Who can resist the warm, comforting aroma of freshly made tortillas wafting through the kitchen? I know I can’t.
That is one reason why I love to make homemade tortillas. Also, they aren’t as difficult as you may think. Making your own tortillas at home not only allows you to customize the flavors and ingredients but also promises a taste sensation that's unparalleled.
My favorite part of homemade tortillas is that they are made with a simple list of ingredients and don’t have weird additives or fillers.
If you pick up a package of tortillas at the grocery store and read the ingredients list, you will see a long list of ingredients fill with words you can’t pronounce and unhealthy and inflammatory oils like shortening.
You don’t want to be feeding your family tortillas like this, especially once you discover how easy it is to make homemade tortillas.
Let's dive into the art of crafting tortillas from scratch in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
I love to keep things simple in the kitchen. I’m not one to fuss for hours in my kitchen over intricate and difficult recipes. I like simple and easy. To create the perfect (and easiest) homemade tortillas, you'll need a few simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry:
Flour: The foundation of any tortilla recipe is flour. All-purpose flour will work just fine for flour tortillas. You can also mill your own flour from wheat berries as well.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavor of the tortillas, balancing the sweetness of the flour and adding depth to each bite.
Baking Powder: Baking powder provides a slight leavening effect, resulting in softer and more pliable tortillas. It helps the tortillas puff up slightly while cooking, giving them a light and airy texture. I use this aluminum-free baking powder from Azure Standard.
Water: The essential liquid component that binds the dough together. Use lukewarm water to help activate the gluten in the flour, resulting in a smoother and more elastic dough. I prefer to use water that is filtered, so you don’t have any funky chemicals like chlorine or fluoride messing up the recipe.
Buter, lard, or oil: A fat will make the tortillas more pliable and will contribute to their taste along with binding all of the ingredients together. I would suggest using an animal fat over any type of oil for optimal results.
How to prepare tortillas:
Mixing the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder together. Gradually add water while stirring and mix in the fat or oil you decide to use until a rough dough forms. Once most of the flour is incorporated, knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 3-5 minutes.
Resting the Dough: After kneading, divide the dough into 8 even dough balls. Cover them with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This resting period allows the gluten in the dough to relax, making it easier to roll out the tortillas.
How to roll out tortillas:
Equipment needed: You'll need a rolling pin and a flat surface dusted with flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Lightly sprinkle the surface. If your dough starts to stick, it will quickly become a mess.
Rolling Technique: Place the dough ball on the floured surface and roll it out into a thin, round shape, rotating and flipping it as needed to maintain an even thickness. Aim for tortillas that are about 6-8 inches in diameter and 1/8 inch thick. Your tortillas may not be perfect if you hand roll them, that is okay! You can also invest in a tortilla press for perfectly-shaped tortillas.
How to cook tortillas:
Heating the Skillet: Heat a dry skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until it's hot but not smoking. You can test if it's ready by sprinkling a few drops of water onto the surface – they should sizzle and evaporate almost immediately. I use my cast iron skillet in the cooking process of making tortillas.
Cooking Time: Once the skillet is hot, carefully transfer a rolled-out tortilla onto the surface and cook it for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side, or until lightly browned spots appear and the tortilla puffs up slightly. Use a spatula to flip the tortilla halfway through cooking.
How to store and reheat tortillas:
Proper Storage Methods: Store any leftover tortillas in an airtight container or zip bag at room temperature for up to three days. Ensure there is no moisture or steam from the tortilla when you put into the bag so the plastic doesn’t heat up and cause any moisture issues for mold growth.
For longer storage, you can freeze the tortillas for up to three months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer bag. This is a great way to build up a food storage by bulk baking homemade tortillas and freezing them for future use.
Reheating Options: To reheat tortillas, you can either warm them in the microwave for a few seconds or heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat until they're warmed through. You can heat them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.
Tips for perfect tortillas:
Adding Flavorings: Get creative with your tortilla flavors by adding ingredients like garlic powder, chopped herbs, or even sun-dried tomatoes to the dough. You can make sourdough tortillas by mixing in your sourdough starter and allow the dough to ferment for up to 12 hours. Experiment with different flavor combinations to suit your taste preferences.
Troubleshooting Tips: If the dough is too dry and difficult to roll out, add a little more lukewarm water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. If the dough is too sticky and sticks to the rolling pin or surface, sprinkle a little more flour onto the dough and surface to prevent sticking.
Health Benefits of tortillas:
Homemade tortillas offer several health benefits compared to their store-bought counterparts:
Nutritional Value: By making your own tortillas at home, you have full control over the ingredients, allowing you to avoid preservatives and other lab-made chemicals commonly found in store-bought versions. Seriously, pick up a bag of tortillas at the store and read the ingredients label. I think you will be shocked! Homemade tortillas are made with simple, wholesome ingredients, making them a healthier option for you and your family.
Control Over Ingredients: Making tortillas from scratch allows you to choose high-quality ingredients, such as organic or locally-sourced flour, which can enhance the flavor and nutritional value of the final product. You can mill your own flour to ensure optimal nutrition as flour loses its nutritional profile the more time it sits after grinding. You can also turn your tortillas into sourdough tortillas to get the benefits of a fermented food.
How to serve tortillas:
Pairing with Dishes: Homemade tortillas are incredibly versatile and can be paired with a wide variety of dishes, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and more. I love to make homemade breakfast burritos for meal prepping and store them in the freezer. Grab one from the freezer and cook over the stovetop or heat up in the oven for an easy meal.
Using as Wraps or Chips: Tortillas can also be used as a base for wraps or cut into wedges and baked until crispy for homemade tortilla chips. Tortilla chips are another item that has spun out of control at the store. Loaded with preservatives and sprinkled with flavoring chemicals, they are not a good choice for your family to eat. Use your homemade tortillas to make sandwiches, wraps, or as a dip for salsa, guacamole, or hummus.
Homemade Flour Tortillas
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup butter, lard or oil of your choice, melted
- 3/4 - 1 cup warm water
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix until well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the melted butter, lard, or oil and warm water into the dry ingredients. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 3-5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. It shouldn’t be shaggy anymore after kneading.
- Rest the Dough: Shape the dough into 8 separate balls and cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes to allow the gluten to form.
- Roll Out the Tortillas: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough ball into a thin, round tortilla, about 8 inches in diameter and 1/8th of an inch thick.
- Cook the Tortillas: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Once hot, cook each tortilla for about 30 second to 1 minute on each side, or until lightly golden brown spots appear. Cooking time may vary for your stovetop
- Serve: Serve the homemade tortillas warm, either folded or wrapped around your favorite fillings. I love them with breakfast burritos!
Learning to cook homemade tortillas is easy. A part of homesteading is learning how to bake from scratch in your own kitchen, and homemade tortillas will help you return to your homesteading roots!
Plus, I promise you will prefer their taste and will never want to go back to store-bought tortillas. The ingredients for these tasty homemade tortillas are most likely sitting in your pantry right now, so save yourself a trip to the grocery store and get to rolling to have fresh tortillas within the hour! Happy homesteading!
FAQs
Can I Freeze Homemade Tortillas?
Yes, you can freeze homemade tortillas for later use. This is a great way to build up a food storage of homemade tortillas. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer bag. To thaw, simply let them come to room temperature or warm them in the microwave or oven. I prefer to heat over my cast iron skillet or bake in the oven.
Can I Make Gluten-Free Tortillas?
Absolutely! Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make gluten-free tortillas. It is important to know that gluten-free flour tends to run a bit more dry in recipes, so you will most likely have to add more water.
How Thin Should I Roll Out the Tortillas?
Aim for a thickness of about 1/8 inch when rolling out the tortillas for the perfect balance of softness and flexibility. Thicker tortillas may be too doughy, while thinner ones may become brittle and break when folded. Test and see what works for you.
Can I Make Flavored Tortillas?
Yes, sprinkle in a variety of herbs that sound flavorful and delicious to you. You can even grate in garlic to have homemade garlic tortillas.
