This easy New Mexican sopapillas recipe is made with light, puffy pillows of fried dough. Serve this homemade treat with a drizzle of honey or dusting of powdered sugar!
Homemade Sopapillas
Homemade sopapillas are the perfect dessert for Cinco De Mayo! With their light, airy texture and irresistible sweetness, these fried dough treats are the perfect companion to many Cinco de Mayo recipes.
Whether you’re new to the art of frying bread or a pro, New-Mexican sopapillas are bound to become one of your family’s favorites. Soon you’ll also be making other fried pastries like fry bread or churros and if you want to skip frying, try sopapilla cheesecake bars.
Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Flour: All-purpose flour works the best for the perfect dough consistency.
- Shortening or softened butter: I prefer shortening for a tender, flaky texture.
- Baking powder and salt: A leavener to help the dough rise and salt for flavor.
- Warm water to bring the dough together into a soft, workable texture.
- Oil for deep frying: Vegetable oil works best as you can get it to the right temperature without it smoking. Canola oil or peanut oil both work, too.
Substitutions and Variations
Try these twists on the basic sopapillas recipe!
- Sprinkle some cinnamon sugar over the freshly fried dough.
- Stuff with whipped cream after frying and serve with fresh fruit and honey.
- For a savory version, stuff the dough with taco meat or shredded chicken fajita meat.
How to Make Sopapillas
It takes about 30 minutes to fry up a batch of these delicious Mexican sopapillas. It’s important to let the dough rest for 20 minutes before frying, so make sure you don’t skip this step.
- Prepare the dough. Start by mixing your dry ingredients, then incorporate the shortening, followed by warm water to form a soft dough.
- Cut into squares. Let the dough rest, then use a rolling pin to roll it out thin and cut it into squares, ready for frying.
- Fry them until golden. Use a large Dutch oven to fry the sopapillas in hot oil until golden and transfer them to a wire rack.
- Sprinkle and serve. Serve warm with your choice of sweet or savory toppings. We are partial to drizzling them with honey and drizzling with powdered sugar.
Tips
- Ensure the oil is at the right temperature for frying to avoid soggy or overly greasy sopapillas.
- Don’t overcrowd the pot when frying; cooking in batches ensures each sopapilla cooks evenly.
- Letting the dough rest is crucial for developing the texture, so don’t skip this step.
Recipe Tips
- If your sopaipillas are not puffing up the oil was not hot enough! The oil should shimmer or to be precise check with a thermometer, it should be 350°F – 360°F.
- Remember to drain on a wire rack or paper towels after frying. Otherwise they may end up greasy.
- If adding cinnamon sugar do so while the homemade sopapillas are warm so it sticks.
- These are best served fresh! As they sit they start to get dense, heavy and greasy.
Serving Suggestions
Try these twists on the basic sopapillas recipe!
- Sprinkle some cinnamon sugar over the freshly fried dough.
- Stuff with whipped cream after frying and serve with fresh fruit and honey.
- Garnish with sweet honey or powdered sugar. Add hot fudge sauce, caramel sauce, or Nutella for dipping.
- If you’re going with a savory option, you can serve them with ground beef tacos, or cheese enchiladas or even split them open and stuff with taco meat.
More pastry recipes to try include New Orleans beignets, apple turnovers and maple bacon donuts.
Mexican-Inspired Dessert Recipes
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Sopapillas Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour , plus more or less as needed
- 2 Tablespoons shortening , or softened butter
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup warm water (100℉)
- Vegetable oil , for deep frying
For serving: powdered sugar, honey
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add 2 Tablespoons shortening and use a pastry cutter to blend it until it resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in 3/4 cup warm water and stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels sticky, sprinkle a little more flour. Knead the dough 1-2 minutes.
- Rest the Dough: Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for about 20 minutes.
- Prep: Set a wire racks over a baking sheet and place it next to the pot of oil along with tongs. Alternatively line a plate with paper towels.
- Roll: Lightly flour your countertop and roll out dough about 1/8-inch thick (the thinner the better). Cut the dough into 12 squares and cover with a tea towel while heating the oil.
- Heat: Fill a large 4-quart Dutch oven pot with a few inches of oil. Heat over medium heat to 350℉. Fry the sopapillas, in batches, about 1 minute per side, or until golden brown. Using tongs, transfer the sopapillas to the first wire rack.
- Serve: These are best served warm on the first day. Top with powdered sugar and honey.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
Sopapillas as known in the United States are a traditional New Mexico fried dough originating from northern Mexico. The pastry is puffy and golden, and typically served for dessert with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar and honey.
Yes, softened butter is an excellent substitute for shortening in this recipe.
You can make the dough the day before and do a slow rise in the refrigerator overnight. Bring the dough to room temperature for 30 minutes before frying.
Although they are best enjoyed fresh, sopapillas can be stored in an airtight container and gently reheated in the microwave for 10 seconds.
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, Bread, Cinco De Mayo, Desserts, Kid-Friendly, Mexican, Reader Favorites, Stovetop
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Turned out great! – Recipe Tester
Sopapillas made easy at home! Perfect for Cinco de Mayo or any time you crave a sweet, fluffy treat. Light, airy, and so satisfying. You won’t believe how simple they are! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Ash! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the sopapillas!
I love this!! Definitely adding this to out Cinco de Mayo list! Thanks!
AMAZING!! I am finishing the last one with my coffee. These were even better than my grandmother’s!