Air-Fried Sopapillas: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican dessert that is typically deep-fried and served with honey or cinnamon sugar. However, you can also make a healthier version of this sweet treat in an air fryer. Air-fried sopapillas are easy to make, only taking a few ingredients and a few minutes of cook time. They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and the cinnamon sugar topping adds the perfect amount of sweetness.

Air fryer sopapillas recipe

Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican dessert that is typically deep-fried and served with honey or cinnamon sugar. However, you can also make a healthier version of this sweet treat in an air fryer. This recipe will guide you through the process of preparing delicious air fryer sopapillas that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/3 cup Water, warm
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 cup Sugar Or Other Sweetener Equivalent
• 1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
• Melted Butter

Instructions:

• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the melted butter and warm water until a dough forms.
• Knead the dough for about 2 minutes, then cover and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350-375 degrees F.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
• Use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut the dough into circles.
• Place the sopapillas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Remove the sopapillas from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
• In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon to create the cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Brush the sopapillas with butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips:

• If you want a chocolatey treat, drizzle the sopapillas with melted chocolate instead of honey.
• For a savoury option, use an unseasoned sopapilla as a fluffy bread alongside Mexican Pulled Pork.
• You can also make sopapilla cheesecake bars by spreading some Keto Cream Cheese Frosting on top after air frying.

Cinnamon sugar and honey toppings

When making sopapillas in an air fryer, it is recommended to brush the pastries with butter before sprinkling them with the cinnamon sugar mixture. This adds a rich, buttery flavour to the sopapillas and helps the cinnamon sugar adhere to the pastry. Additionally, the butter can enhance the crispiness of the sopapillas.

For a creative twist, you can also drizzle melted chocolate over the sopapillas instead of honey. This variation is similar to a churro, a traditional Spanish and Latin American dessert.

Sopapillas are incredibly versatile and can be customised to your taste preferences. You can experiment with different types of honey, such as wildflower, clover, or orange blossom, to find your favourite variety. You can also adjust the amount of cinnamon and sugar to suit your desired level of sweetness.

When serving sopapillas, you can provide a variety of toppings and dips to allow your guests to customise their treats. Some popular choices include chocolate sauce, whipped cream, Nutella, and ice cream. Sopapillas can be enjoyed as a dessert, a snack, or even as part of a meal. They are a delightful treat that can be tailored to satisfy any craving!

Reheating and storing sopapillas

Reheating sopapillas can be tricky, as they can easily become too dry or oily, but it is possible to reheat them to perfection. The best methods for reheating sopapillas are the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer methods.

Oven Method:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the leftover sopapillas on the prepared baking sheet. If your sopapillas are cut into pieces, brush each piece lightly with melted butter for extra crispness. Cover the whole sopapillas with foil to prevent them from drying out. Bake for about 5 minutes for whole sopapillas or 7-10 minutes for cut-up pieces, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.

Toaster Oven Method:

Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover sopapilla(s) on a baking sheet or directly on the toaster oven rack. Allow them to reheat for about 5 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and warm.

Air Fryer Method:

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover sopapillas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy.

Storing Sopapillas:

If you have leftover sopapillas, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 1 month. To freeze, wrap the sopapillas tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.

Reheating sopapillas in the air fryer is a great way to enjoy them crispy again, and it's also a quick and easy method for enjoying leftovers or making them in advance.

Sopapillas vs churros

Sopapillas and churros are both Mexican desserts, but they have distinct differences. Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex dessert, typically deep-fried and served with honey or cinnamon sugar. They are made from a light and fluffy dough and are usually served warm. On the other hand, churros are a traditional Spanish and Latin American dessert made from a denser dough that is also deep-fried. Churros are often shaped into long, thin strips, while sopapillas are typically smaller and puffier.

Sopapillas are a type of fried pastry or quick bread served in several regions with Spanish heritage in the Americas. The word "sopapilla" comes from the Mozarabic word "xopaipa", which means bread soaked in oil. The dough is traditionally made from leavened wheat dough or a mixture of wheat flour and masa harina, with some shortening such as butter added. The dough is then rolled into sheets, cut into shapes, and deep-fried, causing them to puff up. Sopapillas can be served as a sweet or savoury dish. Sweet sopapillas are typically topped with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with honey, while savoury sopapillas may be filled with ground meat and cheese.

Churros, on the other hand, are made from a denser dough that is also deep-fried. They are typically served warm and dusted with cinnamon sugar or served with a chocolate dipping sauce. Churros are often shaped into long, thin strips, while sopapillas are usually smaller and puffier. Churros are made by squeezing the dough through a pastry bag into hot oil, creating long ribbons of dough that are then fried until golden brown.

In terms of taste and texture, sopapillas are light and fluffy, while churros are denser and chewier. Sopapillas are also more versatile, as they can be served as a sweet or savoury dish, while churros are typically only served as a sweet dessert.

Cinnamon sugar coating

Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican dessert that is typically deep-fried and served with a cinnamon sugar coating and a drizzle of honey. However, they can also be made in an air fryer for a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version.

The cinnamon sugar coating is a crucial step in the preparation of sopapillas, adding a generous amount of sweetness and spice to the fried dough. Here is a detailed guide on how to make the cinnamon sugar coating:

Ingredients:

• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is the key spice used in the coating. It provides a warm, sweet, and aromatic flavour that pairs perfectly with the fried dough.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar is typically used to create a delicate sweet crunch when sprinkled on the sopapillas. You can use regular table sugar or a substitute such as a monk fruit sweetener for a healthier option.
• Butter: Brushing the sopapillas with melted butter before sprinkling the cinnamon sugar helps the coating adhere to the dough and adds a rich, creamy dimension to the overall taste.

Preparation:

• Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl: Mix equal parts ground cinnamon and granulated sugar in a small bowl, ensuring they are well combined. You can adjust the ratio to your taste preferences, adding more cinnamon for a spicier kick or more sugar for extra sweetness.
• Brush the sopapillas with butter: Once the sopapillas are cooked and still warm, use a pastry brush to lightly coat each one with melted butter. This step ensures the cinnamon sugar coating will stick to the dough.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture: After brushing with butter, take each sopapilla and generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over it. You can also place the sopapillas in a large bowl and sprinkle the mixture over them, tossing gently to evenly coat each piece.
• Serve immediately: Sopapillas are best served fresh and warm, as the cinnamon sugar coating adds a delightful crunch to the fluffy dough.

The cinnamon sugar coating is a simple yet essential component of the sopapilla dessert. It transforms the fried dough into a sweet and indulgent treat. You can also experiment with adding other spices to the cinnamon sugar mixture, such as a pinch of ground nutmeg or cloves, for a more complex flavour profile. Enjoy your homemade air-fried sopapillas!

Frequently asked questions