Best 20 Homemade Tortillas Recipes

HOMEMADE TORTILLAS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Stir in water and oil. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 10-12 times, adding a little flour or water if needed to achieve a smooth dough. Let rest for 10 minutes., Divide dough into 8 portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 7-in. circle., In a greased cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook tortillas over medium heat until lightly browned, 1 minute on each side. Serve warm.

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a mixing bowl. Mix in the lard with your fingers until the flour resembles cornmeal. Add the water and mix until the dough comes together; place on a lightly floured surface and knead a few minutes until smooth and elastic. Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
• Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Use a well-floured rolling pin to roll a dough ball into a thin, round tortilla. Place into the hot skillet, and cook until bubbly and golden; flip and continue cooking until golden on the other side. Place the cooked tortilla in a tortilla warmer; continue rolling and cooking the remaining dough.

HOMEMADE CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Cut in the lard. Stir in the water. Mix to incorporate. The dough should be slightly wet. Form the dough into a smooth ball, cover with a towel and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 12 even pieces. Place a little water on the hands and form the dough into golf ball-size balls. Take 2 pieces of waxed paper or plastic wrap from a plastic bag and cut them to the shape of the surface of the tortilla press. Open the tortilla press and lay one piece of waxed paper on the press. Place the masa ball in the center. Place another piece of waxed paper over the masa ball. Gently close the press and press down, until the dough has spread to 6-inches in diameter.
• Heat a cast-iron griddle or a large nonstick skillet on high heat. Working with 1 tortilla at a time, hold a tortilla in your hand, carefully removing the wax paper on each side. Allow the tortilla to rest half on your hand, and half hanging down, and gently lay the tortilla down on to the hot skillet. Start working on pressing the next tortilla. Cook the tortilla on the hot pan for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side. The tortilla should be lightly toasted and little air pockets forming.
• Heat 2-inches of canola oil in a heavy-bottomed medium skillet until it reaches 370 degrees F. Add the tortillas, 1 at a time and fry, turning once with tongs, until crispy, about 30 seconds. Remove to a baking sheet lined with paper towels and lightly season with salt.

HOMEMADE CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Set a comal, a flat griddle, or a cast-iron skillet over medium heat until thoroughly heated. (If the pan isn't hot enough, the tortillas will stick to it.)
• Meanwhile, cut two circles about the size of the tortilla press plates (or at least 6 inches in diameter if using a rolling pin) out of thin plastic bags, such as produce bags from the grocery store; do not use plastic wrap.
• In a large bowl, mix together the masa harina, salt, and water and then knead in a circular motion until the dough feels smooth and without lumps. It shouldn't be wet or sticky but nice and moist. If it feels coarse when you gather the dough together, add a bit more water. Masa dries out fast, so keep it covered while you make the tortillas.
• Roll a piece of the dough in the palm of your hand into a ball about 1½ inches in diameter. Place one of the plastic circles on the bottom of the tortilla press and place the ball on top. Place the other plastic circle on top of the ball and clamp down the press to make a flat disk, jiggling the press a little as you get to the bottom (this makes for a rounder tortilla). It should be about 5 inches in diameter and about 1/8 inch thick. Alternatively, you can place a ball between plastic sheets or parchment paper and roll out the tortillas with a rolling pin.
• Open the press, check the tortilla for dryness (see Cook's Trick), and add water to the dough if needed. Remove the plastic on top of the tortilla, then lift up the bottom piece of plastic and the tortilla with one hand and peel the tortilla away from the plastic with the other hand. Keep at least half of the tortilla off your hand to make it easier to transfer it swiftly to the hot pan.
• Place the tortilla on the hot surface and don't touch it for 30 seconds-even if it doesn't lie completely flat, resist the temptation to fiddle with it! Cook until you can easily lift it with a spatula, 40 seconds to 1 minute; it should be opaque on the cooked side. Flip and cook for about a minute longer, until it has begun to get brown freckles. Flip once more. After 10 to 15 seconds, the tortilla should puff like pita bread, if not all over, at least in one area. If it is not puffing, gently tease it along by poking it in the center with the tip of your finger. Once it puffs, let the tortilla continue cooking for another 15 to 20 seconds, so that it cooks all the way through. That extra cooking is what makes the difference between stiff tortillas and those that are toothy, tender, and pliable.
• Transfer the cooked tortilla to a clean kitchen towel or a cloth-lined tortillero (a tortilla basket, which looks just like a bread basket) and cover to keep warm while you make the rest of the tortillas.
• Cook's Trick
• The masa has to be as soft and smooth as Play-Doh. This has less to do with the kneading-which takes under a minute-than with the amount of water. The measurement given on most bags for masa harina is too low. Here I give you the measurement that works for me. Things will vary, however, according to climate and ingredients. One way to tell if your masa needs more water is to take a look at the first tortilla after you have pressed it out. If the edges seem cracked and rough, you need more water. The tortilla should be smooth and even along the edges, not at all ridged.

HOMEMADE CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine masa harina and water; mix well with your hands. When dough forms, begin kneading in the bowl. Continue adding water, a tablespoon at a time, until dough becomes smooth and thick; it should be the consistency of Play-Doh. Roll dough into a ball slightly smaller than a golf ball (1.5 oz or 40 g). Set aside on a baking sheet, covering with a damp kitchen towel to prevent it from drying out.
• Preheat a comal or skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, cut freezer bag along either side to create a large plastic sheet; prepare the tortilla press by covering the bottom plate with half the sheet. Place a tortilla ball in the center of the bottom plate and flatten slightly with your hand; then cover the ball with the other half of the plastic sheet. Lower the press firmly so that the dough is sandwiched between the two plates. Open the press, flip the circle of dough (still sandwiched in plastic), and press again. Remove the flattened tortilla: it should be about 6 inches in diameter and an even thickness throughout.
• Test the comal by splashing a few drops of water on the surface; they should sizzle immediately. Remove raw tortilla from plastic and gently place onto the center of the comal. Watch for the edge of the tortilla to begin to dry out and turn opaque, 1 minute. Flip and cook the other side until the tortilla turns opaque and blistery, 1 more minute. Flip back to the first side and let it cook for a final 30 seconds. It will puff up like a balloon when it's cooked through. If the edges of the tortilla look grainy and dry, mix 1 tablespoon of water into the dough; make another dough ball and repeat the process of pressing and cooking.Once you've made your first "perfect" tortilla, you know the consistency is correct. Turn the rest of the dough into dough balls, lining them up on the baking sheet and keeping them covered with a damp towel throughout the pressing and cooking process.
• Line a basket or bowl with a dry towel and store the cooked tortillas in a stack, covering as you go. Wrapped up, they should stay warm for about an hour. (Alternatively, microwave the tortillas for 30 seconds.) Use cooked tortillas for Chef Cámara's Baja-Style Fish Tacos and Tinga de Pollo Tacos. For her Egg-Stuffed Tortillas and Deep-Fried Cheese Quesadillas, you will need to begin with uncooked tortillas.

AUTHENTIC HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix in the lard/margarine with your fingers until the flour resembles cornmeal. Add the water and mix until the dough comes together; place on a lightly floured surface and knead a few minutes until smooth and elastic. Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
• Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Use a well-floured rolling pin to roll a dough ball into a very thin, round tortilla. Place into the hot skillet, and cook until bubbly and golden; flip and continue cooking until golden on the other side. Place the cooked tortilla in a tortilla warmer; continue rolling and cooking the remaining dough.
• Store in ziplock bag and re-warm in microwave or oven. If using microwave, wrap tortillas in moist (not wet) paper towel to steam them back to life.

