Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe
If there’s one recipe that’s guaranteed to win hearts at your table, it’s Homemade Flour Tortillas. These soft, pillowy rounds are a world away from store-bought, infusing every bite with warmth and comfort. Whether you’re rolling them around your favorite filling or tearing off pieces to scoop up saucy dishes, they deliver that irresistible fresh-baked flavor. Once you try these, you’ll wonder how you ever settled for anything less!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Homemade Flour Tortillas come together with just a handful of simple pantry staples, but don’t let that simplicity fool you. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering perfectly tender, flavorful tortillas with just the right chew and flexibility.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the tortilla, it gives structure and that classic soft texture.
- Salt: Just a teaspoon brings out the subtle flavors and ensures your tortillas taste anything but bland.
- Baking powder: This gives the tortillas a gentle lift, making them light and pliable.
- Vegetable oil or melted lard: Fat is key for softness; oil keeps them vegan, while lard brings a touch of traditional richness.
- Warm water: Helps the dough come together smoothly and creates that tender, supple bite we all love.
How to Make Homemade Flour Tortillas
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl and whisking together your flour, salt, and baking powder. This ensures everything is evenly distributed, setting you up for tortillas that cook up consistently tender and flavorful.
Step 2: Incorporate the Fat
Add your vegetable oil or melted lard to the dry ingredients. Use your hands or a fork to work the fat in until the mixture looks a bit like coarse, sandy crumbs. This step is the secret to tortillas with that irresistible softness and just the right amount of richness.
Step 3: Add Warm Water and Form the Dough
Gradually pour in the warm water, stirring as you go. The dough will begin to come together—keep mixing until it forms a soft, shaggy mass. Switch to your hands and gently knead until you have a smooth, slightly tacky dough that feels springy but not sticky.
Step 4: Knead and Rest
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 2 to 3 minutes. This quick workout develops the gluten, giving your tortillas their signature stretch. Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rest for 30 minutes—the rest is crucial for rolling out easy, elastic tortillas.
Step 5: Divide and Shape
After resting, cut the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each into a ball. This is your chance to ensure every tortilla is the same size. Let the dough balls rest for a couple of minutes while you clear a space to roll them out.
Step 6: Roll Out the Tortillas
On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a thin circle, about 7 to 8 inches across. Don’t stress about perfect circles—rustic shapes have a charm of their own!
Step 7: Cook the Tortillas
Heat a dry skillet or griddle over medium-high. Once hot, lay a tortilla on the surface and let it cook for 30 to 45 seconds on each side, until light golden spots appear. Adjust the heat as needed so they cook through but don’t burn. Stack cooked tortillas in a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm and irresistibly soft.
How to Serve Homemade Flour Tortillas
Garnishes
Dress up your Homemade Flour Tortillas with a sprinkle of flaky salt, a brush of melted vegan butter, or even a dusting of fresh herbs. For a pop of color, scatter on some chopped cilantro or a squeeze of lime—these small touches elevate every bite.
Side Dishes
Pair your tortillas with classic refried beans, zesty rice, or a vibrant corn salad for a hearty meal. They’re also the perfect companion for stews, grilled veggies, or a smoky salsa—just let them soak up all those flavors!
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful with your Homemade Flour Tortillas by turning them into mini wraps, quesadillas, or even tortilla chips for dipping. Fold them around grilled veggies for a quick lunch, or layer them in a casserole for a Tex-Mex twist. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow resist polishing off every last tortilla, keep extras in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, pop them in the fridge, where they’ll stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days.
Freezing
Homemade Flour Tortillas freeze beautifully. Stack cooled tortillas with a piece of parchment between each one, slip them into a freezer bag, and they’ll be ready for action for up to 2 months. Just thaw at room temperature when a craving strikes.
Reheating
To reclaim that just-cooked magic, warm tortillas in a hot, dry skillet for a few seconds per side, or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave in short bursts. They’ll be perfectly pliable and ready to wrap around anything you like.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?
Absolutely! Whole wheat flour will bring a nutty flavor and a slightly denser texture. You can swap in part or all of the flour, but you may need a touch more water to keep the dough soft and easy to roll.
Why do my tortillas come out stiff?
Stiff tortillas usually mean the dough was too dry or overcooked. Make sure you’re adding enough water and don’t leave them on the skillet too long. Stacking them in a towel right after cooking helps them soften up beautifully.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, let it come to room temperature for easier rolling and cooking.
Is it better to use oil or lard?
Both work wonderfully. Oil keeps your Homemade Flour Tortillas vegan and light, while lard lends a richer, more traditional flavor. It comes down to your personal preference or dietary needs.
Can I make mini or extra-large tortillas with this recipe?
Definitely! Just divide the dough into smaller or larger portions and roll them out accordingly. Keep in mind, cooking times may vary slightly for different sizes.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about pulling a stack of warm Homemade Flour Tortillas straight off the skillet. They’re easy, endlessly versatile, and so much better than anything you’ll find on a grocery shelf. Gather your ingredients, give it a try, and get ready to fall in love with each soft, flavorful bite!
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Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 tortillas 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This homemade flour tortillas recipe is a simple and authentic way to create soft, warm Mexican flatbreads from scratch. Using basic pantry ingredients, you can make delicious tortillas perfect for tacos, burritos, or wraps. The dough is easy to prepare, requires resting for improved texture, and cooks quickly on the stovetop, resulting in flexible and flavorful tortillas every time.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted lard
- 3/4 cup warm water
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder to evenly combine the dry ingredients.
- Add Oil and Combine: Add the vegetable oil or melted lard to the dry mix and use your hands or a fork to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring even distribution of fat.
- Add Warm Water and Form Dough: Gradually pour in the warm water while mixing until a soft and slightly sticky dough forms, ensuring proper hydration.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 2 to 3 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which helps develop gluten for pliability.
- Rest the Dough: Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes. Resting relaxes the gluten, making the dough easier to roll out.
- Divide and Shape: Divide the rested dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball to prepare for rolling into tortillas.
- Roll Out Tortillas: On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough ball into a thin circle approximately 7 to 8 inches in diameter, aiming for even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Cook Tortillas: Heat a dry skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook each tortilla for 30 to 45 seconds on one side until light golden spots appear, then flip and cook the other side similarly. Adjust heat as necessary to avoid burning.
- Keep Warm and Serve: Stack the cooked tortillas in a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm and soft until serving to preserve their pliability.
Notes
- Tortillas are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Reheat tortillas in a warm skillet or microwave before serving to restore softness.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with melted lard for a more traditional flavor.
- Ensure the water is warm, not hot, to activate the baking powder without killing it.
- Resting the dough is important to achieve tender, flexible tortillas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tortilla
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
