Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Making flour tortillas from scratch is so much easier than you might think! The combination of butter and hot water creates a soft, tender dough that cooks up into the most delicious, pliable tortillas. These tortillas are perfect for wrapping around your favorite fillings or simply enjoyed with a bit of butter. With a perfect balance of texture and flavor, these homemade tortillas will elevate any Mexican meal. Plus, they’re made with just a handful of pantry ingredients, so you’ll always have what you need to make them.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
- 1 ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 5 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup hot water (add more if needed to form dough)
Directions
1. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
2. Add the Butter:
- Add the softened butter to the flour mixture and use your fingers to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
3. Form the Dough:
- Slowly pour in the hot water, a little at a time, while mixing with your hands. Continue adding water and mixing until a sticky dough ball forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough to a clean surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth, soft, and elastic. The dough will lose its stickiness as you knead.
5. Rest the Dough:
- Lightly oil a baking sheet and a sheet of plastic wrap. Divide the dough into equal portions (about golf-ball size), roll them into balls, and place them on the baking sheet. Cover with oiled plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 20–30 minutes.
6. Preheat the Pan:
- Heat a 12” non-stick skillet or comal over medium heat until very hot (around 500°F if using an infrared thermometer).
7. Roll Out the Tortillas:
- Lightly flour your work surface. Take one dough ball, flatten it with your hands, then roll it out, rotating as you go, until you have a very thin round about 10 inches in diameter. Flip occasionally while rolling to prevent curling and sticking.
8. Cook the Tortillas:
- Place the rolled dough on the hot pan and cook for 20–30 seconds per side until bubbles form and golden spots appear. Flip and cook the other side briefly.
9. Store:
- Stack the warm tortillas and wrap them in a clean kitchen towel to keep them soft. Once cooled, transfer to a zip-top bag to prevent them from drying out.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 10 servings
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Gluten-Free Version: You can try a gluten-free flour blend to make these tortillas gluten-free. The texture may differ slightly, but they should still be soft and delicious.
- Flavor Variations: Add herbs like cilantro or garlic powder to the dough for added flavor. For a touch of sweetness, you can even add a little honey or sugar.
- Larger or Smaller Tortillas: Adjust the size of the dough balls depending on how large or small you want the tortillas. Just keep in mind that the thinner you roll them, the larger they will be.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep the tortillas in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20–30 seconds. Alternatively, you can warm them up in a skillet over low heat for a few seconds per side.
FAQs
1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, margarine works well as a substitute for butter if you prefer or if you need a dairy-free option.
2. Can I make these tortillas ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Allow the dough to come to room temperature before rolling it out.
3. How do I keep my tortillas soft after cooking?
Stack the cooked tortillas and wrap them in a kitchen towel. This will help keep them soft and warm. You can also store them in a zip-top bag once they cool.
4. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough before rolling it out. Portion the dough into golf-ball-sized balls, wrap them in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to use them, let them thaw at room temperature before rolling them out.
5. How do I prevent the tortillas from sticking while rolling them out?
Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin, and keep the dough ball lightly floured as well. You can also flip the dough occasionally while rolling to prevent it from sticking.
6. Can I use this recipe to make larger tortillas?
Yes, simply divide the dough into fewer portions to make larger tortillas. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time slightly as larger tortillas will take a bit longer to cook.
7. Can I make these tortillas without a non-stick skillet?
Yes, you can use a regular cast iron skillet or any pan you have. Just be sure to heat it thoroughly before cooking the tortillas to ensure a nice golden color.
8. Can I add some flavor to the dough?
Yes! You can add herbs like rosemary, thyme, or garlic powder to the dough for extra flavor. Just fold the herbs in with the dry ingredients.
9. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but the tortillas will have a denser texture. You may need to adjust the water amount slightly.
10. What’s the best way to serve these tortillas?
These soft tortillas are perfect for tacos, wraps, quesadillas, or even as a side with your favorite dips like guacamole or salsa!
Conclusion
These Soft Flour Tortillas are incredibly easy to make and will add the perfect touch to any meal. Whether you’re making tacos, burritos, or enjoying them on their own with a bit of butter, these tortillas will become a staple in your kitchen. Soft, tender, and full of flavor, they’re sure to impress your family and guests. Enjoy!
Soft Flour Tortillas Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These homemade soft flour tortillas are perfect for tacos, burritos, wraps, and more. Made with just a few simple ingredients, they are soft, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
1 ½ tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp baking powder
5 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 cup hot water (add more if needed to form dough)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Add the softened butter to the flour mixture and work it into the flour until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
- Slowly pour in the hot water, a little at a time, while mixing with your hands. Continue adding water and mixing until a sticky dough ball forms.
- Transfer the dough to a clean surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth, soft, and elastic.
- Lightly oil a baking sheet and a sheet of plastic wrap. Divide the dough into golf-ball-sized portions and place on the baking sheet. Cover with oiled plastic wrap and let rest for 20–30 minutes.
- Preheat a 12” non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until very hot (about 500°F).
- Lightly flour your work surface. Flatten one dough ball with your hands, then roll it out to about 10 inches in diameter.
- Place the rolled dough onto the hot pan and cook for 20–30 seconds per side until bubbles form and golden spots appear. Flip and cook the other side briefly.
- Stack the warm tortillas and wrap them in a clean kitchen towel to keep them soft. Once cooled, store in a zip-top bag to prevent them from drying out.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend.
Add herbs like cilantro, garlic powder, or a touch of honey for a flavor variation.
Adjust the size of the dough balls for larger or smaller tortillas.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tortilla
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
