Puffy and pillowy Sopapillas are fried to perfection and topped with honey for a simple and delicious Mexican dessert.
Similar in consistency to Indian Fry Bread, Sopapillas are tasty pieces of fried bread served as a dessert. It’s a fun treat anytime, but especially to pair with a Mexican dinner!
What is a Sopapilla?
Sopapillas (or sopaipillas) are dough that puff up when fried and they have a hollow center. They are a type of quick bread served in several regions with Hispanic heritage (Wikipedia).
They are pillow shaped and usually dusted in sugar (sometimes powdered sugar, sometimes cinnamon sugar), then drizzled with honey.
Even though they are most commonly served as dessert, they can also be filled with sweet or savory ingredients after they have been fried.
My kids are always requesting them for dessert (no surprise they’re called the “the doughnuts of the Southwest). It’s such a fun treat that can be enjoyed for any occasion.
However you decide to eat them, you will LOVE these homemade sopapillas.
How to Make Sopapillas
DOUGH. Start by making the Sopapilla dough. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the shortening using a pastry blender or two knives, until the pieces are no bigger than pea sized. Pour in the warm water and mix to form a dough.
REST. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for twenty minutes.
OIL. While the dough is resting, heat the oil in a deep fryer or heavy bottomed pan or pot until the temperature of the oil is 375 degrees.
FRY. Roll the dough out with a rolling pin to ¼ inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough into 3 inch squares. Fry each square in hot vegetable oil until it puffs up and turns golden brown on both sides. Take each batch out of the hot oil and drain on a paper towel lined plate.
SERVE. Serve the Sopapillas warm, and drizzle with honey.
RECIPE TIPS
A few tips to keep in mind when making these sopapillas:
- Lard gives these the best possible flavor, but you can also use vegetable shortening. Butter can be used, but because is has a different melting point, the results may vary.
- If your oil is hot enough (375°F), they should only take about 15 seconds per side to fry.
How to Change it Up:
We prefer to serve these little pillows of goodness sweet, like many Tex-Mex restaurants. Having said that, they’re also served savory like they do in Northern New Mexico. Either way – they’re delicious!
- SWEET IDEAS: Try stuffing them with whipped cream and fresh berries. You can also sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- SAVORY IDEAS: Skip sprinkling them with sugar and fill them with taco meat, Cafe Rio Shredded chicken or Carne asada. Cover with chile and cheese and top with lettuce and tomato.
Making Ahead & Storing
Sopapillas can be made ahead of time in either dough form or cooked.
- Dough: The dough can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. To freeze the dough: Place the dough in a freezer Ziploc and wrap that with aluminum foil. Label and freeze for 1-2 months. Thaw the dough, roll and fry as directed.
- Cooked: You can fry these up and keep them warm in a 200°F oven for up to one hour. You can also store them at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
How to store? Store Sopapillas in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. They will last 2-4 days if stored properly.
How to reheat? Set the oven to 300°F place Sopapillas in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake until just warm, this will only take about 5 minutes. Be sure you do not over heat them or they will dry out and harden.
For more Mexican Desserts, try:
- Tres Leches Cake
- Arroz con Leche
- Churro Cheesecake Bars
- Cinnamon Chips
- Mexican Hot Chocolate
- Cheesecake Chimichanga
- Mexican Wedding Cookies
Sopapilla Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons shortening
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 2 quarts oil for frying
- honey
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the shortening using a pastry blender or two knives, until the pieces are no bigger than pea sized. Pour in the warm water and mix to form a dough. Cover and let rest twenty minutes.
- While the dough is resting, heat the oil in a deep fryer or heaving bottomed pan to 375 degrees.
- Roll the dough out to ¼ inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough into 3 inch squares. Fry until golden brown on both sides, then drain on paper towels. Serve warm drizzled with honey.
It’s only been until recently that I tried these. I’m way behind & I’ve totally been missing out! They are light & airy & perfectly sweet!
THIS RECIPE IS A KEEPER — SO GOOD!
My favorite! When i saw your recipe i knew i had to make these. they were sooo good!
I usually Pair my Mexican food with American desserts. I’ll have to try making this next time. They look simple, but yummy.
I tasted this dessert in Denver in 1985. This is a treat to make.
You have a great memory! They are delicious!
How do you fill a sopapilla, before or after frying n If before how?
You would fill the so papilla after frying. Just cut a slit in the side if stuffing with beef or beans, or a small opening if injecting cream or jam/berries.
Hope these are as good as I think they are. I have one lady that constantly makes Mexican dishes. This will be a good surprise
Does anybody know if you can replace the butter for the shortening
Ohhh I’d go for a cinnamon sugar sopapilla right about now! So fluffy and delicous!
Could you make these in an air fryer?
I haven’t tried these in an air fryer before. I suppose you could, but haven’t tried it. If you do, you’ll have to let us know how they turn out!
Wow! I have never made these before and now I will make them all the time! My family loved these, thank you!
I love these puffy sopapillas more than the flat and crispy ones! thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
What kind of oil did you use?
Looks delicious. Thank you