Nothing beats the smell of fresh flour tortillas sizzling on the skillet – trust me, once you try homemade, those store-bought versions just won’t cut it! Every Friday growing up meant “Taco Night” at our house, and my abuela would always whip up this simple flour tortilla recipe right before dinner. The way they’d puff up with little golden spots…oh man, I can still taste that warm, buttery goodness straight from the pan. What I love most? With just flour, water, oil and salt, you’re about 20 minutes away from the softest, most flavorful tortillas you’ll ever wrap around your favorite fillings.
Ingredients for Flour Tortilla Recipe
Here’s all you need for the most basic (but oh-so-perfect) homemade tortillas:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled – no packing!)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (I use kosher, but table salt works too)
- 3/4 cup warm water (about 110°F – think baby bottle temp)
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (or melted lard for that authentic abuela taste)
That’s it – four pantry staples standing between you and taco heaven!
How to Make Flour Tortilla Recipe
Let me walk you through my abuela’s foolproof process – I swear it’s easier than you think! Just follow these steps for the softest, most pliable flour tortillas:
Mixing the Dough
First, whisk together the flour and salt in a big bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the warm water and oil. Now here’s the trick – stir with a fork JUST until the dough comes together (over-mixing makes tough tortillas). When it looks shaggy, ditch the fork and get your hands in there!
Rolling and Cooking
Knead that dough on a lightly floured surface for 2-3 minutes until it’s smooth as a baby’s cheek. Divide into 8 equal balls (they should feel like soft golf balls). Let them rest 10 minutes under a towel – this relaxes the gluten for easier rolling. While waiting, heat your cast iron skillet over medium-high until a drop of water sizzles instantly.
Roll each ball into an 8-inch circle (don’t worry about perfect rounds – rustic is charming!). Cook for about 30 seconds until bubbles form and the bottom gets golden spots, then flip and cook another 30 seconds. Stack them in a clean kitchen towel to keep warm and soft while you cook the rest.
Pro tip: If your first tortilla cooks too fast or slow, adjust the heat. You want that perfect balance where they puff slightly but don’t burn!
Tips for Perfect Flour Tortilla Recipe
After making hundreds (okay, maybe thousands) of homemade flour tortillas, here are my can’t-live-without secrets:
- Keep that dough covered! A damp towel over the resting dough prevents dry edges that crack when rolling.
- Play with thickness – roll thinner for crispy tostadas or thicker for soft taco wraps (I like mine about 1/8″).
- Cast iron is king – that heavy skillet gives the perfect even heat for those signature golden spots and puffs.
Once you nail these tricks, you’ll never look at store-bought tortillas the same way again!
Flour Tortilla Recipe Variations
Want to mix things up? Try swapping half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for nutty flavor, or knead in minced garlic and chopped cilantro for herbed tortillas that’ll blow your mind! For special occasions, I’ll sometimes brush the cooked tortillas with melted butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar for dessert tacos – absolute magic with caramelized apples inside.
Storing and Reheating
These homemade beauties are best fresh, but if you’ve got leftovers (unlikely in my house!), here’s how to keep them soft: Stack cooled tortillas in an airtight container with parchment between each one. They’ll stay perfect at room temp for 2 days or refrigerated for up to a week. My magic trick? Revive day-old tortillas by tossing them on a dry skillet for 10 seconds per side – they’ll come back to life like you just made them!
Flour Tortilla Recipe FAQs
Can I freeze homemade flour tortillas? Absolutely! Stack cooled tortillas with parchment between each, then seal in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave briefly between damp paper towels.
Why aren’t my tortillas puffing up? Usually means your skillet isn’t hot enough or you rolled them too thick. Get that pan smoking hot and aim for thinner edges – the steam needs to build up fast to create those signature bubbles!
Any gluten-free alternatives? I’ve had decent luck with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but add an extra tablespoon of oil since GF flours tend to dry out faster. They won’t be quite as stretchy, but still delicious!
Nutritional Information
Nutrition info is always approximate, but here’s the breakdown per tortilla: 120 calories, 4g fat, 19g carbs, and 3g protein. Perfect fuel for your next taco night!
Seriously, once you taste these warm, homemade flour tortillas fresh off the skillet, you’ll understand why my family fights over the last one! Don’t forget to snap a photo and tag us when you make them – I love seeing your kitchen creations! Now go forth and make the most epic tacos of your life with these fresh, pillowy tortillas. ¡Buen provecho!
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Flour Tortilla Recipe: 20-Minute Soft Homemade Bliss
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 tortillas 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and easy recipe for homemade flour tortillas.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted lard
Instructions
- Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
- Add warm water and oil. Stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll into balls.
- Roll each ball into a thin, round tortilla.
- Cook on a hot skillet for 30-60 seconds per side until lightly browned.
Notes
- Keep the dough covered to prevent drying.
- Adjust thickness based on preference.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tortilla
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: homemade flour tortillas, easy tortilla recipe, Mexican bread
