These homemade Flour Tortillas require only 5 ingredients! They’re simple, perfectly tender, and the perfect versatile flatbread for any meal of the day. You’ll never want to go back to store-bought tortillas after trying this recipe!
I’ve been dying to try out some homemade tortillas ever since I stumbled across this traditional tortilla press. While, of course, these can be made with a rolling pin, there’s just something so satisfying about squishing each ball of dough down into a perfect round.
With such a short list of ingredients, I’ll wage a bet that you already have everything you need to make this recipe! While we enjoyed these tortillas small for fajitas, you can make them larger if you’d like. You can even roll half the dough out as large tortillas, and the other half small to give yourself a variety.
What Are Tortillas?
So, what are tortillas? In reference to Mexican cooking the name comes from the Spanish word “torta” which means cake. In other words, a super flat savory pancake. In Mexico you’ll typically find them made with different varieties of corn, but North of the border we see flour used for the most part.
Ingredients
This recipe is so simple, I really am surprised that more people don’t enjoy their own homemade tortillas. Only 5 ingredients? Sign me up!
- Flour – I used all purpose flour for this recipe.
- Baking powder – This is what will give the tortillas their signature brown spots from the bubbles. Don’t use baking soda in its place or you’ll end up with an odd taste.
- Salt – You can add more or less depending on your preference.
- Butter – While tortillas are traditionally made with lard, butter is much more accessible to most of us and will work just as well.
- Water
Can I use other type of flour?
Yes you can! If you want to use whole wheat flour you’ll have to use an extra 3-4 tbsp water to get the same consistency for the dough.
Looking to make gluten-free tortillas? Replace the all purpose flour with 1 1/2 cups rice flour, 1/2 cup tapioca starch, and add 1 tsp xanthan gum. This ingredient is becoming much easier to find. It’s perfect for replacing the gluten in homemade breads so that everything will stay together without drying up or cracking.
How to make Flour Tortillas
- Make the dough: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and mix it into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs, using a pastry cutter or 2 knives. Pour in the water and mix until everything starts to come together. Dump the shaggy dough onto a clean surface and knead until uniform and smooth. Divide into 12 equal pieces for large tortillas or 24 pieces for small tortillas. Roll each piece into a ball, then cover balls with plastic and let rest 20 minutes.
- Finish the tortillas: Using either a tortilla press or a rolling pin, roll each piece into a ball and flatten until about 2mm in thickness. Heat a large skillet over medium-high and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side, or until browned. Transfer to a plate and cover with a kitchen towel to keep them warm. Repeat with remaining dough.
Some tips
- You can use lard or shortening instead of butter if you prefer.
- Roll each tortilla right before cooking it. They tend to shrink up pretty fast- we want to keep them nice and thin.
- Make sure the pan is preheated before starting to roll and cook your tortillas.
- Adjust the heat of your pan as needed to make sure the perfect golden brown color without burning.
How to store
You can store these either in the pantry or your fridge. Keep them wrapped with plastic, in a freezer bag, or a bread holder so they don’t dry out.
They will last about one week at room temperature or 2-3 weeks refrigerated. To reheat, stack them on a plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave for 10-15 second intervals until warm. You can also use a hot pan and let each tortilla sit for about 10 seconds on each side to warm up.
How to freeze
To freeze your flour tortillas, lay them out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, cover with plastic, and let them sit in the freezer for 45 minutes. After that, you can add them all to an airtight container or freezer bag. This will make sure they all don’t freeze together in one big lump. Your tortillas will last 6-8 months frozen.
How to serve
The options are endless! You can load these flour tortillas up with different meats:
- Pork Carnitas
- Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
- Chicken Enchilada Taquitos
- Easy Chicken Fajitas
- Crockpot Mexican Chicken
- Quick and Easy Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- White Chicken Enchiladas
- Steak Fajitas
Or you can serve them with these delicious dips:
- Pico de Gallo Recipe
- Joe Montana’s Touchdown Guacamole
- Baja Spinach Dip
- Homemade Salsa
- Avocado Shrimp Salsa
More Must Try Bread Recipes:
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Flour Tortillas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp butter unsalted, cold
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- Make the dough: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and mix it into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs, using a pastry cutter or 2 knives. Pour in the water and mix until everything starts to come together. Dump the shaggy dough onto a clean surface and knead until uniform and smooth.
- Divide into 12 equal pieces for large tortillas or 24 pieces for small tortillas. Roll each piece into a ball, then cover balls with plastic and let rest 20 minutes.
- Finish the tortillas: Using either a tortilla press or a rolling pin, roll each piece into a ball and flatten until about 2mm in thickness. Heat a large skillet over medium-high and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side, or until browned. Transfer to a plate and cover with a kitchen towel to keep them warm. Repeat with remaining dough.
Video
Recipe Notes
- If you’re using a tortilla press, make sure you read the instructions for it. Mine said to place the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap, or take a ziploc bag and cut it in half and use that. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the press.
- You can store these either in the pantry or your fridge. Keep them wrapped with plastic, in a freezer bag, or a bread holder so they don’t dry out.
- They will last about one week at room temperature or 2-3 weeks refrigerated. To reheat, stack them on a plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave for 10-15 second intervals until warm. You can also use a hot pan and let each tortilla sit for about 10 seconds on each side to warm up.
- To freeze your tortillas, lay them out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, cover with plastic, and let them sit in the freezer for 45 minutes. After that, you can add them all to an airtight container or freezer bag. This will make sure they all don’t freeze together in one big lump. Your tortillas will last 6-8 months frozen.
Can you make these with brown flour instead of white?
Use 3/4 cup whole wheat flour fr every cup of AP called for.
Hi there! I know this is for the soft tacos. Is it possible to fry them in oil and make crunchy taco shells?
Yes if you have a form to fry them around that should work!
Hi: Love your recipes, Always looking for something to try. Would like to see vegetarian entrees.