If you have always thought making your own tortillas was complicated, get ready to be surprised by this Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe. It brings together simple pantry staples into a soft, pliable, and incredibly flavorful tortilla that outshines any store-bought version. Whether you’re craving burritos, quesadillas, or just a warm bread to scoop up your favorite dishes, this recipe will become your new favorite go-to for fresh, delightful wraps made right in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe requires only a handful of essential ingredients, each playing a key role in crafting the perfect texture and taste. From flour that forms the base to butter that adds richness and softness, the simplicity here is truly magic.
- Unbleached all-purpose flour (3 cups / 440g): This provides the perfect structure and chewiness for the tortillas.
- Kosher salt (1 teaspoon / 5g): Enhances and balances the flavors just right.
- Baking powder (1¼ teaspoon / 6g): Adds a little lift so the tortillas stay soft and slightly puffed.
- Hot water (1 cup / 240g): Warms the flour and helps bind the dough to the perfect consistency.
- Melted butter (⅓ cup / 75g): Infuses each tortilla with a rich, tender texture and subtle buttery flavor.
How to Make Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe
Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients
Start by whisking together the unbleached all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. This step ensures that the flour is evenly seasoned and the leavening agent is distributed throughout, which helps give the tortillas their signature lightness.
Step 2: Incorporate the wet ingredients
Create a well in the dry mix and pour in the melted butter alongside the just-boiled hot water. Using a wooden spoon or Danish dough whisk, gently mix until the dough starts to come together. Be careful to avoid overmixing; you want every bit of flour moistened without developing too much gluten, which keeps the tortillas tender.
Step 3: Knead and rest the dough
With clean hands, knead the dough briefly for about 30 seconds to bring it into a smooth ball. Then cover the bowl and let the dough rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. This rest period is critical as it relaxes the dough, making it much easier to roll out thin without shrinking back.
Step 4: Portion and shape the dough
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 larger or 10 smaller pieces, depending on your tortilla size preferences. Roll each piece into a neat ball, then dust both the work surface and dough balls lightly with flour to prevent sticking as you roll them out.
Step 5: Roll out the tortillas
Using a rolling pin, flatten each ball into a thin, roughly 9-inch circle. The goal here is to get the tortillas thin enough to be flexible yet sturdy—perfect for rolling or folding. For a thicker tortilla like a gordita, aim for about 7 to 8 inches diameter instead. Don’t worry too much about exact circles; the rustic charm adds to the homemade appeal.
Step 6: Cook each tortilla
Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium low heat. Place one tortilla into the dry pan and cook for about 2 minutes until bubbles start to form and you see 3 to 4 golden brown spots on the underside. Flip and cook the other side for another 2 minutes. Repeat with all tortillas, adjusting the heat slightly if they brown too fast or too slow.
Step 7: Keep warm and serve
Once all tortillas are cooked, wrap them tightly in a clean kitchen towel to keep soft and warm. This step locks in moisture and keeps the tortillas pliable—perfect for assembling your favorite dishes right away.
How to Serve Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh herbs like cilantro, sliced avocado, or a dollop of creamy sour cream can elevate your homemade tortillas to a whole new level of flavor and freshness. These simple garnishes complement the subtle buttery taste of the tortillas beautifully.
Side Dishes
Homemade flour tortillas pair wonderfully with Mexican classics such as spicy beans, smoky grilled meats, or a vibrant pico de gallo. You can also enjoy them with scrambled eggs and cheese for breakfast or alongside hearty stews to soak up all the delicious juices.
Creative Ways to Present
Besides traditional tacos and burritos, try using these tortillas as the base for wraps packed with fresh veggies and hummus, or cut into strips and crisped up for quick homemade tortilla chips. Their soft texture and rich flavor make them extremely versatile.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover tortillas tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them soft and ready to use without drying out.
