Sopapillas are delightful deep-fried pastries that originate from Spanish and Latin American cuisine. These light and airy treats are a favorite dessert or snack, often enjoyed with honey or apricot preserves. Their crisp exterior and soft, fluffy interior make them an irresistible indulgence. Key ingredients like flour, honey, and milk combine to create a simple yet delicious dough, which is then fried to golden perfection. This recipe provides a straightforward method to make sopapillas at home, ensuring they are as delightful as any you’d find in a traditional bakery.

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Ingredients Needed

This recipe requires a handful of basic ingredients, each playing a crucial role in the final product. For frying, you will need canola oil, peanut oil, or lard, as these oils are perfect for achieving the right frying temperature and imparting a subtle flavor. The dough’s foundation is 2 cups of all-purpose flour, which provides structure and texture. A tablespoon of granulated sugar adds a touch of sweetness, while a tablespoon of baking powder ensures the dough puffs up beautifully during frying. Two teaspoons of kosher salt enhance the overall flavor and balance the sweetness. The dough’s moisture and richness come from 3/4 cup of whole milk, and a tablespoon of honey infuses it with a delicate sweetness and helps bind the ingredients.

Making the Dough

Begin by combining the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center of the dry mix and pour in the honey and milk. Using a spoon or your hands, mix until a sticky mass forms. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest for about 20 minutes. Resting allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to work with and ensuring a better texture after frying.

To achieve the perfect dough consistency, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing. This helps them combine more smoothly. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle a bit more flour as you knead, but be careful not to add too much, as this can make the dough tough. Avoid overworking the dough to keep it light and airy.

Frying the Sopapillas

Frying is a crucial step that requires attention to detail. In a cast iron skillet or medium pot, pour enough oil to reach about 3 inches up the sides. Heat the oil to approximately 300 degrees Fahrenheit initially. This lower temperature helps the sopapillas cook evenly.

Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking. After the dough has rested, transfer it onto the floured surface and roll it out to a thin square, roughly 1/8 inch thick. Precision in shape isn’t essential, so feel free to estimate. Cut the dough into rectangles approximately 4 x 3 inches in size.

Before frying, prepare your honey and line a baking sheet or plate with several layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Increase the oil temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for frying. Carefully drop the sopapillas into the hot oil, frying two to three at a time. Fry for about a minute, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. If they don’t puff up, the dough might not be rolled thin enough, but they will still be delicious.

Cook until they are lightly golden brown and not overly crispy. Transfer them to the paper towel-lined tray to drain. Repeat the process with the remaining dough. If you need to keep the sopapillas warm while frying the rest, place them in a 200-degree preheated oven.

Recipe Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

Expert advice for beginners and advanced cooks: Start with room temperature ingredients and avoid overworking the dough to maintain a light texture.
Tips for ensuring the sopapillas puff up perfectly: Roll the dough thinly and maintain a consistent oil temperature for even puffing.
Alternative ingredients or variations to try: Experiment with different types of flour or add spices like cinnamon to the dough for a unique twist.
What are some common issues with making sopapillas?
- If the sopapillas don’t puff up, it’s often due to the dough not being rolled thin enough or the oil temperature not being high enough.
- If they are too greasy, the oil temperature might be too low, causing them to absorb more oil.
How can I store and reheat leftovers?
- Store sopapillas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Reheat in a 200-degree oven for a few minutes to regain their crispness.

What to Serve With This Recipe

Sopapillas pair wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments. Traditionally, they are served with honey, but apricot preserves add a delightful fruity note. Consider serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. They also complement savory dishes well, such as chili or grilled meats, adding a sweet contrast to the meal. For beverages, a warm cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk perfectly complements their sweetness.

This sopapillas recipe offers a straightforward method to create a beloved treat that is sure to delight. With a few simple ingredients and some careful frying, you can enjoy these light, fluffy pastries at home. Whether served as a dessert or a snack, sopapillas are best enjoyed fresh and warm. So gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and savor the delicious results. Happy cooking!

Ingredients

Canola oil, peanut oil, or lard, for frying
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

To Make The Dough:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt by whisking them together. Form a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour in the honey and whole milk.

Mix the dough using a spoon or your hands until it becomes a sticky mass. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest for about 20 minutes.

To Fry The Sopapillas:

Frying these treats is essential and definitely worth the effort. In a cast iron skillet or a medium-sized pot, pour enough oil to reach 3 inches up the sides. Heat the oil to approximately 300 degrees Fahrenheit. (Before frying, we’ll increase the temperature further.)

Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. If the dough is still sticky after resting, sprinkle it with a bit of flour to prevent sticking.

Transfer the dough onto the counter and roll it out to a thin square, about 1/8 inch thick. The shape doesn’t need to be perfect. Cut the dough into rectangles roughly 4 x 3 inches in size. Precision isn’t necessary; you can estimate these measurements.

Before frying, prepare your honey and line a baking sheet or plate with a few layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Heat the oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Carefully drop the sopapillas into the hot oil, frying two to three at a time for about a minute. Flip them halfway through. If they don’t puff up, they’ll still be delicious; it might just mean the dough wasn’t rolled thin enough.

Fry them until they are lightly golden brown and not too crispy. Transfer them to the paper towel-lined tray to drain. Repeat this process with the remaining dough.

Sopapillas are best enjoyed straight from the fryer, but if you need to keep them warm while frying the rest, place them in a 200-degree preheated oven.

Serve the sopapillas with honey and apricot preserves for a delightful treat.