Last Updated on May 10, 2022 by
Sopes are a delicious Mexican street food that is meant to be enjoyed by all, but it is important to know how to fry sopes before you can make them on your own! This recipe only has three steps, yes only three! It is easy follow and great for beginners looking to try a new delicious recipe.
It is surprising how quick it is to learn how to make sopes. But first, we should understand what they are, the history behind them, and the many ways to eat them.
Table of Contents
What Are Sopes?
Not everyone has heard of or even tried these delicious treats. So, what are sopes? Mexican sopes are fried tortillas that are thick. Instead of rolling these thick tortillas to eat with stuffed ingredients, you can pile on meats, sauces, and other ingredients on top.
The origin from what we know is Culiacan city in North West Mexico over a thousand years ago. It is very traditional but has seen drastic changes from its origin. The indigenous people who lived in Mexico and Latin America made these tortillas out of the corn they grew.
Instead of adding cheeses and meats like beef and pork, it was more common to see Mexican sopes with beans and other vegetables like squashes and cabbages. Although you can eat this dish any time of the year, it is consumed more during events and celebrations like Cinco de Mayo.
How Do You Eat Mexican Sopes?
Now comes the best part of how to fry sopes, how do you eat them? This really depends on your own preferences. You can either make your own and add special ingredients into the dough before cooking, or buy your own premade sopes.
It is possible to refry premade sopes as usually the dough is only lightly cooked. In my opinion, though, it is best to make your own dough because you can modify it to your liking.
Typically, Mexican sopes are light snacks or appetizers. In some restaurants, they serve these authentic Mexican foods and snacks as a dish with yellow rice and refried pinto beans. You can eat them during any time of the day, but they are common for lunch!
What You Will Need To Make Mexican Sopes
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces of Dry Corn Harina
- 1 tsp. of Sea Salt
- 1 Cup of Warm Water
- 1/2 Cup of Vegetable Oil for Frying
- 1 tsp. of Baking Powder
Optional Ingredients (Toppings):
- Shredded Pork or Chicken
- Sliced Cabbage
- Salsa
- Queso Fresco
- Guacamole
- Cilantro
- Limes
Equipment
- Flat surface
- cutting board
- 2 large bowls
- one plate
- large skillet with depth
- tongs
Step By Step Instructions On How To Fry Sopes
Step 1: Prepare The Optional Ingredients
Truthfully, it does not take long on how to fry sopes. This is why you should always start with the preparation of the optional ingredients and toppings. Start with the meat as it takes long. So it is easier to eat and lays on the Mexican sopes better, you should shred the meat.
The same goes for cabbage. Eating cabbage with tortilla and corn harina for masa is common in authentic Mexican dishes. Look for a recipe that works well for you and your loved ones!
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Using the ingredients listed above, mix them all together! It is important to prepare the dough in an area with a cooler temperature. If it is too hot in your home, it will make it hard on how to fry sopes. The dough will melt if there is not enough cool air.
While preparing the dough, you will need to use a whisk or roll the dough in your hands. Make sure that the powder or flour is mixed well. The consistency of the dough should be sticky and thick.
Step 3: Roll and Shape the Dough
Now to the fun part in how to fry sopes! In this recipe, after the dough is prepared, you can either chill it for ten minutes or immediately roll and shape the dough. Add some flour to your hand and shape the Mexican sopes dough with your fingers. It should appear like a small bowl for the filling.
Step 4: Fry the Dough in Oil
Heat a large skillet with depth and add the vegetable oil. There is no way on how to fry sopes without hot oil, but the oil should not be too hot! Instead, heat the oil on a low to the medium stovetop. Place the sopes into the vegetable oil when the oil is sizzling. Flip the Mexican sopes when they turn golden on one side.
Step 5: Pat Dry, Cool, and Serve:
Once each of the sopes is done, pat dry them on a plate with paper towels and let them cool. Add the toppings once the sopes are cool enough to grab and serve to friends and family.
Tips And Tricks On How To Fry Sopes
There are a lot of tips and tricks on how to fry sopes. An important one is to use premade sopes! Did you know that some stores make and sell the dough? You only need to fry it for a few minutes and it is better to bake these premade ones.
