Ah, homemade Flour Tortillas—there’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked tortillas filling your kitchen. They’re soft, warm, and perfectly chewy with just a hint of buttery goodness. Whether you’re wrapping them up with some sizzling fajita meat, using them for tacos, or simply enjoying them with a bit of butter, these tortillas are the foundation for so many delicious meals. Trust me, once you make these at home, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought.
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If you’ve never tried making your own tortillas before, I promise this recipe is foolproof. The dough comes together in minutes, and you only need a few simple ingredients. So, let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love Flour Tortillas
This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients—it’s about creating moments. Whether you’re making tacos for Taco Tuesday, enjoying a burrito night, or just having a tortilla with some butter for a snack, these homemade flour tortillas are versatile and downright delicious. Here’s why you’ll love them:
Simple Ingredients: Flour, salt, baking powder, fat, and water—sounds basic, right? But these simple ingredients combine to create something special that store-bought tortillas can’t touch.
Quick and Easy: The dough comes together in about 5 minutes, and cooking the tortillas takes just a couple of minutes each. You can make fresh tortillas anytime, without any fuss.
Customizable: Feel free to add a little extra flavor with some garlic powder, herbs, or spices. You can even make them whole wheat if you prefer a healthier version.
Versatile: From tacos to wraps, quesadillas to burritos, these tortillas will fit any meal. And if you have any extras, they’re perfect for dipping in salsa or guacamole.
Budget-Friendly: Making your own tortillas is so much cheaper than buying the packaged ones, plus they taste way better.
Ingredients in Flour Tortillas
You don’t need anything fancy to make these tortillas. The magic lies in using the right ratio of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Flour: All-purpose flour is your best bet for soft and chewy tortillas. No need for anything special here.
Baking Powder: This helps the tortillas puff up slightly as they cook, giving them that perfect softness.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the flavor.
Fat (Lard, Butter, or Oil): This adds richness and helps the tortillas stay soft. You can choose the fat you prefer—lard for a traditional taste, butter for a richer flavor, or oil for a lighter version.
Water: Lukewarm water helps bring everything together into a smooth dough.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps for making these soft, perfect flour tortillas:
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed before adding the wet ingredients.
Add Fat: Cut in the fat (lard, butter, or oil) until the mixture looks crumbly and resembles coarse sand. You can use a pastry cutter, fork, or your hands for this.
Add Water: Gradually add the lukewarm water and stir until the dough begins to come together. You may need to add a little more water, depending on your flour. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If the dough is sticky, dust with a little more flour as you knead.
Rest the Dough: Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces (or more, depending on the size you want). Roll each piece into a ball and let them rest for at least 10 minutes, covered with a damp cloth. This resting time makes the dough easier to roll out.
Roll Out the Tortillas: Once the dough has rested, take one ball of dough and roll it out on a floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll it into a thin circle, about 6-8 inches in diameter. Don’t worry about making them perfect; rustic edges are part of the charm!
Cook the Tortillas: Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, place a tortilla in the pan and cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until small bubbles form on the surface. Flip and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, until golden spots appear. Don’t overcook them—just enough to get them puffed and golden.
Keep Warm: Stack the cooked tortillas and cover with a clean towel to keep them warm and soft.
Serve and Enjoy: Your homemade tortillas are ready to be filled with all your favorite fillings. Serve them with tacos, burritos, or just enjoy them as they are!
How to Serve Flour Tortillas
These tortillas are perfect for so many different meals. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:
Tacos: Fill with seasoned ground beef, chicken, or veggies, then top with fresh salsa, cheese, and a squeeze of lime.
Quesadillas: Throw in some cheese and cooked chicken or veggies, fold, and cook until crispy.
Wraps: Use for delicious wraps—think grilled chicken, fresh veggies, and a tasty sauce.
With Dips: Cut them into wedges and serve alongside salsa, guacamole, or queso for a great snack or appetizer.
