Flour Tortillas Recipe

There’s something truly magical about a freshly made flour tortilla. Picture this: warm, soft, and just slightly chewy with that perfect light, buttery flavor. Whether you’re wrapping up your favorite fillings for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas, or simply enjoying them with a smear of butter, homemade flour tortillas take any meal to the next level. And guess what? They’re surprisingly easy to make! Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll never go back to store-bought tortillas. The warmth, the fluffiness, and the satisfaction of making them from scratch will have you hooked. Let’s dive into making these soft, irresistible tortillas right at home!

Why You’ll Love Flour Tortillas

I’m about to change your tortilla game forever! Here’s why this recipe is a total winner:

Fresh and Flavorful:

There’s no comparison between store-bought tortillas and homemade ones. Fresh, warm, and made with just a few simple ingredients, these tortillas will elevate any dish. They have that melt-in-your-mouth texture and a slight chew that is absolutely perfect.

Quick and Easy:

You don’t need to be a master baker to make these tortillas. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have warm tortillas ready in no time. They’re the perfect addition to your weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Versatile:

These flour tortillas are the perfect base for a variety of dishes. From tacos and wraps to quesadillas and breakfast burritos, the possibilities are endless. You can also enjoy them on their own with a bit of butter or even make tortilla chips with leftovers!

Budget-Friendly:

No need to buy store-bought tortillas again. This recipe uses ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, and it’s a fraction of the cost of pre-made tortillas.

Customizable:

While this basic recipe is fantastic, you can get creative! Add herbs, spices, or even cheese to the dough for a twist on flavor. Plus, you can make them larger for burritos or smaller for street tacos.

Ingredients

Let’s gather the ingredients to make these delicious, fluffy flour tortillas:

All-Purpose Flour:

The main ingredient for our tortillas, giving them that soft and chewy texture we all love.

Baking Powder:

This helps the tortillas rise a little bit and gives them that perfect, airy softness.

Salt:

Just a pinch of salt adds the right amount of flavor to balance out the dough.

Vegetable Oil or Lard:

This is what makes the tortillas tender and slightly flaky. It also helps them roll out easily.

Warm Water:

The warm water helps bring everything together and creates a dough that’s smooth and easy to work with.

(Note: The full ingredient list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Let’s get those tortillas cooking!

Mix the Dry Ingredients:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir to mix everything together evenly.

Add the Oil:

Add the vegetable oil (or lard) to the dry ingredients and mix until the dough starts to look a bit crumbly, like small pebbles.

Add the Warm Water:

Slowly pour in the warm water, stirring as you go. Add just enough to bring the dough together—don’t add it all at once. You want a soft, slightly sticky dough.

Knead the Dough:

Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead for about 5 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour on your surface; if it’s too dry, add a tiny bit more water.

Let the Dough Rest:

Divide the dough into small balls, about the size of a golf ball. Cover them with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for at least 30 minutes. This step makes the dough easier to roll out and gives the tortillas that soft texture.

Roll the Dough:

Once the dough has rested, lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll each ball into a thin circle, as thin as you can without it tearing. Aim for about 8-10 inches in diameter. The thinner, the better—these should be soft and flexible!

Cook the Tortillas:

Heat a cast-iron skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, place a tortilla in the skillet and cook for about 1 minute, or until the surface starts to bubble. Flip it over and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute. The tortilla should have golden brown spots and be soft to the touch. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly round—each one will have its own beautiful shape!

Keep Warm:

Once the tortillas are cooked, place them in a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm while you cook the others.

Serve and Enjoy:

Serve these warm flour tortillas with your favorite fillings, or enjoy them on their own with a little butter or cheese. They’re perfect for tacos, fajitas, or just a snack with salsa.

