If you’re craving a delightful, crispy treat that brings a little bit of festive flair and cozy sweetness to your day, look no further than this Simple Homemade Sopapillas with Cinnamon Sugar and Honey Recipe. These golden, puffy pastries are fried to perfection and dusted generously with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar before being drizzled with honey, creating a perfect balance of crunch and gooey sweetness. What’s truly wonderful about this recipe is how effortlessly it transforms pantry staples into something extraordinary—each warm bite brings that wonderful contrast of airy inside and crisp outside, making it an irresistible dessert or snack to share with family and friends.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The first image shows two round dough balls resting side by side in a white bowl with a light flour dusting inside, placed on a white marbled surface with scattered flour around. The second image features the same white marbled surface where a light brown dough is rolled out flat in a rough oval shape. A wooden rolling pin with visible grain texture lies diagonally on top of the dough, its warm brown color contrasting with the pale dough and surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic of this Simple Homemade Sopapillas with Cinnamon Sugar and Honey Recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a handful of pantry essentials, you’ll create sopapillas that boast the perfect texture and flavor. Each ingredient plays an important role—from the all-purpose flour that forms a tender dough, to the warm water and oil that ensure crispiness in the frying process, and the cinnamon sugar that adds that nostalgic sweet-spice punch.

2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that gives your sopapillas their soft yet sturdy structure.
1 tbsp sugar: Just a touch to add subtle sweetness to the dough.
2 tsp baking powder: The secret to achieving those delightful puffy pockets once the dough fries.
½ tsp salt: Enhances the overall flavor by balancing the sweetness and rounding out the taste.
¾ cup warm water: Activates the dough, helping it come together smoothly and making it pliable for rolling.
2 tbsp avocado or vegetable oil: Adds tenderness to the dough while supporting a golden finish in frying.
Vegetable oil for frying: Enough to immerse the dough squares and create that signature sopapilla puff.
½ cup sugar (for cinnamon sugar): Provides the perfect level of sweetness when paired with cinnamon.
1 tbsp ground cinnamon: Infuses the sopapillas with warm, aromatic spice.
¼ cup powdered sugar (for topping): Adds a delicate sweetness and pretty dusting.
2 tbsp honey: A luscious drizzle that melts into the sopapillas for a heavenly finish.

How to Make Simple Homemade Sopapillas with Cinnamon Sugar and Honey Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Begin by combining the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Using a fork to mix keeps everything aerated and evenly distributed, which is key to achieving a light, tender dough.

Step 2: Form the Dough

Pour the oil into your warm water, then add this liquid mix to the dry ingredients. Using your hands, stir and knead gently until a sticky dough ball forms. The warmth of the water helps activate the baking powder, and the oil keeps the dough soft and rich.

Step 3: Knead and Rest the Dough

Lightly flour your surface and knead the dough for about 3–4 minutes until it becomes smooth. Divide the dough into two balls, cover with a clean towel, and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes—this rest time helps relax gluten, making the dough easier to roll out.

Step 4: Roll and Cut the Dough

Uncover one dough ball and roll it out on a floured surface into a thin rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Cut the dough into 2-inch squares or your preferred size, then let them rest a little longer while you prepare the frying oil.

Step 5: Heat the Oil and Fry

Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven and heat to 375℉. Carefully place a few sopapillas into the hot oil—they will sink briefly then puff up beautifully. Fry until golden on both sides, then transfer to a wire rack to drain. Repeat until all the dough pieces are cooked.

Step 6: Coat and Serve

While the sopapillas are warm, dip them in the cinnamon sugar blend for that classic flavor, or sprinkle with powdered sugar and drizzle honey on top for a sticky, sweet finish.

How to Serve Simple Homemade Sopapillas with Cinnamon Sugar and Honey Recipe

The image shows a white grid tray filled with two kinds of fried dough pillows, some dusted with white powdered sugar and others plain golden brown. On the right side of the tray, a small white bowl holds more of the golden brown pillows, and a woman's hand is dipping one pillow into a clear jar of amber honey with a wooden honey dipper resting on the jar. The background is a white marbled surface. The image captures the contrast between the white powdered sugar and the warm golden color of the fried pillows, highlighting their texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For an irresistible presentation, dust your sopapillas generously with cinnamon sugar, or try powdered sugar with a drizzle of honey for that lush sweetness. You can also add a sprinkle of chopped nuts or a few fresh berries if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

Sopapillas pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, turning this humble fried dough into a decadent dessert experience. They also work beautifully alongside spicy dishes, offering a sweet respite between bites.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving your sopapillas stacked high on a pretty platter with small bowls of honey and cinnamon sugar for dipping. Alternatively, sandwich some sweetened cream cheese or fruit preserves between two sopapillas for a delightful twist that’s sure to impress your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover sopapillas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep them from getting soggy, place a paper towel in the container to absorb moisture.

Freezing

You can freeze unfried dough squares by laying them flat on a baking sheet, freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer bag for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, fry directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to frying time.

Reheating

To bring your sopapillas back to life, reheat them in a hot oven for about 5 minutes or in a toaster oven until crisp again. Avoid microwaving as this tends to soften them too much.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of flour for this recipe?

All-purpose flour works best to give your sopapillas the classic light and airy texture, but you can experiment with half whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor, though the texture may be a bit denser.

What oil is best for frying sopapillas?

Vegetable oil, avocado oil, or canola oil are great options because they have high smoke points and neutral flavors that won’t overpower the sopapillas.

Why aren’t my sopapillas puffing up when frying?

This usually means the oil isn’t hot enough. Make sure your oil is at 375℉ before frying, and avoid overcrowding the pan, which drops the temperature quickly.

Can I make sopapillas gluten-free?

While traditional sopapillas rely on gluten for puff and texture, you can try gluten-free flour blends, but results may vary. Adding xanthan gum can help mimic gluten’s elasticity.

How long do sopapillas stay fresh?

Enjoy sopapillas best within a day or two when stored properly. They tend to lose their crispness over time but can be refreshed with reheating.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend enough giving this Simple Homemade Sopapillas with Cinnamon Sugar and Honey Recipe a try—there’s something truly special about crafting these light, fluffy pastries at home with just simple ingredients. Whether you’re sharing with loved ones or indulging in a cozy solo treat, these sopapillas bring warmth and sweetness in every bite. Grab your rolling pin and frying pan, and let the delicious adventure begin!

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