As a Side: Warm up with a bit of butter and a sprinkle of salt for a simple, delicious side to any meal.
Additional Tips
Make Extra: If you’ve got the time, make a double batch! These tortillas freeze beautifully, and you’ll have homemade tortillas on hand whenever you need them.
Resting Time: Don’t skip the resting time for the dough—it makes rolling out the tortillas so much easier and gives them a lovely texture.
Roll Evenly: Aim for an even thickness as you roll out the dough, but don’t stress if they’re not perfectly round. They’ll still taste amazing!
Customizable: Feel free to experiment with different fats (like olive oil or coconut oil) or add herbs and spices to the dough for a fun twist.
Storage Tips: Store leftovers in a sealed bag or container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze them for up to a month—just separate with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
A1: Yes, you can! Whole wheat flour will give the tortillas a denser texture and slightly nuttier flavor. You may need to add a bit more water.
Q2: Can I make these tortillas gluten-free?
A2: You can experiment with a gluten-free flour blend, but the texture and elasticity may differ from traditional flour tortillas.
Q3: How do I store leftover tortillas?
A3: Store them in a sealed bag or container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to a month.
Q4: Can I make these tortillas without a rolling pin?
A4: Yes! If you don’t have a rolling pin, you can use your hands to press the dough out into a circle.
Q5: How do I reheat tortillas?
A5: Reheat in a dry skillet for a few seconds on each side or wrap in a damp towel and microwave for 15-20 seconds.
Q6: Can I make these ahead of time?
A6: Yes, you can make them ahead and store in an airtight container. Reheat them on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
Q7: Can I make these tortillas with lard instead of butter or oil?
A7: Absolutely! Lard is the traditional fat used in tortillas and will give them an authentic flavor.
Q8: Can I double the recipe?
A8: Yes, this recipe can easily be doubled to make more tortillas for a crowd or to freeze for later.
Q9: Why didn’t my tortillas puff up?
A9: Make sure your pan is hot enough and that you’re not overcooking the tortillas. A high, steady heat helps them puff up nicely.
Q10: Can I use a tortilla press?
A10: Yes, if you have one, a tortilla press works great for making tortillas evenly and quickly.
Conclusion
Making Flour Tortillas from scratch is easier than you might think, and the results are so worth it. Soft, chewy, and perfect for all kinds of dishes, these homemade tortillas will become your new go-to. Whether you’re serving tacos for dinner, making quesadillas for lunch, or just enjoying a fresh tortilla with butter, you’ll be hooked. So go ahead—give it a try, and I promise you won’t regret it!
Print
Flour Tortillas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 tortillas
- Category: Bread
- Method: undefined
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Nothing compares to soft, homemade Flour Tortillas made with just 5 simple pantry ingredients. These tortillas are easy, quick, and taste so fresh!
Ingredients
- For the Tortillas: 3 cups all-purpose flour (360g) 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup hot water (240ml) 1/3 cup butter (75g), room temperature, cut into small pieces (or use lard, olive oil, or coconut oil)
Instructions
- Make the Dough:
Add flour, salt, and baking powder to a bowl and stir to combine. Stir in butter. Slowly mix in hot water, a little at a time, mixing until a dough forms. - Rest the Dough:
Remove dough to a lightly floured countertop and knead for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rest for 10 minutes. - Divide and Shape:
Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces for medium-size (8-inch) tortillas, or 10 for larger (10-inch) tortillas. Roll each piece into a ball. (At this point, the dough can sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours.) - Roll into Circles:
Lightly flour your counter and dough. Use a rolling pin (or tortilla press) to roll the dough into a paper-thin circle. - Cook:
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tortilla to the hot, dry skillet and cook for 30-60 seconds. Flip when bubbles form. Cook again for 30 seconds or so, then remove to a plate (or tortilla warmer) and cover with a dry kitchen towel while you cook the remaining tortillas.
Notes
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Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tortilla
- Calories: 159
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 275mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg