Air-Fried Sopapillas: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Sopapillas are a popular Mexican dessert that is traditionally 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 just as delicious, with a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior, and they're ready in under 30 minutes. This cooking method also reduces the fat and calories that come with traditional deep-frying. To make sopapillas in an air fryer, you'll prepare the dough, toss it in the fryer, and then cover it with cinnamon sugar and honey.

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 make a healthier version of this sweet treat in an air fryer. This recipe will guide you through the process of making 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 cup Sugar Or Other Sweetener Equivalent
• 1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
• Melted Butter
• Olive Oil Spray
• Honey (optional)

Instructions:

Start by combining the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. 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.

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. You can also cut the dough into rectangles or any other desired shape.

Lightly coat the inside of your air fryer basket and both sides of the dough with olive oil spray. Place the dough in the basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Set the air fryer to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Once done, remove the sopapillas from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon to make the topping. Brush the sopapillas with butter and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top. You can also drizzle them with honey for extra sweetness.

Your air fryer sopapillas are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as a delicious dessert or a sweet breakfast treat. They are best enjoyed fresh, but you can also make them ahead of time and warm them up before serving.

Tips for Puffing Up:

If your sopapillas are not puffing up as much as you'd like, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Ensure you are using enough baking powder or yeast as these ingredients create puffiness.
• The dough should be moist enough. Add more liquid (milk, water, etc.) if it seems too dry.
• Roll the dough as thin as possible before air frying, as this will allow it to puff up more.

Sopapillas dough

Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican dessert, typically deep-fried and served with honey or cinnamon sugar. They are made from a simple dough that can be prepared in a few easy steps.

Firstly, combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. This includes all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. You can also add a tablespoon of granulated sugar to the dry mixture for a touch of sweetness.

Next, add your liquid ingredients. For a more traditional sopapilla, use warm water to form the dough. However, for a richer, softer dough, you can substitute milk for the water. You will need around 3/4 cup of liquid to bring the dough together.

Once you have added the liquid, use your hands or a spoon to mix the dough until it forms a sticky mass. Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for about 20 minutes.

After the dough has rested, you can roll it out. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin, and roll the dough out to a thin, even layer. The recommended thickness varies from 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch.

Finally, cut the dough into your desired shape. Circles or squares are typical, but you can also cut the dough into triangles or rectangles.

Now your sopapilla dough is ready to be cooked! You can fry the pieces in oil, bake them, or even try cooking them in an air fryer for a healthier alternative.

Cinnamon sugar topping

To make the cinnamon sugar topping, simply combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. You can adjust the ratio of sugar to cinnamon according to your taste preferences. Brush the sopapillas with butter and then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top. For an extra indulgent touch, drizzle with honey.

The cinnamon sugar topping can be used for both sweet and savoury sopapillas. For a savoury twist, fill the sopapillas with ground meat and cheese before deep-frying, and serve with salsa and sour cream. For a sweet treat, the classic choice is to top the pastry with cinnamon sugar and honey. Alternatively, you can drizzle with melted chocolate for a churro-like bite or serve with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.

Reheating sopapillas in the air fryer

Reheating sopapillas in an air fryer is a simple process that will make them taste as good as new. Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican dessert, typically deep-fried and served with honey or cinnamon sugar. They are light and fluffy, and can be made in an air fryer as a healthier alternative to the traditional method.

To reheat sopapillas in the air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the sopapillas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the sopapillas and the power of your air fryer, so it is important to keep an eye on them. Once cooked, remove the sopapillas from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving.

If you want to add a little extra sweetness, you can brush the reheated sopapillas with butter and sprinkle them with a cinnamon sugar mixture before serving. This will give them a freshly made taste and texture.

Sopapillas vs beignets

Both sopapillas and beignets are fried dough pastries, but they have distinct differences. Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican dessert, typically deep-fried and served with honey or cinnamon sugar. They are made from a light and fluffy dough, usually with a leavening agent such as baking powder, and are often cut into squares or rounds. On the other hand, beignets are made from yeast dough, resulting in a softer and doughier texture, similar to traditional American doughnuts. Beignets are typically dusted with powdered sugar and are associated with French Mardi Gras and New Orleans.

The process of making sopapillas in an air fryer yields a healthier version of this Mexican treat. The preparation is simple and quick, requiring only a handful of ingredients such as flour, baking powder, salt, oil, and water. The dough is rolled out thinly, cut into pieces, and placed in the air fryer basket. Within minutes, they turn golden brown, becoming crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Sopapillas can be served as a sweet breakfast or dessert, often enhanced with a dusting of cinnamon sugar and a drizzle of honey.

While sopapillas and beignets share some similarities, their differences lie in the type of dough used and their cultural origins. Sopapillas, with their flaky texture, are a staple in Hispanic culture, while beignets, with their doughy consistency, are rooted in French and New Orleans traditions. Both pastries offer a delightful sweet treat, appealing to a variety of taste preferences and cultural backgrounds.

Additionally, both sopapillas and beignets can be enjoyed in savoury variations. Fillings such as ground beef, avocado, mustard, ketchup, and garlic add a savoury twist to these traditionally sweet pastries. Local restaurants showcase their creative takes on savoury beignets, such as crab beignets, offering unique flavour profiles that extend beyond the classic sweet versions.

Frequently asked questions