Description
Homemade Flour Tortillas are soft, warm, and perfect for wraps, burritos, tacos, or quesadillas. This easy recipe creates delicious tortillas that taste far better than store-bought.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (or vegetable shortening)
- 3/4 cup warm water (you may need a little more or less)
Instructions
-
Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. -
Incorporate the Fat:
Add the butter (or shortening) to the flour mixture. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. The mixture should look like little crumbs or pea-sized pieces of dough. -
Add Water:
Gradually add the warm water, mixing with your hands or a spoon as you go. Continue adding water until the dough starts to come together into a ball. You may not need the full 3/4 cup of water, so add it slowly. -
Knead the Dough:
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 2-3 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough feels sticky, sprinkle a little flour; if it feels too dry, add a few more drops of water. -
Rest the Dough:
Once kneaded, divide the dough into 8-10 equal portions and roll each into a small ball. Cover them with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for 20-30 minutes. This step helps the gluten relax, making the tortillas softer and easier to roll out. -
Roll Out the Dough:
After the dough has rested, use a rolling pin to roll each ball into a thin circle (about 6-8 inches in diameter). Try to keep the dough evenly rolled, but don’t worry about perfection—it’s okay if they aren’t perfectly round! -
Cook the Tortillas:
Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, place a tortilla into the pan (no oil needed). Cook for about 1-2 minutes until bubbles start to form on the surface. Flip and cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown spots appear. -
Keep Warm:
Remove the cooked tortilla from the skillet and place it in a clean kitchen towel to keep it warm. Repeat the process with the remaining dough balls. -
Serve:
Enjoy your freshly made flour tortillas with tacos, burritos, wraps, or as a side to your favorite Mexican dishes!
Notes
- For Soft Tortillas: The key to soft tortillas is to not overwork the dough, and to ensure the dough rests after kneading.
- Storage: Store leftover tortillas in an airtight container or wrap them in plastic wrap. They’ll stay fresh for 2-3 days at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat them in a hot skillet or microwave before serving.
- For Larger Tortillas: If you want to make larger tortillas, just divide the dough into fewer portions and roll them out accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1-2 minutes per tortilla
- Category: Bread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tortilla
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg