Easy Sopapillas

Picture this: a soft, airy dough that puffs up beautifully as it fries, turning into golden, crisp squares with just the right amount of sweetness. That’s exactly what you get with Easy Sopapillas—a dessert that’s deceptively simple but so, so satisfying. Whether you’re serving them as a snack, dessert, or even a fun addition to a Mexican meal, these sopapillas are guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends. And the best part? You only need a few ingredients to whip them up, and they’re done in no time!

Why You’ll Love It

  • Quick and Simple: This recipe is as easy as it gets! With just a few ingredients and a few minutes, you’ll have fresh, warm sopapillas ready to enjoy.
  • Customizable: Whether you love them drizzled with honey, dusted with powdered sugar, or served with a chocolate sauce, these sopapillas are incredibly versatile.
  • Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn’t love something fried and sweet? These are sure to disappear fast, making them a perfect treat for any gathering.
  • Kid-Friendly: Easy for little hands to help with, making them a fun recipe to do together with your kids.

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Ingredients for Easy Sopapillas

Flour

The main base for your dough—plain all-purpose flour works perfectly here.

Baking Powder

This helps the dough puff up as it fries, giving the sopapillas their signature light texture.

Salt

A pinch of salt enhances the flavor and balances out the sweetness.

Sugar

Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the dough.

Butter

A little bit of melted butter gives the dough a rich, soft texture.

Milk

Brings everything together into a soft dough that’s easy to roll out.

Vegetable Oil

For frying. This oil gives the sopapillas their crispy, golden-brown exterior.

Honey or Powdered Sugar (Optional)

For topping—drizzle with honey for a sweet finish, or dust with powdered sugar for a simple, classic touch.

Instructions

1. Make the Dough

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add in the melted butter and milk, mixing until a dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour until it’s soft but not sticky.

2. Roll Out the Dough

On a floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Don’t worry about making perfect squares—imperfect shapes are part of the charm!

3. Cut the Dough

Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into squares or triangles—whatever shape you like best.

4. Heat the Oil

In a large frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. You want enough oil to submerge the sopapillas about halfway, so adjust accordingly.

5. Fry the Sopapillas

Carefully drop the dough pieces into the hot oil. Fry them for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they puff up and turn golden brown. Use tongs to flip them and ensure both sides are crispy.

6. Drain the Sopapillas

Remove the fried sopapillas from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil.

7. Top and Serve

While the sopapillas are still warm, drizzle with honey or dust with powdered sugar, depending on your preference. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (Estimated per serving)

Calories: 130
Protein: 2g
Fat: 7g
Carbohydrates: 17g
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 130mg
Fiber: 1g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Prep and Cook Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6-8

Variations

  • Chocolate Drizzle: For a more indulgent treat, drizzle your sopapillas with melted chocolate or serve with a side of chocolate dipping sauce.
  • Cinnamon-Sugar: After frying, toss the sopapillas in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a warm, spiced twist on the classic.
  • Fruit Toppings: Serve with fresh fruit like berries or sliced bananas for a fresh and slightly tangy balance to the sweetness.

FAQ

Q1: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A1: Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just let it come to room temperature before rolling it out.

Q2: Can I bake these instead of frying?
A2: While they won’t have the same crispy texture, you can bake them at 400°F for about 10 minutes, or until they’re golden and puffed up.

Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Store any leftover sopapillas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving.

Q4: Can I freeze sopapillas?
A4: Yes! You can freeze the cooked sopapillas for up to 1 month. Reheat them in the oven to restore some crispness.

Q5: Can I add fillings to sopapillas?
A5: Definitely! You can fill them with sweet fillings like chocolate chips, fruit preserves, or whipped cream before frying for a fun twist.

Q6: What’s the best oil to use for frying?
A6: Vegetable oil is the most common, but you can also use canola or sunflower oil—just make sure it has a high smoke point for frying.

Q7: Can I make these gluten-free?
A7: Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour to make these sopapillas gluten-free.

Q8: Can I make these savory?
A8: Absolutely! Skip the sugar and drizzle with some savory toppings like cheese, or serve with salsa or guacamole for a fun appetizer.

Q9: How do I make the sopapillas extra crispy?
A9: To make them extra crispy, ensure the oil is hot enough before adding the dough and fry them for a little longer until they’re golden brown.

Q10: Can I serve these with ice cream?
A10: Yes! Sopapillas pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.

Conclusion

Easy Sopapillas are a sweet, crispy, and oh-so-satisfying treat that comes together in minutes. Whether you’re serving them for a cozy family night or as a surprise treat for guests, these little dough pillows will be the star of the show. Warm, golden, and perfect for dipping in honey or sprinkling with powdered sugar, they’re a fun and simple dessert that’s bound to make everyone smile. So grab your ingredients, fry up a batch, and treat yourself to a delicious bite of heaven!

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Easy Sopapillas


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  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 1012 sopapillas 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Easy Sopapillas are light, puffy, and crispy fried pastries dusted with cinnamon sugar. These sweet, melt-in-your-mouth treats are perfect for serving as a dessert or snack and are incredibly simple to make with just a few basic ingredients.


Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour,2 teaspoons baking powder,1/2 teaspoon salt,2 tablespoons granulated sugar,3/4 cup warm water,2 tablespoons vegetable oil,1/2 cup cinnamon sugar (1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon),Oil for frying


Instructions

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and granulated sugar.,Add the warm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.,Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 2-3 minutes, until smooth.,Divide the dough into 10-12 small balls, then roll each ball out into a 1/4-inch thick circle.,In a large frying pan or deep fryer, heat oil to 350°F (175°C).,Carefully fry the dough circles in batches for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and puffed up.,Remove the sopapillas from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.,While still warm, dust the sopapillas with the cinnamon sugar mixture.,Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

For a more decadent treat, drizzle honey over the sopapillas before serving.,Be careful when frying the sopapillas; the oil can get hot quickly. Fry them in small batches to prevent overcrowding the pan.,Sopapillas are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for a day in an airtight container.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 sopapilla
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 90mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 21g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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