Description
Learn how to make easy, soft flour tortillas from scratch using simple pantry ingredients and a skillet. This step-by-step recipe guides you from mixing to cooking perfect homemade tortillas that are pliable and delicious, ideal for wraps, tacos, and more.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil, shortening, or lard
- 1 cup hot water (roughly 110°F)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder and mix briefly to combine evenly.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Mix: With the mixer running at medium speed, gradually add the oil and hot water. Mix for 1-2 minutes, pausing at least once to scrape the bowl sides. When the dough begins to form a ball, reduce mixer speed to low and continue mixing for 1-2 minutes until you achieve a smooth dough.
- Alternative Hand Mixing: In a large bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add oil and stir until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Pour in warm water and stir to combine, then knead briefly with floured hands until a craggy dough forms.
- Rest and Divide Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide into 16 equal portions. Shape each into a ball and flatten slightly with your palm. Cover these with a clean kitchen towel and rest for 15 minutes up to an hour to relax the gluten.
- Preheat Skillet: Warm a large cast-iron or heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat, preparing it for cooking.
- Roll Tortillas: Lightly flour your surface and rolling pin. Roll each ball into a roughly 6-inch diameter circle. Avoid stacking rolled tortillas directly on each other to prevent sticking; parchment paper can be used as a separator.
- Cook Tortillas: Place each tortilla in the hot, dry skillet one at a time. Cook for about 1 minute until small bubbles appear on top and the bottom shows brown spots. Adjust heat as necessary for golden brown spots within about 1 minute. Flip and cook the other side for 30-45 seconds.
- Keep Warm and Serve: Remove cooked tortilla and stack loosely wrapped in a clean kitchen towel to stay soft and warm. Continue cooking remaining tortillas. Serve immediately or cool for later use.
Notes
- Resting the dough is essential for easy rolling and soft tortillas.
- Use a cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution.
- Do not stack freshly rolled tortillas as they stick together; use parchment paper if necessary.
- Adjust skillet heat to prevent burning or undercooking.
- Vegetable oil, shortening, or lard can be used for different flavor and texture variations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: flour tortillas, homemade tortillas, easy tortilla recipe, Mexican bread, skillet tortillas, soft tortillas
