Mexican Sopes Recipe

Name: Mexican Sopes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups masa harina (corn flour); 1 cup warm water; 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional); Vegetable of Canola Oil (for frying); Optional toppings: refried beans, shredded lettuce, cheese, salsa, etc.

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Looking for an authentic, traditional Mexican dish to serve on Cinco de Mayo? These easy Mexican Sopes would be perfect! As a bonus, they are gluten free and vegetarian!

A close up picture of a mexican sope with toppings

Mexican Sopes are made from Masa, which is a finely ground corn flour. The dough is shaped into thick disks, like a thick corn tortilla, that are fried, then topped with all your favorite taco toppings, like Refried Beans, Shredded Chicken, lettuce and cheese.

Be sure to try some of our other popular Mexican recipes like One Pan Mexican Chicken and Rice, Authentic Mexican Rice and Slow Cooker Mexican Beans.

Ingredients for Mexican Sopes

There are only a few ingredients you need to make this homemade Sopes Recipe.

Masa Harina (corn flour) – Made from dried Maize corn and found in the hispanic foods aisle. It’s also used to make Corn Tortillas and Tamales.
Warm Water – Tap water on the hot setting is fine, or you can heat it a little in the microwave. It should be warm, but not so hot it will burn you.
Salt
Cooking Oil – Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable or canola oil.

How to Make Mexican Sopes

Don’t be intimidated by the process, it’s actually really easy to make them from scratch! I make them all the time and it’s about as easy as it gets.

Get a detailed list of ingredients & instructions in the recipe card below.

Make the dough. Combine Masa harina, salt and warm water together to form the masa dough, kneading for a couple of minutes with your hands or until the dough is firm and not sticky. Cover with a damp kitchen towel for 20 minutes to rest.
Divide and press the dough. Divide dough into 12-14 golf ball sized portions. Using a tortilla press, a rolling pin, or your hands, press into 1/4-½ thick inch discs. If the discs are cracking as you press them, the dough needs more water. It should be firm but springy.
Fry and form. Add some oil to a cast iron skillet and fry the discs over medium-high heat. As you work, keep a damp towel over the dough so it doesn’t dry out. Set the cooked sopes aside and cover with a dry kitchen towel. After about 30-45 seconds when they are cool enough to handle, gently press the edges to form a rimmed edge.
Serve. Top the sope shells with beans, meat, lettuce, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

collage of images showing how to make sopes

FAQs

Where did Sopes come from?

A sope is a traditional Mexican dish originating in the central and southern parts of Mexico. It is also known (but not as commonly) as picadita. Sopes are also served as antojitos, which is Spanish for “little cravings,” or Mexican appetizers. Some other delicious antojitos include Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, Elote, Homemade Taquitos, and Shrimp Ceviche.

What are Sopes made of?

Traditionally they are made from masa harina and water. Masa harina is a corn flour that thickens when water is added. The dough is used to make tortillas, tostadas, tamales, pupusas, and more. Masa Harina can be found in the Hispanic section of your grocery store.

What is the difference between sopes and gorditas?

A sope is a thick disk of fried corn dough that’s shaped and topped like a pizza. Gorditas are made with the same thick dough but stuffed and folded like a taco.

Do Sopes have gluten?

No! They are made from Masa, which is corn, and they are completely gluten free! Of course you’ll want to take caution with the oil you use for frying and the toppings you select.

An overhead shot of Mexican sopes with toppings on a cutting board

Serving Suggestions

Sopes are similar to a tostada, served topped with meat, beans, and vegetables. I can totally eat these thick, crunchy bowls on their own, but popular toppings include:

Beans: Refried beans, Mexican Black Beans
Proteins: Carne Asada, Carnitas, Shredded Chicken, Shredded Mexican Beef
Vegetables: Lettuce, tomatoes, olives, sauteed bell peppers, and onions
Salsas: Homemade Salsa, Salsa Verde, Fresh Pineapple Salsa, Pico de Gallo
Cheese: Cotija cheese, shredded cheddar, or queso fresco
Other toppings: Sour cream, Guacamole
Breakfast: Spread with a thin layer of refried beans, then top with scrambled eggs, chorizo and cheese.

Mexican Sopes stacked, with a bit taken out of the top one

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Sopes will last about a week in the fridge if properly stored in an airtight container.

Freezing: You can freeze them for up to a month, stored in a freezer bag.

Reheating: To reheat, place the disks, thawed, in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake or air fry at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes or until crisp.

Recipe Notes and Top Tips

If the dough feels dry as you knead it, add more water a spoonful at a time, until the dough is soft and manageable. The dough should feel firm and spring back when lightly pressed.
Keep the dough covered with a damp towel to keep it moist.
Keep a small bowl of water nearby to keep your hands and the dough moistened as you work.
Use a tortilla press to form the disks. If you don’t have a tortilla press, use the flat bottomed heavy dish or skillet.
Instead of plastic wrap, use a gallon sized Ziploc bag and cut the ends off to create two separate pieces. The plastic is thicker than plastic wrap and is easier to peel off and reuse.

More Delicious Mexican Recipes

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Mexican Sopes

5 from 3 votes

Kristin Maxwell

Authentic Mexican Sopes are an easy dish for Cinco de Mayo or any night of the week. Top with refried beans and your favorite taco toppings.

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings servings

Calories 104kcal

Ingredients

▢ 1 1/2 cups masa harina (corn flour)
▢ 1 cup warm water
▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt optional
▢ Vegetable of Canola Oil for frying
▢ Optional toppings: refried beans, shredded lettuce, cheese, salsa, etc.

Instructions

Stir the masa, salt and water together until a dough forms. With lightly floured hands, knead the dough for a few minutes. Form the dough into a large ball. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and let rest for 20 minutes.
Divide the dough into golf ball sized portions and roll each one into a ball shape.
Place a ball of dough between 2 pieces of plastic wrap (or use a plastic zip-top bag cut in half) and press into a disc about 1/4-½ inch in thickness. Place back into the bowl and cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel.
Heat about 1/2-inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat. (You will know it's ready when a drop of water sizzles in the pan).
Place masa discs into the hot oil and cook until lightly browned and crispy, turning once. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and cover with a dry kitchen towel. After about 30-60 seconds, when they are cool enough to handle, use your finger to form a rim around the edges.
Add toppings and serve immediately.

Notes