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the bottom blade, add the all-purpose flour, wheat flour and salt and pulse 2 to 3 times to combine. Add in the cold lard and butter and pulse until the mix resembles cornmeal-like texture, 5 to 6 (20-second) pulses. Add the warm water and pulse until a dough ball forms.
• Turn the dough out onto a well-floured board and knead until the dough is elastic and smooth and no longer sticky, 3 to 4 minutes. Form into a small loaf shape, about 6 by 4-inches. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces. Working with one at a time, roll into a ball, about the size of a golf ball and dust lightly with flour. Repeat.
• Place the balls, one at a time, into a well-floured tortilla press, press down and remove. You should have a 6-inch disc at this point. Place the disc on a floured board and roll out to 8 to 9-inch in diameter and almost paper thin, lightly dusting with flour and turning as needed. You can stack them, separated by waxed paper.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add the raw tortillas, one at time, cook for 30 to 45 seconds per side, or just until the bubbles puff up, then turn and repeat. Keep the cooked tortillas in a towel, covered, to keep warm and pliable.
• Special equipment: tortilla press.

SOFT HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Whisk the baking powder and salt into the flour.
• Mix in egg using a wooden spoon.
• Cut in the lard (easiest using a pastry cutter, but can be done with forks or butter knives).
• Add warm water.
• Mix, then knead for 5-10 minutes until smooth (I do about 5 minutes).
• Lightly coat hands with some of the reserved lard, and then shape dough into 12 balls. It will be necessary to re-coat hands every 1-2 tortillas. The dough will seem too wet, but it's okay!
• Lightly flour your board and rolling pin, roll out into thin disks. If you're having trouble getting the tortillas thin enough, use a little more flour on your dough board.
• Fry in a dry pan (no oil) on medium high heat, flipping once.
• Keep warm in towel until ready to serve. Or keep in gallon ziplock in the fridge.
• OPTIONAL: Kitchen-Aid mixer with dough hook will work instead of hand-kneading.
• OPTIONAL: I actually prefer to cook them as I roll them, instead of rolling them all out and then cooking them.
• OPTIONAL: Original recipe instructs, after kneading, to place in a NON-metallic bowl, cover with a wet paper towel, and let rest for 20 minutes. Then again, after shaping balls, rest again (similarly covered) for 10 minutes. I usually skip these steps and think they're still great.
• NOTE: Supposedly you should try to make SMOOTH balls, tucking in the bottom similar to yeast rolls, but in my opinion, it makes no difference.

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Stir together flour with salt in a bowl, then cut in lard with a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles meal. Drizzle vegetable oil over and stir in warm water with a fork until a dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes, dusting hands occasionally with flour if dough is sticky.
• Form dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest 1 hour. Heat a dry well-seasoned cast-iron comal, regular griddle, or skillet over moderately low heat until hot. Cut dough into 12 equal pieces and form into balls.
• When rolling out 1 ball at a time with dowel, use just enough flour to prevent dough from sticking; you don't want excess flour coming off on the comal. Keep remaining dough covered with plastic wrap. Roll out each ball into a 7-inch round, maintaining an even thinness as you roll. Cook 1 tortilla on comal as you roll the next.
• Tortilla will bubble and puff, and bottom will be browned in spots in 45 seconds. Turn it over and cook second side in same way, moving tortilla around to compensate for any hot spots on comal if necessary. Transfer to a kitchen towel. Stack and cover tortillas as cooked. They can be frozen (cool thoroughly first). Rewarm thawed tortillas on comal before using.

HOMEMADE SPELT FLOUR TORTILLAS

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix all ingredients well.
• Cover and let sit in a warm place for 20 minutes.
• Divide into 8 equal parts and let sit, covered, another 20 minutes.
• Roll each ball out to a 6- or 7-inch circle shape. I've found it helps to flatten each ball with your hand. Then take the rolling pin and roll from the center outwards, back and forth a few times as you go around the circle. When it starts to get thinner, take your left hand (if you're right handed) and turn the tortilla a couple inches. Use your right hand to use the rolling pin (holding in the middle) and roll from the center outwards. Keep turning and rolling until it is paper thin.
• Preheat a skillet on medium high heat.
• Place a tortilla into the skillet and watch until bubbles form. This won't take long.
• After bubbles form, and the bottom is lightly brown (or there are darker spots), flip over, press down once or twice, and cook for about 30-45 seconds, or if smoke appears.
• Cook remaining tortillas, watching carefully, and place in a plastic bag, with wet paper towels in between them (or at least on top and bottom of stack) to keep them soft and moist.
• Refrigerate for later or remove the paper towels and freeze.

