Description
This Flour Tortillas recipe is a quick and easy way to make soft, warm tortillas from scratch using simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for tacos, burritos, wraps, or as a side to Mexican dishes, these homemade tortillas are cooked on the stovetop in a skillet, resulting in a tender and flexible texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Fat and Liquid
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (or vegetable shortening)
- 3/4 cup warm water (adjust as needed)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder to ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients.
- Incorporate the Fat: Add the butter or shortening to the flour mixture. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to work the fat into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces.
- Add Water: Gradually add the warm water while mixing with your hands or a spoon. Continue until the dough starts to come together into a ball. Be sure to add water slowly as you may not need the full amount.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 2-3 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Adjust flour or water as necessary if the dough is too sticky or too dry.
- Rest the Dough: Divide the dough into 8-10 equal portions, roll each into a ball, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and allow to rest for 20-30 minutes. Resting relaxes the gluten, making the tortillas softer and easier to roll out.
- Roll Out the Dough: After resting, roll each ball into a thin circle approximately 6-8 inches in diameter using a rolling pin. Aim for even thickness but exact shape is not critical.
- Cook the Tortillas: Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Place a tortilla in the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbles form, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown spots appear. No oil is needed.
- Keep Warm: Remove each cooked tortilla and place it inside a clean kitchen towel to keep warm while cooking the remaining tortillas.
- Serve: Enjoy the homemade tortillas warm with your favorite fillings or as a side to Mexican dishes.
Notes
- Make sure to rest the dough; this step is essential for soft tortillas.
- You can substitute vegetable shortening for butter for a slightly different texture.
- If tortillas puff up while cooking, that indicates steam is building and creates a layered texture.
- Cook tortillas on medium-high heat to get the perfect golden spots without burning.
- Store leftover tortillas in an airtight container or wrapped in foil to maintain freshness.