Nutrition Facts

Here’s the nutritional breakdown for one flour tortilla (based on 10 tortillas):

Calories per serving: 150
Total Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 170mg
Total Carbohydrates: 21g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 0g
Protein: 3g
Vitamin D: 0mcg
Calcium: 6mg
Iron: 1mg
Potassium: 45mg

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Rest Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour

How to Serve Flour Tortillas

Now that you’ve got a stack of warm, soft flour tortillas, let’s talk about how to serve them:

Tacos:

Of course, these tortillas are perfect for tacos! Fill them with seasoned meat, veggies, cheese, salsa, and your favorite toppings. The soft, warm tortilla will hold all your fillings perfectly.

Quesadillas:

For a quick and easy meal, make quesadillas by adding cheese and any fillings you love (like chicken, mushrooms, or beans) to one tortilla, folding it over, and cooking it until golden and melty.

Burritos:

These tortillas are perfect for wrapping up burritos. Layer on rice, beans, meat, guacamole, and salsa, then roll them up tight for a hearty meal.

Wraps:

Whether it’s for lunch or a quick snack, flour tortillas are great for wraps. Add deli meats, veggies, cheese, and any spreads you like, then roll up for an easy meal.

With Dips:

If you’ve got some leftover tortillas, cut them into wedges and bake them into crispy tortilla chips to dip into salsa, guacamole, or your favorite dip.

Additional Tips

Store the Tortillas:

Store any leftover tortillas in a sealed plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them soft, place a damp paper towel in the bag. You can also refrigerate them, but be sure to warm them up before serving.

Freeze for Later:

Make a big batch and freeze some for later! To freeze, stack the tortillas with a layer of parchment paper between each one. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, just warm them in a skillet or microwave.

Make Larger or Smaller Tortillas:

Adjust the size of your dough balls for larger or smaller tortillas. For burrito-sized tortillas, make the dough balls bigger, and for street taco-sized tortillas, make them smaller.

Get Creative:

Feel free to experiment with flavor! Add some garlic powder, cumin, or cilantro to the dough for a fun twist on the classic tortilla flavor.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use whole wheat flour for this recipe?

A1: Yes! You can substitute whole wheat flour for part or all of the all-purpose flour for a slightly healthier option. The tortillas will be a little denser, but still delicious.

Q2: Can I make the dough ahead of time?

A2: Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just let it come to room temperature before rolling it out.

Q3: How do I store leftover tortillas?

A3: Store leftover tortillas in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature, or you can refrigerate them.

Q4: Can I freeze these tortillas?

A4: Yes, you can freeze them! Stack the tortillas with parchment paper between each one, wrap them tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Q5: Can I make these tortillas without baking powder?

A5: Yes, you can make tortillas without baking powder, but they’ll be a little denser. If you prefer a softer tortilla, I recommend keeping the baking powder in the recipe.

Q6: How thin should I roll the dough?

A6: Aim for a thin, but not paper-thin, tortilla. You want it to be thin enough to be soft and pliable, but not so thin that it tears when you cook it.

Q7: Can I use butter instead of vegetable oil or lard?

A7: Yes! If you prefer the taste of butter, you can substitute the vegetable oil or lard with butter for a rich, flavorful tortilla.

Q8: How do I keep tortillas warm while cooking the rest?

A8: Place the cooked tortillas in a clean kitchen towel and wrap them up to keep them warm. You can also place them in a covered dish in the oven on low heat.

Q9: Can I use a tortilla press instead of rolling the dough by hand?

A9: Yes! If you have a tortilla press, it can make the process easier and faster. Just be sure to adjust the size of the dough balls to fit your press.

Q10: How do I make these tortillas crispy for chips?

A10: After cooking the tortillas, cut them into wedges, then bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes or fry them for a few minutes until golden and crispy.

Conclusion

And there you have it—soft, warm, and delicious flour tortillas that will completely transform your meals. Whether you’re making tacos, burritos, or simply enjoying them with butter, these tortillas are a total game-changer. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you’ll have fresh tortillas that are way better than anything you can buy in the store. Happy cooking!

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