Poncho's Mexican Buffet Style Sopapillas - Crispy Fried Pastry
These authentic-style sopapillas recreate the beloved fluffy, crispy pastries from Poncho's Mexican Buffet. The tender dough puffs into golden pillows when fried, creating hollow centers perfect for drizzling with honey or sprinkling with cinnamon sugar. The secret lies in letting the dough rest before rolling, which develops the gluten for optimal puffing. These warm, airy treats are perfect for dessert or as a sweet ending to Mexican meals, offering that nostalgic restaurant experience at home.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, siftedbread flour1:1texture
creates chewier texture
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons shortening
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- vegetable oil, for frying
- cinnamon, for sprinkling(optional)
- sugar, for sprinkling(optional)
- honey, for serving(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Sift flour, measure, then sift again with salt, baking powder, and sugar
- 2
Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
- 3
Add milk gradually to form a soft dough just firm enough to roll
- 4
Cover bowl and let dough rest for 30 to 60 minutes
- 5
Roll dough on lightly floured surface until 1/4 inch thick
- 6
Cut into diamond-shaped pieces
- 7
Heat oil in frying pan to 375 degrees with about 1 inch depth
- 8
Fry a few pieces at a time to avoid cooling oil
- 9
Turn immediately so they puff evenly, then turn back to brown both sides
- 10
Drain on paper towels
- 11
Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar if desired and serve with honey
Tips
Let the dough rest for the full 60 minutes if possible - this helps develop gluten for better puffing and makes rolling easier.
Maintain oil temperature at 375°F by frying only a few pieces at a time to prevent cooling the oil too quickly.
Turn sopapillas immediately when they hit the oil so they puff evenly on both sides and create hollow centers.
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in 350°F oven for 2-3 minutes to recrisp.
Dough can be made up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before rolling.
Serve immediately while warm and crispy. Provide honey and cinnamon sugar for drizzling and sprinkling.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip the dough resting time or sopapillas won't puff properly
Avoid overcrowding the oil to maintain proper frying temperature
Turn pieces immediately when added to oil to ensure even puffing
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I make these without shortening?
Yes, substitute butter for shortening in equal amounts. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
What if my sopapillas don't puff up?
Oil temperature is likely too low or the dough wasn't rested long enough. Ensure oil is 375°F and dough rested 30-60 minutes.
How long do these keep fresh?
Best eaten fresh and warm. Store covered for up to 2 days and reheat in oven to recrisp before serving.