Sopapillas are basically a Mexican version of fried dough that’s finished with honey or cinnamon sugar (or both)! I decided to ditch the deep fryer and make air fryer sopapillas instead, which have all the flavor with way less oil. They’re the perfect dessert option for Cinco do Mayo!
These air fryer sopapillas are so easy to make! With a dough made from mostly pantry staples and any toppings you want, you can’t go wrong.
They cook up in under 10 minutes to warm, crispy perfection that’s just ready for the sweet toppings to make this dessert treat.
Now, are they exactly the same as deep fried? No. They don’t puff up quite as much and don’t get as deeply brown. But they’re still delicious, very similar, and have far less oil, so I don’t mind at all. That’s not even mentioning the difference in cleanup time!
Looking for something a little different? Try my Air Fryer Sopapilla Cheesecake which features the same cinnamon sugar exterior with a creamy cheesecake interior in bar form!
Ingredients List
2 cups all purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 Tbsp shortening
½ cup warm water
Toppings:
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp butter, melted
Drizzle of honey
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
If you want to make sopapillas without shortening, you can sub in 2 Tbsp melted butter instead. Note that it does make for a slightly denser dough, though
You can also use powdered sugar for the topping instead of traditional granulated sugar
Tortilla variation: to make sopapillas with tortillas instead of dough, just cut a medium sized flour tortilla into quarters. Brush with melted butter and air fry for 5-6 minutes at 375°F
Step By Step Instructions
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, and mix to evenly distribute
Add in the shortening and warm water, and stir until dough forms. Note: you can also use a stand mixer and a dough hook if you have one for this
Cover the dough bowl and let it rest for 20 minutes
Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces, then roll each piece out using a rolling pin (or similar) until it’s about ⅛” thick. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F while you’re doing this
Cut each flattened dough piece into 4 relatively equal pieces (squares or rectangles are traditional, but you can do whatever you like), and then place them into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if needed. If you want to spray a little oil on them to aid in browning, feel free
Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F for 4 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until the sopapillas are puffed and brown at the edges. Note that different air fryers and different size sopapillas will vary slightly, so adjust as needed
While they’re still hot, brush the sopapillas with melted butter and then sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, and drizzle with honey if desired
Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican dessert made from fried dough, typically served sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, and drizzled with honey or syrup.
Air frying is another popular preparation method, which uses less oil than deep frying. However, the dough does not get as puffy with this option.
How Do I Make Sopapillas in the Air Fryer?
To make air fryer sopapillas, start by preparing a simple dough using flour, baking powder, salt, shortening, and water.
Then, roll out the dough, cut it into squares or triangles, and air fry until golden brown and puffy. Serve warm with your choice of toppings.
Can I Use Puff Pastry for Air Fryer Sopapillas?
Yes. If you want to forgo making the traditional dough for sopapillas, you can use puff pastry or flour tortillas as a shortcut.
Simply cut the puff pastry or tortillas into squares, air fry until golden and puffy (usually a few minutes less than the regular dough), and serve with your favorite toppings.
What Toppings Can I Serve with Air Fryer Sopapillas?
Air fryer sopapillas can be served with a variety of toppings, including powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, honey, maple syrup, chocolate sauce, or fruit preserves.
You could even top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an a la mode option.
Can I Make Sopapillas Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough for sopapillas ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Alternatively, you can freeze the uncooked dough or pre-cooked sopapillas and air fry them when needed for a quick and convenient dessert. Add around 2 minutes of cooking time from frozen to account for the colder temperature.
How Do I Store Leftover Sopapillas?
If you have leftover air fryer sopapillas, allow them to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer term storage, wrap well and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes until warm and crispy before serving.
Can I Make Savory Sopapillas in the Air Fryer?
While sopapillas are traditionally sweet, you can experiment with savory variations by adding herbs, spices, or cheese to the dough. You can also stuff the dough with pre-cooked filling such as taco meat. Make sure to roll thin for best results.
Serve savory sopapillas as a side dish or appetizer with salsa, guacamole, or other dips.
Are Air Fryer Sopapillas Healthier Than Deep-Fried Sopapillas?