HOMEMADE CORN TORTILLAS - 1 WW POINT

Steps:

• Combine the masa harina and salt in a medium bowl; stir in 1/4 cup of the water, then stir in enough of the remaining 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to form a soft dough. Divide the dough into 6 pieces and shape each into a ball. Roll each ball out between sheets of plastic wrap into a 6-inch round.
• Set a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat and heat until a drop of water sizzles in it. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add a dough round and cook until speckled and slightly puffed, about 1 minute on each side. Transfer the tortilla to a plate lined with a clean kitchen towel; fold the towel over to keep the tortilla warm. Cook the remaining dough rounds to make a total of 6 tortillas, stacking them in the towel as they are cooked.
• To reheat the tortillas, wrap each one in a separate paper towel or napkin and microwave on High until heated, about 5 seconds for each tortilla.

FRESH HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS!

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl. Mix well.
• Cut in the lard with one hand until incorporated. Thin flakes of lard are ok.
• Pour in the milk leaving back one or two Tablespoons. It will be pretty moist but should make a ball after 10 to 20 seconds of gentle mixing and very little kneading. Use the rest of the milk if necessary. Don't despair if the dough is a sticky tacky mess. Only If necessary, sprinkle in a a little more flour to turn it into a ball, working it as little as possible.
• Divide and roll the ball into six or seven balls. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let set 30 minutes.
• Heat a skillet over medium heat. Adjust the temperature as you work. I prefer a cast iron skillet.
• Roll out a tortilla using light flour as needed.
• Cook each tortilla on one side and then the other (there should be some brown spots) and place on a plate covering with a dish towel as you go. Each tortilla should be stacked on tot of the last and covered with the towel.
• The towel is very important for keeping the moisture in ensuring that your tortillas will be flexible to fill and fold when the time comes to fill them.
• Leftovers should be stored in a zipper locked bag when sufficiently cooled.

HOMEMADE FLAVORED TORTILLAS ( ROASTED RED PEPPER, SPINACH ETC)

Steps:

• Sift together flour and salt into a bowl.
• Work lard or shortening into the flour with your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
• In a blender or mini-food processer, blend water and ingredient of your choice together so there are no big chunks.
• Make a well in the flour and slowly stir in the liquid. Stopping when flour is moistened. Add more flour or water if needed.
• Knead lightly until smooth and form into a ball. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
• Divide dough into balls roughly smaller than a ping pong ball.
• On a lightly floured wooden surface, roll out each ball until very thin. Cut off rough edges if desired.
• Cook tortillas on a hot ungreased pan for a minute or two on each side.
• Keep warm in a bowl covered with foil or a damp towel.

HOMEMADE CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Cook 1/4 cup of batter on a skillet, 2 minutes on each side.

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS - 2 (OR 3) WW POINTS

Steps:

• Put the flour, shortening, baking powder, and salt in food processor. With the machine running, add the water through the feed tube; process just until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough into 6 pieces and shape each into a ball. Roll each ball out between sheets of plastic wrap into a 6-inch round.
• Set a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat and heat until a drop of water sizzles in it. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add a dough round and cook until speckled and slightly puffed, about 1 1/2 minute on each side. Transfer the tortilla to a plate lined with a clean kitchen towel; fold the towel over to keep the tortilla warm. Cook the remaining dough rounds to make a total of 6 tortillas, stacking them in the towel as they are cooked.
• To reheat the tortillas, wrap each one in a separate paper towel or napkin and microwave on High until heated, about 5 seconds for each tortilla.

HOMEMADE HONEY-WHOLE WHEAT TORTILLAS

Steps:

• 1. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt.
• 2. Cut in the coconut oil, OR stir in the olive oil(I do this in the food processor, but you can also do it by hand.)
• 3. Add the honey to the hot water and stir to combine. Gradually add this to the flour while the food processor is running(or by hand). Process, or stir until combined and knead a few times. If dough is too wet, add a little more flour. You want a nice dough that comes together in a ball but is still soft.
• 4. Cover the dough and let it rest for 10-15 min. Divide dough into 16 pieces and roll in balls. Roll out fairly thin into 6 in. rounds.
• 5. In a small skillet or on a griddle that has been heated to medium heat, cook the tortillas for 30 seconds to a minute, until you start to see the surface bubbling up. Flip it and cook the other side. Keep warm in a towel while you finish all of the tortillas. (I use a flat griddle and cook 2 or 3 at a time.)

