Ingredients for Perfect Homemade Flour Tortillas

So, what exactly do you need to make tortillas from scratch? I’m thrilled you asked!

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Water
• Vegetable oil

Let’s dive a little deeper into the type of flour to use for making these incredible tortillas. While high-quality all-purpose flour yields excellent results, exploring different types of flour can add a unique touch.

Years ago, a friend introduced me to a specific Mexican flour, and I also experimented with regular American all-purpose flour. The result? Both options worked beautifully! So, while using authentic Mexican flour can offer a distinct flavor profile, you can achieve fantastic tortillas with any good-quality all-purpose flour available at your local grocery store.

How to Make Flour Tortillas: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Whisk together until evenly distributed.
2. Add the wet ingredients. Pour in the hot water (make sure it’s as hot as your hands can comfortably handle!) and the vegetable oil. Mix everything together with your hands until a soft dough begins to form, ensuring no dry bits remain. If the dough feels too sticky, gradually sprinkle in more flour, one tablespoon at a time. Conversely, if the dough appears too dry or crumbly, add a bit more water, also one tablespoon at a time. The ideal texture should resemble Play-Doh – soft, pliable, and slightly elastic.

3. Knead until smooth. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead it approximately 10 times. This brief kneading process is key to developing the perfect amount of gluten, resulting in soft, stretchy tortillas.
4. Divide and flatten the dough. Using a sharp knife or dough cutter, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and gently roll each one into a smooth ball. Then, lightly flatten each ball into a hockey puck shape. This step makes rolling easier later on. Lightly flour both sides of each flattened dough round and keep them covered with a clean kitchen towel while you heat the pan.
5. Roll and cook. Take one piece of dough and roll it out into an 8-inch circle, aiming for even thickness throughout to ensure uniform cooking. Place the rolled-out dough in a dry, preheated nonstick pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook for approximately 1 minute, or until the bottom side begins to develop light golden-brown spots. Flip the tortilla and cook for another 30 seconds or until similar golden-brown spots appear on the second side. Remember, no oil is needed – the dry heat is what creates those beautiful, characteristic char marks!

6. Keep warm and repeat. As each tortilla finishes cooking, immediately transfer it to a clean, dry kitchen towel and wrap it up snugly to keep it warm and pliable. Repeat the rolling and cooking process with the remaining pieces of dough. Enjoy your homemade tortillas warm, straight from the pan, or allow them to cool completely before storing.

Essential Recipe Tips for Homemade Tortilla Success

While the ingredient list and preparation method for these tortillas are quite simple, a few expert tips and tricks will guarantee perfect results every time:

• Hot Water is Key: Using very hot water (as hot as your hands can comfortably tolerate) is crucial. While the water shouldn’t be boiling, it should be hot enough to help the dough come together quickly and smoothly.
• Roll Evenly: When rolling the tortillas, make sure to roll all the way over the edges to ensure they have a consistent thickness throughout. The goal is to create a super-thin tortilla that’s almost translucent before cooking.
• Proper Cooking Time: Cook the tortillas for approximately 30 to 60 seconds on the first side before flipping them just once and cooking for an additional 30 seconds. The aim is to achieve slight browning in various spots as the tortillas puff up and cook evenly.
• Keep ‘Em Warm: As you cook the tortillas, it’s essential to keep them warm inside a towel as each one is finished. Stacking them on top of one another within a folded towel helps trap the residual heat, keeping the tortillas warm and moist.

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Your Tortillas

Once the tortillas have cooled completely, store them inside a sealable plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. This prevents them from drying out and maintains their soft texture.

To reheat the tortillas and restore their warmth and pliability, you can use either the stovetop pan method (just as you cooked them initially) or pop them in the microwave in between two slightly damp paper towels for 15 to 20 seconds, or until they’re warmed through. The damp paper towels will help to prevent them from becoming dry or brittle in the microwave.

Can you freeze flour tortillas? Absolutely! To freeze your homemade tortillas for longer-term storage, stack them with a sheet of parchment paper in between each tortilla to prevent sticking. Then, place the stack in a zip-top freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months, allowing you to enjoy fresh tortillas whenever the craving strikes.

Versatile Serving Suggestions for Homemade Flour Tortillas

These homemade flour tortillas are incredibly versatile and can be used for everything from satisfying breakfast burritos and cheesy quesadillas to flavorful soft tacos, delicious wraps, and even homemade tortilla chips. The possibilities are endless!

They’re also perfect for all your favorite Tex-Mex dishes. Try them rolled into Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas, smothered in Red Sauce Chicken Enchiladas, or crisped up into Chicken Taquitos. And if you’re looking for a sweet twist, use them to make Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichangas – trust me, they’re a next-level dessert experience!

For a quick and easy meal, especially for kids, simply add shredded cheese (and perhaps some cooked chicken or beans) atop the tortillas and microwave them for 20 to 30 seconds until the cheese is melted and gooey. Then, fold the tortilla in half, slice it into wedges, and serve. It’s a simple, satisfying, and undeniably fresh meal!

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Flour Tortillas

Can I use another oil besides vegetable oil?

Absolutely. While a neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil works best, you can use olive oil if that’s what you have on hand. Just keep in mind that olive oil will impart a more pronounced flavor to the finished tortillas.

Why are my tortillas stiff or cracking?

Tortillas can become stiff or crack if the dough is too dry or stiff. When preparing the dough, gradually add water to achieve a softer, more pliable texture. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, but not overly wet.

Do I need to use any oil in the pan when cooking the tortillas?

Nope! No oil is needed in the pan. As long as your pan is properly preheated over medium-high heat, the tortillas will cook quickly and won’t stick. This also allows you to achieve those classic, desirable charred spots without the added grease.

Can I use a tortilla press instead of a rolling pin?

While a tortilla press works exceptionally well for making corn tortillas, it’s not ideal for flour tortillas. Due to the gluten content in flour, a press simply won’t flatten the dough enough to achieve the desired thinness. Sticking with a rolling pin allows you to create super-thin and evenly shaped tortillas.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

While I haven’t personally tested this recipe using 100% whole wheat flour, you can experiment with it. I recommend starting with a small amount of whole wheat flour, replacing about 25% of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Keep the remaining flour as all-purpose.

Can I use gluten-free flour to make these tortillas?

This recipe was specifically developed using all-purpose flour. However, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend should work as a substitute, though I haven’t personally tested it. It’s important to remember that gluten plays a significant role in the texture and elasticity of these tortillas, so the results may be more delicate and prone to tearing. If you decide to give it a try, I’d love to hear how it goes!