Easy Homemade Tortillas

Say hello to these Easy Homemade Tortillas! They outshine anything you’d grab from the shops, hands down. Whip them up fresh in your kitchen, and you’ll get tortillas that are extra soft, wonderfully doughy, and oh-so chewy. And guess what? They’re a breeze to make, no yeast or rising time required. Simple as can be!

I used to think making tortillas at home was a daunting task. But once I realised just how straightforward it is, I’ve been making them all the time. They’ve become a staple for our family’s Mexican dinners. Trust me, these homemade tortillas are a game-changer.

What makes them so special? For starters, they’re absolutely delicious. They boast a rich corn flavour that you just can’t find in shop-bought versions. Plus, they’re softer and chewier, making them perfect for rolling and folding without any cracking or breaking. You won’t need complicated re-warming instructions either. These beauties stay soft and pliable, ready to fold up beautifully into your favourite tacos or enchiladas.

And the best part? If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house), you can easily fry them up to make tortilla chips, chilaquiles, nachos, and more.

Today, I’m sharing my go-to recipe for making tortillas, along with all my top tips and shortcuts to make the process even easier and foolproof.This recipe is quick, easy, and produces tortillas that are leaps and bounds better than anything you’ll find at the shops. I’ll also show you how to roll out the dough without a tortilla press, in case you don’t have one. But let me tell you, if you’re planning to make tortillas regularly, investing in a tortilla press is totally worth it.

So get ready to elevate your taco and enchilada game to a whole new level!

Why you’ll love this recipe ??

1. Just 5 Ingredients: With only five simple ingredients, you can whip up these homemade flour tortillas. No need for preservatives or strange additives found in store-bought versions. Making them yourself guarantees a pure, wholesome product for you and your family to enjoy!
2. Quick and Easy: Making these tortillas is a breeze. No complicated steps or long waiting times. Just mix, roll, and cook!
3. Stays Soft and Fresh for Days: Once cooked, these tortillas stay soft and fresh for days in the refrigerator. Simply warm them up whenever you need a soft tortilla for your meal. Alternatively, you can store them in the freezer for future use, ensuring you always have delicious homemade tortillas on hand whenever you need them.
4. Versatile Leftovers: Even if you have leftovers (which is rare!), you can easily turn them into tasty treats like tortilla chips, chilaquiles, or nachos. No wastage here!

Ingredients Used to Make Easy Homemade tortillas :

• Flour: Plain, all-purpose flour gives the tortillas structure and strength.
• Masa Harina: This traditional ingredient adds a delicious corn flavour. It’s made from specially treated corn, giving your tortillas that authentic taste. Note: Regular cornmeal or corn flour won’t work here.
• Salt: Adds flavour to your tortillas, enhancing their taste.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the tortillas puff up slightly as they cook, giving them a light texture.
• Oil: Whether it’s olive oil, vegetable oil, or the more traditional lard, this ingredient coats the flour, making the dough easier to work with and roll out.
• Warm Water: Brings the dough together, ensuring it’s the right consistency for rolling out and cooking your tortillas.

Details of how to make Easy Home Tortillas :

1. Make the Dough

• Combine: In a bowl, mix together the flour, masa carina, salt, and baking powder. Make a well in the centre, then pour in the oil and warm water. Stir until you have a rough dough.
• Knead: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface. Use your hands to knead it for about 5 minutes, adding a little more flour if it gets too sticky. The dough should become smooth, soft, and easy to work with.
• Rest: Cover the dough with a towel and let it rest for 20-30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll out the tortillas later on.

2. Rolling the Dough

• Divide and Shape: Press the dough into a thick disk, then cut it into 14-16 equal parts. Use a bench scraper for easy cutting – start by dividing the dough into quarters, then eighths, and finally sixteenths. Shape each piece into a smooth ball by pinching the bottom to make it smooth on top. Cover the dough balls with a towel until you’re ready to roll and cook them.
• Roll Out: Flour your work surface and roll out one dough ball at a time. Sprinkle a bit more flour on the dough and the rolling pin as needed to prevent sticking. Roll it out evenly and thinly, aiming for a diameter of about 6-8″. Hold it up to the light to check if it’s translucent.
• Tortilla Press Option: If you have a tortilla press, you’re in luck! It makes the rolling process much easier.

3. Cook the Tortillas

• Preheat the Skillet: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes until it’s hot.
• Cooking Process: Place a tortilla onto the hot, dry skillet. Cook it for about 30-60 seconds until it starts to puff up and bubbles form. Look out for golden brown spots on the cooked side. Then, using tongs, flip it over and cook the other side for another 15-30 seconds.
• Repeat: Keep cooking your tortillas as you roll them out, placing each cooked tortilla in a lidded container to steam. Repeat this process until you’ve cooked all the tortillas.
• Enjoy: Serve the tortillas warm, filling them with your favourite taco fillings.

Helpful Tips and Tricks to Make Easy Homemade Tortillas :

1. Skillet Heat Control: Keep an eye on the heat of your skillet. Cast iron skillets hold onto heat for a long time, so if it’s getting too hot and burning your tortillas, lower the heat to medium-low. Conversely, if it’s taking too long to cook them, turn the heat up a bit.
2. Rolling Out: You can roll out all the tortillas at once if you prefer, but be aware that the uncooked dough may become sticky as it sits. To prevent sticking, layer them between sheets of wax paper.
3. Size Variation: This recipe yields 16 medium taco-sized tortillas. For larger burrito-sized ones, divide the dough into 8 portions and roll them out to about 10 inches in diameter.
4. Storage: Store leftover tortillas in an airtight freezer bag in the fridge for 5-7 days, or in the freezer for 3-6 months. When you’re ready to use them, reheat in the microwave at 50% power.

Looking for More Bread Recipes ?? Here are few of our favourites :

1. Quick and Easy Cheese Bread
2. Fluffy and Light Restaurant-Style Bhatura
3. Easy Homemade Garlic Naan Recipe

If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on our blog let us know how liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more amazing recipes!!

Easy Homemade Tortillas

Serves: 16 Medium Sized Tortilla Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 20 Minutes 20 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 3 voted )

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Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup masa-harina (corn flour)
• 1 tsp salt 
•  ¾ baking powder
• ⅓ cup oil 
• 1 cup warm water + more depending upon your flour
• 2-3 tbsp flour for dusting 

method

1. Mix the Dough: Combine the flour, masa harina, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add the oil and mix it in. Pour in the hot water and stir until the mixture forms a rough dough.
2. Knead and Rest: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for 3-4 minutes until smooth. Cover it with a damp towel and let it rest for 10-20 minutes.
3. Shape and Roll: Divide the dough into 14-16 pieces and roll each into a ball. Use a rolling pin or tortilla press to flatten each ball into a 6-8 inch circle.
4. Cook the Tortillas: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and place a tortilla in it. Cook for 30-60 seconds until bubbles form, then flip and cook for another 30 seconds until slightly golden. Transfer to a plate and cover with a towel. Repeat with the remaining dough.
5. Serve or Store: Enjoy the tortillas warm, or store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

 

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