Air fryer sopapillas are typically healthier than deep-fried sopapillas because they require less oil for cooking.
However, they may still be high in calories and carbohydrates due to the dough and toppings used. Enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
How Do You Reheat Sopapillas in an Air Fryer?
Reheat sopapillas in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, until warmed and re-crisped. This works for both homemade and leftovers from a restaurant.
For frozen sopapillas, add around 2 extra minutes to account for the colder starting temperature.
What’s the Difference Between Beignets and Sopapillas?
Beignets and sopapillas share some similarities, but the main difference is that beignets are a yeasted dough, while sopapillas are more similar to, though slightly less dense than, a biscuit.
Both are traditionally cut into squares, fried, and topped with sugar for serving.
Recipe Pro Tips
It is important to preheat your air fryer for this particular recipe. Just like dropping sopapillas in oil that’s not properly up to temp for deep frying, starting with a cold air fryer can cause your dough to not puff
Don’t be afraid to get messy! There’s only so much a spoon or spatula can do – mix the dough with your hands to bring it together
Make sure to roll the dough out nice and thin. If your dough is too thick, your sopapillas also will not puff correctly. This is why I like cutting the dough into smaller portions to work with, to really roll it out well
Storage and Reheating Tips
To store leftover sopapillas, cool and then transfer to an airtight container or zippered bag. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer term storage, wrap and freeze for up to 1 month
Reheat sopapillas in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, until warm and the exterior is re-crisped. Add 2 minutes if reheating from frozen
These air fryer sopapillas are a nice alternative to deep fried, using less oil and of course involving less cleanup afterwards!
They’re not quite the same, as I find them less oily, slightly less puffy (but still not bad), and a little less brown overall. However, they’re still an airy treat that’s perfectly complimented by cinnamon, sugar, and/or honey if you’d like.
I make them for a sweet treat around Cinco de Mayo, but you can enjoy them anytime of year you’d like. Sopapillas are made with mostly pantry ingredients, so it’s one of those things I can always reach for when I’m out of ideas!
Air Fryer Sopapillas Recipe
These air fryer sopapillas are a great alternative to deep fried. While not exactly the same, they’re a great dessert option with far less oil, so you can feel better about indulging!
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, and mix to evenly distribute
2 cups all purpose flour, 1 ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt
Add in the shortening and warm water, and mix until dough forms. Note: you can also use a stand mixer and a dough hook if you have one for this
2 Tbsp shortening, ½ cup warm water
Cover the dough bowl and let it rest for 20 minutes
Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces, then roll each piece out using a rolling pin (or similar) until it’s about ⅛” thick. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F while you’re doing this
Cut each flattened dough piece into 4 relatively equal pieces (squares or rectangles are traditional, but you can do whatever you like), and then place them into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if needed. If you want to spray a little oil on them to aid in browning, feel free
Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F for 4 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until the sopapillas are puffed and brown at the edges. Note that different air fryers and different size sopapillas will vary slightly, so adjust as needed
While they’re still hot, brush the sopapillas with melted butter and then sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, and drizzle with honey if desired
It is important to preheat your air fryer for this recipe. Just like dropping sopapillas in oil that’s not properly up to temp for deep frying, starting with a cold air fryer can cause your dough to not puff
Don’t be afraid to get messy! There’s only so much a spoon or spatula can do – mix the dough with your hands to bring it together
Make sure to roll the dough out nice and thin. If your dough is too thick, your sopapillas also will not puff correctly. This is why I like cutting the dough into smaller portions to work with, to really roll it out well
If you want to make sopapillas without shortening, you can sub in 2 Tbsp melted butter instead. Note that it does make for a slightly denser dough, though
You can also use powdered sugar for the topping instead of granulated sugar
Tortilla variation: to make sopapillas with tortillas instead of dough, just cut a medium sized flour tortilla into quarters. Brush with melted butter and air fry for 5-6 minutes at 375°F
To store leftover sopapillas, cool and then transfer to an airtight container or zippered bag. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer term storage, wrap and freeze for up to 1 month
Reheat sopapillas in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, until warm and the exterior is re-crisped. Add 2 minutes if reheating from frozen
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any sauces or toppings added, size of pieces, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
