What are Mexican sopapillas made of?

They're made from flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, milk, and a touch of honey. Fried until golden, they’re usually served with honey or cinnamon sugar.

Are beignets and sopapillas the same thing?

Not exactly. While both are fried dough, beignets are typically square and dusted with powdered sugar, while sopapillas puff up more and are served with honey.

Are sopapillas a Texas thing?

Sopapillas are more commonly associated with New Mexican cuisine , but they are also enjoyed across the Southwest, including Texas.

Why don’t my sopapillas puff up?

Most often, the dough isn’t rolled thin enough or the oil isn’t hot enough. Be sure to follow the temperature guidelines and test a single sopapilla before continuing.

Can I make sopapillas without shortening?

Yes! You can use canola oil, peanut oil, or even lard for frying.

Sopapillas: Fluffy Treats from New Mexico

Description

Sopapillas are a traditional New Mexican fried dough treat, perfect for pairing with honey or cinnamon sugar. These light, fluffy pillows of dough are fried to golden perfection and can be served in both sweet or savory contexts, making them a versatile and irresistible dessert or snack.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the honey and whole milk.
Mix the dough together using a spoon or your hands until it forms a sticky mass. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rest for 20 minutes.
Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll the dough out into a thin (1/8-inch thick) square and cut it into 4×3-inch rectangles.
In a cast-iron skillet or medium pot, heat enough oil to reach 3 inches up the sides, and heat the oil to 375°F.
Fry the dough squares in batches, turning halfway through until lightly golden brown, about 1 minute per side.
Transfer the sopapillas to paper towels to drain and serve immediately with honey or cinnamon sugar.

Notes

Test the oil temperature with a single sopapilla. If it doesn’t puff up, the dough might be too thick.
Sopapillas are best served immediately, but you can keep them warm in an oven set to 200°F while frying the rest.
For a savory option, sopapillas can be served alongside mole or enchiladas.

Prep Time: 40 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Category: Dessert
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sopapilla
Calories: 197 kcal
Sugar: 9.2 g
Sodium: 791 mg
Fat: 1 g
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 41.1 g
Fiber: 1.1 g
Protein: 5.3 g
Cholesterol: 3 mg

Keywords: sopapillas, fried dough, New Mexican dessert, honey sopapillas, cinnamon sugar, sweet dessert, fried treats