If you’ve ever dreamed of wrapping your favorite fillings in soft, warm, and utterly delightful flatbreads, this Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe is going to be your new best friend in the kitchen. Simple yet incredibly satisfying, these tortillas bring a fresh, traditional touch to your meals with every bite—perfect for everything from tacos to wraps or just enjoying plain. Once you taste the fresh, tender texture that only homemade can deliver, store-bought tortillas will feel like a distant memory.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Whipping up these homemade flour tortillas is a breeze because the ingredients are both straightforward and essential, each playing a vital role to create that perfect balance of softness, flexibility, and flavor.
- All-purpose flour (2 ½ cups): The base of your tortillas, giving them structure while remaining tender.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor and balances the ingredients beautifully.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps the tortillas puff up slightly and keeps them light.
- Vegetable oil or lard (3 tablespoons): Adds moisture and tenderness, with lard providing that authentic, traditional richness.
- Warm water (¾ cup): Binds everything together into a pliable, easy-to-roll dough.
How to Make Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Start off by whisking the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a large bowl. This ensures all these dry ingredients are well combined and ready to work their magic in the dough.
Step 2: Incorporate the Fat
Next, add your vegetable oil or lard into the dry mix. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the fat into the flour mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs—this step is crucial for that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3: Add Warm Water and Form Dough
Gradually pour in the warm water while stirring with a fork or your hands. Once everything starts coming together, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface to knead until it feels smooth and elastic—this usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 4: Rest the Dough
Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 20 minutes. This relaxation time allows the gluten to develop gently and makes the dough easier to roll out.
Step 5: Shape the Tortillas
Divide the rested dough into 8 equal pieces, rolling each into a neat ball. On a floured surface, take each ball and roll it out into a thin circle approximately 6 to 8 inches wide. Getting them evenly thin is the secret to these perfect homemade flour tortillas.
Step 6: Cook Until Golden
Finally, preheat a dry skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Place each tortilla on the hot surface and cook for about 30 to 45 seconds per side, until you see inviting golden-brown spots and the tortilla puffs up slightly. Keep them warm wrapped in a kitchen towel or inside a tortilla warmer until you’re ready to serve.
How to Serve Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe
Garnishes
Nothing beats a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or a dollop of creamy guacamole alongside your tortillas. These simple garnishes add brightness and complement the rich, warm flavor of your homemade tortillas perfectly.
Side Dishes
Homemade flour tortillas shine when paired with classic Mexican sides like refried beans, Mexican rice, sautéed peppers and onions, or a fresh pico de gallo. They provide a soft, comforting counterpoint to bold and spicy flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your homemade flour tortillas on an adventure—stuff them with grilled veggies and cheese for quesadillas, roll up spiced chicken or beef for flavorful burritos, or even cut them into triangles, brush with oil, bake until crispy, and serve as chips with salsa. The possibilities are endless and delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any homemade flour tortillas left after your meal, store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 3 days to keep them soft and fresh.
Freezing
For longer storage, stack your tortillas with parchment paper between each, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil, and freeze. They’ll keep well for up to two months and thaw quickly when you’re ready for a homemade tortilla fix.
Reheating
To bring frozen or refrigerated tortillas back to life, warm them gently on a dry skillet over medium heat for a few seconds per side or wrap in a damp towel and microwave for about 20 seconds. This will restore their softness and flexibility beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes! Whole wheat flour will give your tortillas a nuttier flavor and a heartier texture. You might need to add a little extra water as whole wheat tends to absorb more liquid.
Is lard necessary for authentic flavor?
Lard is traditional and adds fantastic tenderness and flavor, but vegetable oil works well too, especially if you prefer a vegetarian option or a lighter tortilla.
How thin should I roll out the tortillas?
Aim for about 6 to 8 inches in diameter and about 1-2 millimeters thick. Too thick, and they’ll be doughy; too thin, and they might tear or become crispy when cooked.
Why do some tortillas puff up when cooking?
The puffing happens because of moisture turning into steam inside the tortillas, creating little pockets that make them light and airy. This is a good sign and indicates your dough has the right consistency.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Traditional flour tortillas rely on gluten for their texture, so making them gluten-free requires specialized flours and binders; this recipe is best enjoyed with all-purpose flour for that authentic softness and flexibility.
Final Thoughts
Making your own tortillas may sound intimidating, but this Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe proves it’s actually simple and incredibly rewarding. Each step brings you closer to tasting the true comfort of fresh, warm tortillas made by your own hands. So, grab your ingredients, roll up those sleeves, and get ready to impress your loved ones with one of the most satisfying breads you’ll ever make!
Print
Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 tortillas
- Category: Bread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This homemade flour tortillas recipe yields soft, warm tortillas perfect for wraps, tacos, and more. Made with simple pantry ingredients, these traditional Mexican bread staples are easy to prepare on the stovetop, offering a tender and flavorful result whether using vegetable oil or lard.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard
- ¾ cup warm water
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder to ensure even distribution of the leavening.
- Add Fat and Combine: Add the vegetable oil or lard to the dry ingredients. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, incorporating the fat thoroughly.
- Form Dough: Gradually pour in the warm water while stirring with a fork or your hands until a rough dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 3 to 4 minutes until smooth and elastic, indicating proper gluten development.
- Rest Dough: Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 20 minutes to relax the gluten and make rolling easier.
- Divide and Shape: Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
- Roll Out Tortillas: On a floured surface, roll each ball into a thin circle approximately 6 to 8 inches in diameter for uniform cooking.
- Cook Tortillas: Heat a dry skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook each tortilla for 30 to 45 seconds on each side until light brown spots appear and the tortilla puffs slightly, indicating it is cooked through.
- Keep Warm and Serve: Keep cooked tortillas warm in a towel or tortilla warmer until ready to serve for best texture and freshness.
Notes
- To achieve softer tortillas, avoid overcooking each side.
- Using lard instead of vegetable oil provides a more traditional texture and tenderness.
- You can make tortillas ahead and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze them for longer storage.