Freezing
For longer storage, place parchment paper between tortillas to prevent sticking, then store in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen tortillas keep well for up to two months and thaw quickly when needed.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 20-30 seconds per side or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 15-20 seconds. This restores their softness and warmth, so they taste just as fresh as when first made.
FAQs
Can I substitute butter with oil in this Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe?
Yes, you can substitute melted butter with a neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil. Butter adds a distinct richness and flavor, but using oil will still yield soft tortillas. Just make sure to use the same amount for the best texture.
Why should I use hot water instead of cold water?
Hot water helps the flour absorb the liquid more quickly and allows the fat to melt slightly, resulting in softer, more tender tortillas. Cold water would slow this process and make the dough tougher to work with.
What’s the best way to roll out the tortillas evenly?
Lightly flour both your surface and rolling pin, and roll from the center of the dough ball outwards while rotating it to maintain an even circular shape. Don’t press too hard—gentle, consistent pressure works best!
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Traditional flour tortillas rely on gluten for elasticity and chew, so substituting with gluten-free flours can be tricky and may change the texture. Specialized gluten-free all-purpose blends designed for baking may work, but results might vary.
How thin can I roll the tortillas without tearing?
The dough is quite forgiving because of the resting process and butter content. Aim for about 9 inches in diameter rolled as thin as 1 to 2 mm. If the dough resists stretching, let it rest a bit longer to relax the gluten.
Final Thoughts
Making your own tortillas at home is a game-changer, and this Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe makes it so approachable and fun. Once you taste the difference of freshly made tortillas—with their fluffy, buttery warmth—you’ll be hooked for life. Grab your rolling pin and give this recipe a spin; your meals are about to get so much better!
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Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe
Discover the best homemade flour tortillas that are incredibly simple to make and far superior to store-bought versions. With a soft texture and perfect balance of flavor, these tortillas are ideal for burritos, quesadillas, tacos, and more. This recipe combines basic pantry ingredients with straightforward techniques, yielding 8 to 10 tortillas in just under an hour including resting time.
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 tortillas (large) or 10 tortillas (smaller)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups unbleached all purpose flour (440g)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (5g)
- 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder (6g)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup hot water, just boiled (240g)
- ⅓ cup melted butter (75g)
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking powder. Whisk together well to ensure even distribution of the leavening and salt.
- Add wet ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the melted butter and hot water. Use a wooden spoon or Danish dough whisk to gradually incorporate the wet ingredients into the flour mixture, scraping the sides of the bowl to avoid any dry pockets. Mix until the dough holds together but take care not to overmix.
- Knead the dough: Using your hands, gently knead the dough for about 30 seconds to bring it fully together into a smooth ball.
- Rest the dough: Place the dough ball back into the bowl and cover it. Let it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to relax the gluten, which makes rolling easier.
- Divide and shape: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into 8 larger or 10 smaller equal pieces, then roll each piece into a smooth round ball.
- Roll out tortillas: Flour your surface lightly again, including sprinkling a bit of flour atop each dough ball. Roll each piece out into a thin circle approximately 9 inches in diameter for standard tortillas. For thicker Gorditas-style tortillas, roll to 7-8 inches.
- Cook tortillas: Heat a large nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Place one tortilla at a time into the dry pan. Cook for about 2 minutes until bubbles appear and 3-4 golden brown spots form on the underside. Flip and cook another 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough pieces.
- Keep warm and serve: Wrap cooked tortillas in a clean kitchen towel to stay soft and warm. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor, perfect for making burritos, quesadillas, tacos, or enjoying as fresh bread.
Notes
- Resting the dough is crucial for easier rolling and a softer texture.
- Use unbleached all-purpose flour for best results; bleached flour can alter taste and texture.
- Adjust heat as needed to avoid burning; medium-low is ideal to cook through without charring.
- Stored tortillas can be reheated in a dry pan or wrapped in foil in a low oven.
- For vegan variation, substitute butter with an equal amount of vegetable oil or vegan margarine.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
