Air-Fried Sopapillas: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican dessert that can be made healthier by cooking them in an air fryer. They are made of pastry dough that puffs up when fried and are usually topped with cinnamon sugar and honey. Air-fried sopapillas are a tasty and healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version. They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and the cinnamon sugar topping adds the perfect amount of sweetness. This dessert can be made in under 30 minutes and is a great way to indulge without the extra fat and calories.

Air fryer sopapillas are healthier than deep-fried sopapillas

Air fryer sopapillas are a healthier alternative to deep-fried sopapillas. Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican dessert, typically deep-fried and served with honey or cinnamon sugar. However, cooking them in an air fryer gives you a healthier option without compromising on taste.

The traditional method of deep-frying sopapillas adds extra fat and calories. Air-fried sopapillas, on the other hand, are made with a handful of simple ingredients and require only a few minutes of cooking time. The result is a dessert that is crispy on the outside, fluffy and warm on the inside, and well under 200 calories per serving.

To make sopapillas in an air fryer, you start by preparing the dough. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and baking powder. Then, add shortening or oil, and slowly add hot water to form a dough. After kneading the dough for a few minutes, let it rest for about 20 minutes. Next, roll out the dough, cut it into pieces, and lightly coat with non-stick cooking spray. Place the sopapillas in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them, and cook for 5-8 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.

Finally, for that classic sopapilla taste, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and drizzle with honey. You can also fill them with a sweet berry jam or pipe in a filling made from a mixture of sweetener, cornstarch, and cinnamon. With the air fryer, you get to enjoy the traditional tastes and textures of sopapillas while indulging in a healthier treat.

How to make the sopapilla dough

Sopapillas are a type of dough that puffs up when fried and has a hollow centre. They are a quick bread served in several regions with Hispanic heritage. They can be served as a sweet treat or a savoury dish.

To make the sopapilla dough, you will need the following ingredients:

• Flour
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Sugar (optional)
• Shortening or oil
• Hot water

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and baking powder. If you are making a sweet sopapilla, you can add sugar to the mixture at this stage. Next, add the shortening or oil and use your hands or your fingers to work it into the flour mixture until it forms a rough texture with pea-sized crumbles.

Now, slowly add the hot water to the mixture and work it with your fingers until a dough is formed. If the dough feels dry, you can add a little more water, one tablespoon at a time. On a table or countertop, knead the dough for about 4-8 minutes until it is smooth and slightly elastic. Form the dough into a ball and place it back in the bowl. Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 20 minutes to an hour at room temperature. This will help the gluten develop and make it easier to roll out the dough later.

Once the dough has rested, remove it from the bowl and knead it a few more times. Then, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough into squares, about 3-4 inches in size. If you want to stuff your sopapillas, you may want to make the squares bigger, about 4-5 inches.

Your sopapilla dough is now ready to be fried!

How to roll out and cut the sopapilla dough

After preparing the dough, cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen napkin and let it rest for at least 20 minutes. This resting time helps the gluten to develop, making it easier to roll out the dough and form the sopapillas. After the resting time, slightly knead the dough again and then form it back into a ball.

Now, you can begin to roll out the dough. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking. Flatten the ball a little bit, then cut it into 2 or 4 pieces using a knife or a pastry cutter. Roll out each dough piece into a rectangle or circle about 6 inches in diameter and 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. The shape and thickness of the dough will determine the final shape and texture of your sopapillas.

Next, cut the rolled-out dough into your desired shape and size. For rectangles, cut each circle into 4 equal pieces. For triangles, cut the circle into 4 or more pieces, depending on your desired size. You can also cut the dough into 3-inch squares. Remember, the measurements don't have to be exact, and you can eyeball this step.

Once cut, your sopapilla dough is now ready for the air fryer! Lightly coat both sides of the dough pieces with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray before placing them in the air fryer basket.

How to cook the sopapillas in the air fryer

Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican dessert that can be made healthier by cooking them in an air fryer instead of deep-frying them. They are typically served with honey or cinnamon sugar. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook sopapillas in an air fryer:

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 C. Flour
• 1 Tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/2 Tsp. Salt
• 1/2 C. Hot Water
• 1 Tbsp. Canola or Vegetable Oil
• Olive oil spray or melted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Cinnamon
• Honey

Method

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the hot water and oil.
• Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
• Knead the dough for 4-5 minutes until it is smooth.
• Form the dough into a ball and let it rest for at least 20 minutes.
• After the dough has rested, knead it a few more times and then divide it into four pieces.
• Roll each piece of dough into a ball and then flatten it to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
• Cut each flattened dough piece into four equal pieces.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F.
• Lightly coat the dough pieces and the air fryer basket with olive oil spray or melted butter.
• Place the dough pieces in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them.
• Cook for 3-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the sopapillas are golden brown and crispy.
• Remove the sopapillas from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
• In a small bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon.
• Brush the sopapillas with melted butter and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
• Drizzle with honey and serve immediately.

How to reheat sopapillas in the air fryer

Reheating sopapillas in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy leftovers or make them in advance without the added oil and fat of traditional frying methods. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat sopapillas in an air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to a temperature between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your sopapillas, but this range should ensure they heat through without burning.
• Prepare the sopapillas: Place the sopapillas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to reheat in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Reheat: Cook the sopapillas for approximately 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as the exact time will depend on the thickness of the sopapillas and the power of your air fryer. You want to ensure they are heated through and crispy.
• Optional: For an extra touch of flavour, brush the reheated sopapillas with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before serving. This will give them a fresh-out-of-the-fryer taste.
• Serve: Allow the sopapillas to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the warm, crispy treat!

Remember, sopapillas are best enjoyed warm and crispy. Reheating them in an air fryer is a convenient way to recapture that freshly fried taste and texture.

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