Authentic Sopapilla Recipe

Name: Authentic Sopapilla Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 500 grams of all-purpose flour (4 cups); 7 grams of instant dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons); 5 grams of baking powder (1 teaspoon); 5 grams salt (1 teaspoon); 60 grams of butter (4 tablespoons), melted); 240 ml of warm milk or water (1 cup); 700 grams vegetable oil (3 cups, for frying)

This Authentic recipe for homemade sopapillas is made using traditional and modern cooking methods with the addition of both baking powder and instant dry yeast, this authentic sopapilla recipe creates a dough that is both fluffy and crispy. Follow the step-by-step instructions to make the best sopapillas possible and enjoy traditional New Mexican cuisine at home with endless toppings and variations.

Authentic Sopapillas are a staple in New Mexican cuisine and are typically served as a dessert or for a breakfast as an option. Whether you’re looking to make sopapillas for a large gathering or just for you and your family, this recipe is perfect. You can add simple toppings such as icing sugar, maple syrup, honey, or cinnamon sugar to create a variety of Sopailla flavors.

What Are Sopapillas?

Sopapillas are a traditional fried pastry that originates from New Mexico. These fried pastries are made from dough that is typically made with flour, yeast, baking powder, salt, butter, and warm milk. They are can be served as a dessert or breakfast and are often dusted with icing sugar or drizzled with honey or sweet syrup.

Key Ingredients Plus Substitutions

All-purpose flour: My preferred flour for this recipe is all-purpose to make the sopapilla dough. You can swap the ap flour and use other types of flour such as whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour blend, but keep in mind that it may affect the texture and taste of the sopaipillas.
Salt: Salt is used to enhance the flavor of the dough. You can use other types of salt such as sea salt or kosher salt.
Baking powder: Baking powder is used as a leavening agent combined with the yeast which helps the sopaipillas to puff up. You can opt to use just the yeast in this sopapilla recipe, just increase the amount to 14 grams (4 1/2 teaspoons).
Sugar: I used sugar to sweeten the dough. You can use other types of sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, or sugar substitute.
Instant yeast: I used instant dry yeast to make these sopaipillas fluffier. You can omit it from the recipe and just use baking powder, just make sure to increase the baking powder to 10 grams (2 teaspoons).
Warm water: Water is used to activate the yeast and bring the dough together. You can use other types of liquids such as milk or plant-based milk.
Butter: I love the flavor of butter and used it as my first choice for this dough. If you don’t have any on hand you can substitute it with shortening, or lard by swapping the same amount. I will add that sopapilla with lard is extra tasty so I do recommend it as a second choice.

Tips and Tricks For Making Perfect Sopapillas

Use a scale to measure ingredients for accurate measurements.
Use warm milk or water to activate the yeast and ensure a consistent rise in the dough. The temperature should be around 110-115F (43-46C).
Knead the dough for the appropriate amount of time of mixing. The dough should be elastic and smooth after kneading.
Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for at least 30 minutes, this will help the dough develop some added flavor and activate the yeast for fluffier sopapillas.
Roll the dough out to a thickness of about 1/4 inch, too thin will make it brittle, and too thick will make the sopapillas chewy.
Use vegetable oil with a high smoke point for frying, such as canola or peanut oil.
Heat the oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) before frying.
Fry the sopapillas for 1-2 minutes on each side or until they achieve a golden brown color.
Drain the sopapillas on paper towels to remove excess oil to avoid them being greasy.
Serve these traditional Sopapillas warm and enjoy them with your favorite toppings such as honey, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar.

Ingredients For Authentic Sopapilla

500 grams of all-purpose flour (4 cups)
7 grams of instant dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
5 grams of baking powder (1 teaspoon)
5 grams salt (1 teaspoon)
60 grams of butter, (4 tablespoons), softened
240 ml of warm milk or water (1 cup)
700 grams vegetable oil (3 cups), for frying

How To Make Authentic Sopapilla?

In a mixing bowl of a stand mixer with the hook attachment, combine the flour, yeast, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Mix for one minute on slow to evenly combine the dry ingredients.
Add in the softened butter and warm milk or water and mix the dough on slow speed for 5 minutes. Increase the speed and mix for additional 3 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover it with a towel. Allow it to rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness using a rolling pin, then cut it into desired shapes (usually triangles, squares, or circles).
Heat the oil in a deep-fryer or large, deep pan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Fry the dough pieces for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
Remove from the oil and place on paper towels to drain.
Serve warm and enjoy with honey, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make sopapillas without yeast?

Absolutely, you can make sopapillas without yeast by omitting the yeast and increasing the baking powder to 10 grams or 2 teaspoons. The sopapillas will have a biscuit-type texture.

Is it necessary to let the dough rise before frying?

It is not necessary to let the sopapilla dough rise before frying it. I added this step to help the sopapillas develop a tender and fluffy texture. If you are tight on time, you can roll and cut the dough immediately after kneading and then fry them.

Can I make sopapillas in an air fryer?

You can easily cook these sopapillas in an air fryer by preheating the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and brushing the top and bottom of the sopapillas with a little oil before cooking for about 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up. Air fryer sopapilla is convenient and a great way to cut energy costs in the kitchen.

How can I bake this sopapilla?

To bake the sopapillas preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), brush the top with some melted butter or oil, and bake them for about 12-15 minutes, or until the sopaipillas are golden brown and puffed up. I do recommend letting them proof for 30 minutes prior to baking them.

Can I use a bread machine to make the sopapilla dough?

Yes, you can make these sopapillas in a bread machine by adding the ingredients in the order recommended by the bread machine manufacturer, and setting it to the dough cycle. It’s a very convenient way to make sopapilla dough if you don’t have a stand mixer and have to knead by hand.

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