspoon salt Balances flavors and enhances the taste; – 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients; – 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon warm water Moistens the dough and makes it pliable; – 1-2 inches oil for frying, such as vegetable oil Used to achieve the crispy, golden exterior when heated to about 375°F

Description

🥯 Enjoy the warm, flaky goodness of homemade sopapillas that are quick and easy to make.
🍯 This recipe delivers a light, puffy treat perfect for dusting with powdered sugar or drizzling with honey for a delightful snack.

Ingredients

– 1 cup flour Forms the base and gives structure to the dough

– 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder Helps the dough rise for that fluffy texture

– ½ teaspoon salt Balances flavors and enhances the taste

– 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients

– 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon warm water Moistens the dough and makes it pliable

– 1-2 inches oil for frying, such as vegetable oil Used to achieve the crispy, golden exterior when heated to about 375°F

Instructions

1-Getting started with sopapillas is fun and straightforward, beginning with mixing the dry ingredients. Combine 1 cup of flour, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt in a medium bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable shortening and cut it in using forks or a pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs.

2-Gradually stir in 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon of warm water until the dough forms and pulls together. Knead the dough in the bowl for a few minutes until it’s smooth, then cover and let it rest for 20 minutes. This resting time is crucial as it makes the dough easier to roll and helps it puff up perfectly.

3-Once rested, roll the dough into a square about 1/8 inch thick and cut it into 9 pieces with three vertical and three horizontal cuts. Heat 1-2 inches of oil in a medium saucepan to around 375°F. Using tongs, carefully place each piece into the hot oil; it will sink at first then float to the top.

4-Spoon hot oil over the dough to encourage puffing, frying each side for about 30 seconds until golden. Transfer the sopapillas to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve them warm, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with honey or sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. The total preparation time is about 30 minutes, with 5 minutes for prep, 20 minutes resting, and 5 minutes frying.

Notes

🍩 Make sure the oil is hot enough (375°F) to help sopapillas puff up beautifully.
🥄 Use a pastry blender or two forks to cut in shortening evenly for flakier texture.
🕒 Let the dough rest covered to allow gluten to relax, resulting in tender sopapillas.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Resting Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Snack, Dessert
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sopapilla
Calories: 150
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 120 mg
Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: Sopapillas,Quick,Easy,Homemade Treats