Homemade Tortillas
Homemade tortillas offer a freshness and flavor that store-bought versions simply can’t match. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create soft, pliable tortillas perfect for wrapping up your favorite fillings. Whether you’re planning a taco night, making wraps for lunch, or just love the taste of freshly made flatbreads, this recipe is for you.
Why Try This Recipe?
Making tortillas from scratch is easier than you might think and requires only basic kitchen equipment. This recipe uses all-purpose flour, making it accessible to anyone who doesn’t have specialized ingredients at home. The satisfaction of enjoying a meal wrapped in a tortilla you made yourself is unmatched. Plus, homemade tortillas can be a fun cooking project for families or friends to tackle together.
Ingredients Summary
- All-purpose Flour: The base of the tortilla dough.
- Baking Powder: Gives the tortillas a slight lift, making them softer.
- Warm Water: Helps to bind the ingredients and activate the gluten for a pliable dough.
- Soft Butter: Adds richness and tenderizes the dough, contributing to the tortillas’ soft texture.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the tortillas.
Storage Information
Homemade tortillas can be stored in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to 2 months. To freeze, separate tortillas with parchment paper and place them in a ziplock bag to prevent sticking. Thaw at room temperature or heat directly on a pan from frozen.
Baking Tips
- Dough Consistency: The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. If it’s too dry, add a little more warm water; if too sticky, add a bit more flour.
- Resting the Dough: Allowing the dough to rest for 15 minutes makes it easier to roll out and helps develop the flavor.
- Rolling Thin: The key to soft, flexible tortillas is rolling them thin enough. Aim for about 1/8 inch or 3 mm thickness.
- Cooking: Use a well-heated, dry skillet or pan. Cook each tortilla for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side, or until they show golden brown spots.
- Keeping Warm: Stack cooked tortillas on a plate covered with a clean kitchen towel. This keeps them warm and soft until serving.
FAQ about Homemade Tortillas
- Can I use oil instead of butter? Yes, vegetable oil or even lard can be used as substitutes for butter, each adding a slightly different flavor and texture to the tortillas.
- How do I achieve perfectly round tortillas? Rolling out dough can be tricky. For perfectly round tortillas, use a rolling pin to roll from the center outwards, turning the dough a quarter turn after each roll.
- My tortillas are hard after cooking. What did I do wrong? This usually happens if the tortillas are too thick or cooked for too long. Ensure the pan is hot enough and try to roll the dough thinner.
Homemade tortillas are a simple yet rewarding way to enhance your meals with the taste of freshly made bread. Whether you’re serving them alongside a hearty stew, as the base for tacos, or simply enjoying them with a bit of butter, these tortillas are sure to be a hit. Happy cooking!
Homemade Tortillas
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Non-stick skillet or griddle
Ingredients
- 400 g / 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 230 ml / 7.77oz warm water
- 60 g / 0.22 cup soft butter
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add the soft butter to the dry ingredients and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually pour in the warm water while stirring continuously. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a clean, lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Divide the dough into small balls, about the size of a golf ball, and cover them with a clean kitchen towel. Let them rest for 15 minutes.
- After resting, roll out each dough ball into a thin circle, about 6-8 inches in diameter, using a rolling pin.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place a rolled-out tortilla onto the hot skillet and cook for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown spots appear and the tortilla puffs up slightly.
- Repeat the process with the remaining dough balls, stacking the cooked tortillas on a plate and covering them with a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm.
- Serve the homemade tortillas warm with your favorite fillings or dishes. Enjoy your delicious homemade tortillas!
