Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe (Easy to make at home)

Warm, fresh tortillas straight off the griddle are a simple pleasure that can't be beaten. Store-bought tortillas pale in comparison to the flavors and textures you get from making them yourself at home. With just a few pantry staples like flour, salt, and fat, you can whip up a batch of deliciously soft and pliable flour tortillas in less than an hour, any day of the week.

Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting out, this recipe is easy to follow.

I get that making tortillas from scratch isn't an everyday kind of thing for most people, but once in a while, it's fun to experiment. And if you have a sudden hankering for a quesadilla and happen to be in the middle of nowhere (like us RVers often are), you'll know exactly what to do.

Seriously, guys this recipe is SO easy and it doesn't require a lot of ingredients or space.  

So, roll up your sleeves, dust off your rolling pin, and let's get started on making these mouth-watering homemade flour tortillas.

I always give instructions with step-by-step photos in my posts, just in case some readers have questions. But if you are just here for the recipe, click the JUMP TO RECIPE tab under the title, and it will take you straight there. You can also print the recipe card with full instructions, or you can click one of the SHARE BUTTONS and save it for later!

How to Make the Best Flour Tortillas

These tortillas can be made in a mixer with a dough hook, or in a bowl using a wooden spoon. Either way is fine, but there are a few steps that need to be taken to ensure they turn out soft and pliable.

• Let your dough rest for at least 30 minutes before trying to roll it out. If they shrink back when you try to roll them, that just means the gluten hasn't had enough time to relax. Let the dough sit for another 15 minutes or so, and then try again.

• You can use a tortilla press or just roll the tortillas very thin. You want to be able to see through them when you are done.

• What you want to use them for will determine the size you roll them out to.

• Cook them in a HOT skillet! A cast-iron skillet works really well because it retains heat.

• If the tortillas feel stiff or brittle, that means you have cooked them too long. You just want to see a few air bubbles start to form on the surface and then flip. You should see a few golden brown spots. 

• And last but not least, you want the tortillas to steam after taking them off of the heat. You can either put them in a tortilla warmer or wrap them in a clean kitchen towel inside of a pan with a tight-fitting lid. As you continue to add the hot tortillas, the steam inside the pan will build, making them nice and pliable.

How to eat Tortillas

Homemade flour tortillas are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas on how to use your fresh, homemade tortillas:

1. Tacos - Fill your tortillas with your favorite taco ingredients like seasoned ground beef taco meat, shredded cheese, lettuce, and salsa. You can also make a smaller version and use them to make these Buffalo Wild Wings Street Tacos.

2. Quesadillas - Layer cheese and your favorite toppings between two tortillas and cook in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy. You can use a variety of fillings like cooked chicken or beef, sautéed vegetables, or even mashed sweet potato for a unique twist.

3. Burritos - Fill your tortillas with rice, beans, cheese, and your choice of meat for a filling and delicious meal. Add some avocado, Pico de Gallo, and sour cream to take it to the next level.

4. Enchiladas - Roll your tortillas around your favorite filling like shredded chicken or beef, cover with enchilada sauce, and bake in the oven until bubbly and golden. Serve with rice and beans for a complete meal.

5. Wraps - Use your tortillas as a base for a healthy Chicken Caesar Wrap filled with grilled chicken, Romaine lettuce, homemade Caesar Dressing, and parmesan cheese. Throw in some Croutons for a little extra crunch!

6. Breakfast burritos - Fill your tortillas with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, and cheese for a hearty breakfast that's easy to make on the go. You can also add veggies like peppers and onions.

Get creative and experiment with different fillings and flavors to create your own signature dishes using your homemade tortillas.

Let's Gather Up the Ingredients

Organizing all your ingredients ahead of time not only streamlines the cooking process but also ensures you have everything required to complete the dish successfully. You can find the exact amounts in the recipe card below.

There are only 5 simple ingredients needed to make these super soft flour tortillas

• All-purpose flour

• Hot water- It doesn't have to be boiling. Hot from the tap is fine.

• Butter- Softened to room temperature

• Salt

• Baking powder

Now Let's Get Cooking

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer, or any other large bowl.

Add the softened butter and work it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse sand. You could use a pastry cutter, but I like to use my fingers to really incorporate it. 

Gradually add the hot water, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.

Using the dough hook on your kitchen mixer, knead the dough for about 5 minutes.  Alternatively, you could do this by hand on a lightly floured work surface.  Knead until you have a smooth ball of dough that is nice and elastic.

Cut the ball into 8 equal pieces, and then roll them into smooth balls that are approximately the same size. You can use a kitchen scale or just eyeball it.

Cover the dough balls with a clean dish towel. Give them a resting period of at least 30 minutes. This will relax the gluten.

Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.

On a lightly floured surface, first, flatten the ball using the heel of your hand, making a fairly round disc. Then use a rolling pin to roll out each dough ball into a thin, round tortilla, about 6-8 inches in diameter. This can be tricky, but the more you practice, the rounder they will become. They will taste just as good, no matter what shape they are in!

While working with the first tortilla, cover the remaining dough balls with a clean kitchen towel.

Carefully transfer the tortilla to the hot skillet and cook for 30-60 seconds on each side, until lightly browned and puffy.

Remove the tortilla from the skillet. Stack it in a clean kitchen towel inside a pan with a tight-fitting lid. Doing this will create steam, which will ensure that your tortillas will be soft and pliable.

Repeat with the remaining dough balls, wiping out the pan with a wet paper towel if flour starts to accumulate.

That's it! Your homemade flour tortillas are now ready to be used in a variety of dishes. Once you see how easy these are to make at home, you may never want to eat store-bought tortillas again.

How to Store Fresh Tortillas

To store your homemade flour tortillas, follow these simple steps:

1. Allow the tortillas to cool completely at room temperature.

2. Stack the tortillas on top of each other and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Alternatively, you can place them in an airtight container with a lid.

3. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to one week, or in the freezer for up to three months. If freezing, it's best to separate each tortilla with a piece of wax paper or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.

4. To reheat the tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 15-20 seconds until warm. Alternatively, you can heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 10-15 seconds on each side until warmed through.

It's important to note that homemade tortillas do not contain any preservatives, so they may not last as long as store-bought varieties. If you notice any signs of mold or spoilage, discard the tortillas immediately. Otherwise, enjoy your homemade tortillas in a variety of dishes and savor their delicious, fresh flavor.

How to Freeze Tortillas 

Tortillas are not hard to make, but they are time-consuming, so freezing them is a great way to have them on hand for future meals and can save you time and effort in the kitchen. 

Stack the tortillas on top of each other and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Alternatively, you can place them in an airtight container with a lid. When you're ready to use, remove them from the freezer and thaw at room temperature for a few hours, or overnight in the refrigerator.

How to reheat tortillas

Once thawed, reheat the tortillas in the microwave or on a dry skillet over medium heat for 10-15 seconds on each side until warmed through.

Warming tortillas in the air fryer is also a great option

Stack the tortillas on top of each other and wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. This will help them steam and prevent drying out. Heat for 3-5 minutes, flipping the package over halfway through.

It's important to note that freezing homemade tortillas may affect their texture and flavor. So just keep in mind that they may not be as soft and tender as they were when they were fresh. However, they will still be perfectly fine to use in a variety of dishes and can be a great way to save time and reduce waste in the kitchen.

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Did you make this recipe?

If you made these homemade flour tortillas or any of my other recipes, I'd love to know how they turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a picture and tag me on Facebook.

As always, I will be back next week with more delicious recipes from my RV kitchen to yours

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