You can also use an air fryer for store-bought sopes. This way, you do not accidentally overheat them and burn them in oil. It is the better option for people looking to lessen their oil intake.
Servings and Preparation Time For Mexican Sopes
|
Cook Time |
Preparation Time |
Serving Size |
|
8 Minutes |
10 Minutes |
8 |
It is important to understand how to fry sopes before you can make them! These delicious treats and snacks take no time! Actually, the filling for Mexican sopes is what takes longer. If you prefer, you can also fry premade and store-bought sopes or use an air fryer for less oil consumption.
Did you learn anything new on how to fry sopes? Let us know in the comment section below! We would love to hear from you! Also, don’t forget to share this recipe with friends and family looking to make a beginner Mexican sopes recipe!
FAQs
How do you fry premade Sopes?
There is not a big difference in how to fry premade sopes or fresh dough. However, you do need to be careful. Since premade sopes are already cooked, they do not require as much time in the oil. Simply place them and flip them after one minute in the sizzling oil. If you are too nervous to use hot oil, add them to a toaster oven or the oven for baking. It should still be crispy!
Can you air fry store bought Sopes?
The short answer is yes! Air fryers are great if you want to fry store bought sopes on a time crunch. Air fryers take a fraction of the time and use less oil! This is a healthier option that will decrease the chances of accidentally burning your Mexican sopes.
Mexican Sopes
Equipment
- Flat surface
- Cutting board
- 2 Large Bowls
- one plate
- large skillet with depth
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces of Dry Corn Harina
- 1 tsp. of Sea Salt
- 1 Cup of Warm Water
- 1/2 Cup of Vegetable Oil for Frying
- 1 tsp. of Baking Powder
Optional Ingredients
- Shredded Pork or Chicken
- Sliced Cabbage
- Salsa
- Queso Fresco
- Guacamole
- Cilantro
- Limes
Instructions
- Truthfully, it does not take long on how to fry sopes. This is why you should always start with the preparation of the optional ingredients and toppings. Start with the meat as it takes long. So it is easier to eat and lays on the Mexican sopes better, you should shred the meat.
- The same goes for cabbage. Eating cabbage with tortilla and corn harina for masa is common in authentic Mexican dishes. Look for a recipe that works well for you and your loved ones!
- Using the ingredients listed above, mix them all together! It is important to prepare the dough in an area with a cooler temperature. If it is too hot in your home, it will make it hard on how to fry sopes. The dough will melt if there is not enough cool air.
- While preparing the dough, you will need to use a whisk or roll the dough in your hands. Make sure that the powder or flour is mixed well. The consistency of the dough should be sticky and thick.
- Now to the fun part in how to fry sopes! In this recipe, after the dough is prepared, you can either chill it for ten minutes or immediately roll and shape the dough. Add some flour to your hand and shape the Mexican sopes dough with your fingers. It should appear like a small bowl for the filling.
- Heat a large skillet with depth and add the vegetable oil. There is no way on how to fry sopes without hot oil, but the oil should not be too hot! Instead, heat the oil on a low to the medium stovetop. Place the sopes into the vegetable oil when the oil is sizzling. Flip the Mexican sopes when they turn golden on one side.
- Once each of the sopes is done, pat dry them on a plate with paper towels and let them cool. Add the toppings once the sopes are cool enough to grab and serve to friends and family.
Notes
- An important one is to use premade sopes! Did you know that some stores make and sell the dough? You only need to fry it for a few minutes and it is better to bake these premade ones.
- You can also use an air fryer for store-bought sopes. This way, you do not accidentally overheat them and burn them in oil. It is the better option for people looking to lessen their oil intake.
Casia is a passionate home cook who loves to share her love of Mexican food with the world. She has been cooking since she was a child, helping her grandmother in the kitchen and learning the traditional techniques used to create delicious Mexican dishes. Casia loves to experiment with new ingredients and flavors, always looking for ways to make her dishes even more flavorful. She is also passionate about teaching others about Mexican cuisine and its rich history. When she is not in the kitchen, Casia enjoys exploring new cultures, traveling, and spending time with her family.