1. Stir together flour, shortening, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in water; mix until dough is smooth. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes.

2. Roll dough out on a floured board until 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick.

3. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

4. Cut into 3-inch squares.

5. Fry dough squares in the preheated oil until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

What Is a Sopapilla? 

A sopapilla is leavened dough that is fried, then often dusted with either powdered sugar or cinnamon-sugar. The frying process causes the dough to rise, leaving it with a hollow center. Sopapillas are common in Latin American and Tex-Mex cuisines.

How Do You Make Sopapillas? 

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these sopapillas at home:

1. Mix the dry ingredients together, then stir in the water. Let the dough stand.
2. Roll out the dough and cut into squares.
3. Fry the dough until the squares are golden brown on both sides.
4. Drain on paper towels.

How to Store Sopapillas 

Sopapillas are best served warm on the same day they’re made. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for up to three days.