Marianne Martinez
Sopes are a traditional Mexican dish that can be made at home using an air fryer. They are made from masa elote (corn dough) and are usually deep-fried, but using an air fryer is a healthier alternative that is less greasy and fatty. Sopes can be topped with a variety of ingredients, such as refried beans, beef, chicken, cheese, lettuce, salsa, and guacamole, and are typically served warm. They are a versatile and easy-to-make dish that can be a great choice for a weeknight dinner or a special treat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Masa elote (corn dough), corn flour, salt, water |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 375°F (190°C) or 400°F |
| Air Fryer Time | 3-5 minutes or 10-12 minutes |
| Toppings | Refried beans, beef, chicken, pork, cheese, lettuce, avocado, salsa, queso fresco, Mexican crema, sour cream, guacamole, avocado crema, onions, tomatoes, ground turkey, rice, potatoes, chorizo |
| Dough Preparation | Mix corn masa, salt, and water in a bowl. The dough should have a soft play dough texture and not be sticky. Divide the dough into eight pieces and cover with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. |
| Sopes Formation | Use your thumb and index finger to form the sope. Pinch the edges of the thick tortilla to create a raised border or rim. The center should be slightly thicker than the edges. |
| Oil | Use an oil with a high smoking point (around 450°F/232°C) and a neutral flavor. |
| Reheating | Microwave, stove, oven, or air fryer |
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What You'll Learn
Making the dough
Sopes are a traditional Mexican dish made from masa elote (corn dough) that is usually deep-fried. However, using an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep frying as it reduces the amount of grease and fat in the dish.
To make the dough for sopes, you will need corn flour, also known as masa harina, and water. Corn flour is essential for making sopes because it provides structure and texture to the dough. When shopping for masa harina, look for one that is labelled as "instant" or "nixtamalized". The dried maize corn used for it has been through a process called nixtamalization, where it is soaked in lime water. This softens the kernels and releases pectin while changing the taste, look, and nutrition of the corn.
In a large mixing bowl, combine corn masa, a pinch of salt, and water. Add the water in small increments and mix with your hands. The dough should have a soft play-dough texture and should not be sticky. If you are not planning to use the dough immediately, put it in a well-sealed plastic bag with the air pressed out to keep it moist. You can also divide the dough into eight pieces and cover it with a piece of plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. It is important to keep the dough covered at all times to prevent it from drying out.
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Forming the sopes
Sopes are a traditional Mexican dish made from masa elote (corn dough), which is then deep-fried. Sopes are made with masa (corn flour) and are usually about 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside.
To form the sopes, start by mixing together the masa elote and water in a bowl. The dough should have a soft play dough texture and not be sticky. If you make the dough ahead of time, make sure to put it in a well-sealed plastic bag with the air pressed out to keep it moist. Divide the dough into eight pieces and cover with a piece of plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel.
Next, form the mixture into small patties. The patties should be thicker than most tortillas and have a raised edge or rim to prevent the toppings from falling off. You can create this edge by pinching the edges of the thick tortilla with your thumb and index finger. The centre should remain slightly thicker than the edges.
Finally, brush the sopes with oil and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown.
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Air-frying the sopes
Air-frying sopes is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, and it's super easy! Sopes are a traditional Mexican dish made from masa elote (corn dough) or thick corn tortillas, which are then deep-fried. However, you can skip the deep-frying and use an air fryer to get crispy and delicious sopes without the excess grease and fat.
Here's a step-by-step guide to air-frying sopes:
- Start by mixing corn masa, salt, and water in a large bowl. Add water gradually while mixing with your hands until you achieve a soft, play dough texture that is not sticky.
- Divide the dough into eight pieces and cover with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel to keep it moist.
- Form the dough into small patties or thick tortillas. Use your thumb and index finger to pinch the edges of the tortilla to create a raised border or rim, ensuring the centre is slightly thicker than the edges.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Brush the sopes with oil and place them on an air fryer tray.
- Air fry the sopes for 3-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and firm to the touch.
- Once cooked, remove the sopes from the air fryer and set them on a plate or wire rack to cool.
- Assemble your favourite toppings. Traditional toppings include refried beans, shredded meat (such as chicken or beef), lettuce, cheese, salsa, guacamole, avocado, and Mexican crema.
- Sopes are best served fresh and hot, so assemble and enjoy your creation immediately!
You can also make the sopes shells in advance and store them in an airtight container. When you're ready to serve, simply reheat the shells in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-5 minutes, and then add your desired toppings. Enjoy!
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Choosing toppings
Sopes are a traditional Mexican dish that has a base of fried masa with savoury toppings. The toppings can be anything you like, but here are some suggestions:
Proteins
When it comes to protein, you can top your sopes with shredded chicken, ground beef or turkey, or chorizo. If you're vegetarian, you could try fried beans or black beans.
Vegetables
Lettuce is a popular choice, especially darker varieties. You could also try avocado, cherry tomatoes, or pickled onions.
Dairy
Queso fresco, Mexican crema, sour cream, and cheese are all great options to add a creamy texture to your sopes.
Sauces
Guacamole, salsa, and avocado crema are all delicious and traditional toppings.
Sides
Sopes are often served with a salted lime wedge or a side of refried beans. You could also make Mexican-style rice and beans for a more substantial meal.
Remember, the sky's the limit when it comes to choosing toppings for your sopes! Get creative and experiment with different combinations of ingredients to find your favourite.
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Reheating and storing
Sopes are best served fresh and hot, but you can also make them in advance and store them for later. If you want to make the sopes shells ahead of time, fry them and let them cool before storing them in an airtight container. To freeze the shells, spread them out on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for about an hour. Then, transfer them to a container. This will prevent them from freezing together in one lump.
When you're ready to eat, you can let the cooked sopes come to room temperature, or reheat them in an air fryer. The Instant Vortex Plus 10 Quart 7-in-1 Multi-Use Air Fryer is a good option for reheating, as it has a preset Smart Program for reheating. You can also use an oven to reheat your sopes. Place them on a baking tray, brush them with oil, and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until they are firm and golden brown.
If you have leftover sopes that have already been assembled with toppings, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer or oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until they are heated through.
For unassembled sopes, you can store the cooked shells and toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to eat, reheat the shells and add your desired toppings.
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Frequently asked questions
Sopes are a traditional Mexican dish made from masa elote (corn dough), which is then deep-fried. They are usually about 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside.
First, mix masa harina (corn flour) and water in a bowl. Form the mixture into small patties. Then, heat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the sopes with cooking spray, and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown.
You can add a variety of toppings to your sopes, such as refried beans, shredded meat (chicken, ground beef, or turkey), lettuce, cheese, salsa, Mexican crema, avocado, and more.
Using an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep frying as it reduces the amount of grease and fat in your food. It is also easier to clean up afterward.
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