Contents
- 1 The First Bite
- 2 My Kitchen Mishap
- 3 Why They Work
- 4 A Taste of History
- 5 Ingredients:
- 6 Making Your Own Sopapillas at Home
- 7 Three Tasty Twists on a Classic
- 8 Serving Your Sweet Sopapillas
- 9 Storing Your Sopapillas
- 10 Simple Troubleshooting Tips
- 11 Your Sopapilla Questions
- 12 Share Your Sweet Creation
- 13 Easy Homemade Sopapillas with Honey Drizzle
The First Bite
I remember my first hot sopapilla. It was at a tiny roadside cafe. The crispy square puffed up perfectly. I dipped it in golden honey. That sweet, warm taste stuck with me. Ever wondered how you could make these at home? It is easier than you think. Your kitchen will smell amazing. You will feel like a pro baker. Everyone will ask for your secret.
My Kitchen Mishap
My first try was not perfect. I did not wait for the oil to heat. The first sopapilla was a sad, oily blob. I learned patience that day. Getting the temperature right is key. This matters because cooking teaches us to slow down. Good food needs a little care. Now I always use my thermometer. My results are much better now.
Why They Work
Two things make this treat special. The nutmeg adds a warm, secret flavor. The hot frying creates a light, airy pocket. Then you roll it in cinnamon sugar. Finally, you dip it in sweet honey. Which flavor combo surprises you most? Tell me in the comments below. I love reading your ideas.
A Taste of History
This fried pastry comes from New Mexico. It has deep roots in Spanish and Native American cooking. Families have shared it for generations. It is a food of celebration and home. *Did you know sopapillas might date back to Spanish explorers?* They used simple, available ingredients. This is history you can taste. What is your favorite food memory? Share your story with me.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 4 cups | |
| Baking powder | 2 teaspoons | |
| Fine sea salt | 1 teaspoon | |
| Ground nutmeg | 1/4 teaspoon | |
| Vegetable shortening | 4 tablespoons | cut into small cubes |
| Warm water | 1 1/2 cups | |
| Sugar | 1 cup | |
| Ground cinnamon | 2 teaspoons | |
| Vegetable oil | 2 quarts | for frying |
| Honey | As needed | for dipping and optional |
Making Your Own Sopapillas at Home
Step 1Start by mixing your dry ingredients in a big bowl. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg together. This makes sure everything is spread out evenly. Then add your shortening and warm water. Step 2
Mix it all until a soft dough forms. Do not mix it for too long, just until combined. Cover the bowl with a damp towel for fifteen minutes. Letting the dough rest makes it easier to roll. Step 3
While the dough rests, make your cinnamon sugar. Just stir sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Then roll the dough out on a floured surface. Cut it into small squares, about three inches wide. Step 4
Now, heat your oil in a big pot. You want it to reach 375 degrees for frying. (A hard-learned tip: use a thermometer for the right temperature). Fry a couple of squares at a time until golden. Step 5
Drain the hot sopapillas on a wire rack. Wait a moment for the shiny oil to fade. Then toss each warm piece in the cinnamon sugar. Serve them immediately with a big bowl of honey. What is the key to a light, puffy sopapilla? Share below! Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Yield: 24 sopapillas
Category: Dessert, Snack
Three Tasty Twists on a Classic
Try these fun ideas to change up your treat. Chocolate Dip: Melt chocolate with a little cream for dipping. Citrus Zest: Add orange or lemon zest to the cinnamon sugar. Savory Bite: Skip the sugar and top with garlic powder and parsley. Each version brings its own special joy to the table. Which of these spins sounds the most delicious to you? Tell me your favorite idea in the comments below!Serving Your Sweet Sopapillas
These are best shared with friends right away. For a full dessert, pair with vanilla ice cream or fresh fruit. A dusting of powdered sugar on top looks lovely. For drinks, try cold milk or a hot coffee. A sweet dessert wine also goes perfectly with the honey. So many wonderful ways to enjoy this simple pastry. Which pairing would you choose for your dessert tonight?
Storing Your Sopapillas
Keep leftover sopapillas in a sealed container. They stay good for two days at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer first. Then place them in a freezer bag for up to a month. Reheat in a toaster oven or air fryer to keep them crispy.
You can mix the dry ingredients ahead of time. This makes whipping up a batch so fast. My grandkids love when I do this for a surprise treat. What is your favorite quick dessert to make? Let me know in the comments.
Simple Troubleshooting Tips
Sopapillas not puffing up? Your oil might not be hot enough. Always use a thermometer for the best results. If they are too tough, you may have overmixed the dough. Just mix until it comes together.
Are they soaking up too much oil? The oil temperature is likely too low. Let it heat back up between batches. Getting the temperature right matters for a light, not greasy, treat. This makes the snack feel special, not heavy.
Your Sopapilla Questions
Can I make these gluten-free? Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture might be a bit different but still tasty.
Can I make the dough ahead? Absolutely. Wrap it tightly and refrigerate for a day. Let it warm up a bit before rolling.
What can I use instead of shortening? Butter is a good swap. It will change the flavor slightly but works well.
Can I double this recipe? You sure can. Just fry in small batches so the oil temperature stays steady.
No nutmeg, what now? Just leave it out. The cinnamon sugar coating gives most of the flavor.
I hope these sopapillas bring joy to your table. They are a simple pleasure that everyone loves. I want to see your beautiful results. Share your photos and tag Savory Discovery on Pinterest. Happy cooking! —Elowen Thorn.
Easy Homemade Sopapillas with Honey Drizzle
Description
Made with simple pantry ingredients, these Homemade Sopapillas are light, crispy, rolled in cinnamon sugar and dipped in sweet honey!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Whisk or sift together the4 cups flour,2 teaspoon baking powder,1 teaspoon fine sea saltand¼ teaspoon ground nutmegin a medium bowl or bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- Add the cubed4 tablespoons vegetable shorteningand1 ½ cups warm water, mixing until dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Cover bowl with a damp tea towel for 15 minutes to let rest.
- While dough rests, combine the1 cup sugarand2 teaspoons ground cinnamonin a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Roll out onto a clean, lightly floured work surface. Roll to 1/8 inch thick and cut into 3-4 inch squares.
- Use a deep fryer thermometer, heat2 quarts vegetable oilin a large saucepan to 375 degrees.
- Fry sopapillas 2 at a time for 1-2 minutes on each side or until lightly brown.
- Remove to a wire rack over a baking sheet.
- While still warm, but after the glisten of oil has subsided, toss in cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Enjoy while hot or warm and dip inhoney.
- If you have tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.