Sopapillas are a classic Mexican fried-dough dessert finished with honey, cinnamon sugar, or both. For a lighter version, these air fryer sopapillas deliver the same familiar flavors with far less oil and easier cleanup—perfect for a Cinco de Mayo treat or any time you want a quick, sweet snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These air fryer sopapillas are simple to make from pantry staples and come together quickly. The dough is straightforward, and you can customize the toppings to your taste—powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, honey, or even ice cream.
They crisp up in under 10 minutes in the air fryer, giving you warm, lightly airy pastries ready for a dusting of cinnamon sugar and a drizzle of honey.
They won’t puff exactly like deep-fried sopapillas and may be slightly less brown, but the flavor and texture are very close—and with much less oil and easier cleanup, they’re a great everyday option.
Katie’s tip
If you want a variation, try a sopapilla cheesecake bar which pairs the 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 (or 2 Tbsp melted butter as a substitute)
- ½ cup warm water
Toppings:
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar (or powdered sugar)
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp butter, melted
- Honey, for drizzling
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Shortening can be swapped for 2 Tbsp melted butter; the dough will be slightly denser but still tasty.
- Use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar if you prefer a finer coating.
- Tortilla shortcut: cut a medium flour tortilla into quarters, brush with melted butter, and air fry at 375°F for 5–6 minutes for a quick version.
How to Make Sopapillas in the Air Fryer
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt and mix until evenly distributed.
- Add the shortening and warm water, and stir until a dough forms. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook if you prefer.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece out to about 1/8″ thick. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F while rolling.
- Cut each flattened piece into four squares or rectangles. Place them in the air fryer basket or on the rack in a single layer—do not overcrowd. Cook in batches if needed. Lightly spray oil if you want extra browning.
- Air fry at 375°F for 4 minutes, flip, then cook an additional 2–3 minutes until puffed and lightly browned at the edges. Times may vary by air fryer and size of pieces.
- Brush hot sopapillas with melted butter, then sprinkle with the sugar-cinnamon mixture and drizzle with honey to taste.
More Mexican Inspired Recipes
Recipe FAQs
What Are Sopapillas?
Sopapillas are a traditional Mexican dessert made from fried dough, typically sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon and drizzled with honey or syrup. Air-fried versions use less oil and are a lighter alternative, though they may not puff as much as deep-fried ones.
Can I Use Puff Pastry for Air Fryer Sopapillas?
Yes. Puff pastry or flour tortillas can be used as shortcuts—cut into squares, air fry until golden and puffy, and finish with your favorite toppings. Cooking time will usually be a bit shorter than for the homemade dough.
What Toppings Can I Serve with Air Fryer Sopapillas?
Popular toppings include powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, honey, maple syrup, chocolate sauce, fruit preserves, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a la mode.
Can I Make Sopapillas Ahead of Time?
Yes. You can prepare the dough ahead and refrigerate it, or freeze either the uncooked dough or pre-cooked sopapillas. From frozen, add about 2 minutes to the reheating time.
Can I Make Savory Sopapillas in the Air Fryer?
Yes. Swap sweet toppings for herbs, cheese, or savory fillings like seasoned taco meat. Roll the dough thin and serve with salsa, guacamole, or other dips.
Are Air Fryer Sopapillas Healthier Than Deep Fried Sopapillas?
Air-fried sopapillas use less oil and so are generally a lighter option, but they still contain calories and carbohydrates from the dough and toppings. Enjoy them in moderation.
What’s the Difference Between Beignets and Sopapillas?
Beignets are typically made from yeasted dough, while sopapillas are more similar to a biscuit-style dough. Both are cut into squares, fried, and served with sugar.
Recipe Pro Tips
- Preheat your air fryer. Starting from a hot basket helps the dough puff and crisp properly.
- Mix the dough by hand if needed—sometimes hands give the best texture for bringing the dough together.
- Roll the dough thin (about 1/8″) and work in smaller portions so each piece can be rolled evenly; thick pieces won’t puff as well.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- To store leftovers, cool completely and transfer to an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes to re-crisp the exterior. Add about 2 minutes if reheating from frozen.
Final Thoughts
Air fryer sopapillas are a practical, lower-oil alternative to deep frying that still delivers warm, sweet, cinnamon-and-honey goodness. They’re slightly less puffy and brown than the deep-fried versions but remain an airy, delicious treat that’s fast to make and easy to adapt.
Make them for Cinco de Mayo, dessert after weeknight dinners, or anytime you want a simple, crowd-pleasing sweet. Sopapillas use mostly pantry ingredients, so they’re a reliable go-to when you want something tasty without much fuss.
Air Fryer Sopapillas Recipe
Equipment
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Air Fryer
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Mixing bowl
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Rolling pin
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Pastry cutter or knife
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp shortening (or 2 Tbsp melted butter)
- ½ cup warm water
Toppings
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar (or powdered sugar)
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp butter, melted
- Honey, to taste
Instructions
- 1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- 2. Add shortening and warm water and mix until a dough forms. You may use a stand mixer with a dough hook.
- 3. Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes.
- 4. Divide the dough into four pieces and roll each to about 1/8″ thickness. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- 5. Cut each rolled piece into four squares or rectangles and arrange in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook at 375°F for 4 minutes, flip, then cook 2–3 more minutes until puffed and lightly browned.
- 6. Brush hot sopapillas with melted butter, sprinkle with the sugar-cinnamon mixture, and drizzle with honey to serve.
Notes
- Preheat the air fryer to ensure the dough puffs and crisps properly.
- Mixing the dough by hand can help it come together more naturally.
- Roll the dough thin; thick pieces won’t puff well.
- Shortening can be swapped for melted butter if desired.
- Store cooled sopapillas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes, adding about 2 minutes if frozen.
Nutrition