HOMEMADE PECAN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, place all purpose flour, salt, and toasted pecans. Slowly start whipping together, adding the warm water slowly until it makes a smooth dough. The dough should be smooth and lightly sticky.
• Let rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Make into 2 ounce portions when ready to roll out tortillas. Make sure to flour the surface to avoid the tortillas sticking. Place the ball of the dough on the floured surface and roll into 6 inch round tortillas.
• Cook tortillas on a hot griddle 1/2 minute on each side.

HOMEMADE CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• 1. Combine the masa mix and warm water in a medium bowl, mixing until a soft dough forms. You can use a wooden spoon for mixing, but you will have better results if you use your hands. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until it is smooth.
• If the dough seems dry, add more water, a tablespoon at a time, as necessary.
• 2. To form the tortillas, one at a time, pinch off small handfuls (about 3 tablespoons) of the dough and roll each one between the palms of your hands into a ball. Cover the dough balls with a damp cloth as you form them, to keep them from drying out.
• 3. Cut a quart-size resealable plastic bag open down both sides, to form a rectangle. Use the bag to line a tortilla press as you shape the tortillas, so they do not stick: Lay one side of the plastic over the bottom of the press, place a ball of dough in the center, and fold the other side of the plastic over the dough. Shut the top of the tortilla press firmly down on the dough to shape the tortilla. (See Note.)
• 4. Heat a griddle until hot. Place a tortilla on the griddle and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Using a spatula, flip it over and continue to cook, flipping it occasionally, until both sides are covered with small brown spots. Transfer to a plate and cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm while you cook the remaining tortillas, stacking the finished tortillas on the plate. Serve immediately.

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Stir in the water and oil.
• Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead 5-6 times.
• Divide dough into 8 equal portions. On the floured surface roll each portion into a 7-inch disk.
• In a large non-stick skillet coated with cooking spray cook tortillas over medium heat for 1 minute on each side or until lightly browned. Keep warm while cooking the others.

HOMEMADE TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt using your hands or a pastry cutter and crumble or cut in the shortening until the mixture is crumbly. If it looks more powdery than crumbly add a tablespoon or more shortening until it is crumbly.
• Add just enough of the HOT water to make the ingredients look moist.
• Now, knead the mixture. Kneading anywhere you see any loose pieces or flour so you are sure to get everything. If it sticks to the anything add a some more flour. Play with the dough and the flour and shortening amounts until you have a dough that makes a soft round shape. You want your dough to be smooth and sort of elastic.
• Cover bowl with a towel and let it rest for about an hour.
• After it rests, cut or pinch off 10 to 12 balls. Add some flour to your rolling pin and workspace LIGHTLY. Roll each ball into about 1/8 inch thickness or press with a tortilla press that has plastic wrap covering any part that the dough will touch.
• Cook tortilla's one at a time on a medium hot cast iron skillet or griddle for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla gets brown specks. Black specks mean your pan is too hot. Reduce heat so the tortilla puffs and browns. It should puff up underneath if done right. Do not worry if it does not though. Practice will get you to that stage.
• NOTE: Here are some tips as to technique: Do not use bread flour. You want flour with a low gluten content. You don't want to over-flour your work surface, but you don't want your rolled-out tortilla sticking to it either. I found that the dough adhered less to an unvarnished wood surface (like an old cutting board) than any other surface I tried. A flat dough scraper, or "bench knife" is perfect for removing the rolled-out tortilla from the work surface. When rolling out tortillas, dust your rolling pin with flour, and don't be afraid to apply some pressure. Flour tortilla dough is pretty sturdy; but not to the point of rerolling. You don't want tough tortillas. Making perfect circles is harder than it sounds; the dough wants to draw up. So if perfectly circular shapes are important, you can trim away the excess with a sharp knife.