Craving authentic Mexican tortillas? Forget store-bought – nothing beats the taste and texture of homemade flour tortillas, fresh off the pan. This recipe is incredibly easy, even for beginners, and delivers soft, flavorful tortillas perfect for all your favorite Mexican dishes. With this guide, you’ll be making the best ever Mexican tortillas in your own kitchen, impressing family and friends with your culinary skills. Get ready to elevate your taco nights, burrito bowls, and quesadillas to a whole new level!
What makes these tortillas so special? It’s the simplicity and the technique. This recipe uses just a few basic ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, and the method is straightforward, whether you choose to mix by hand or use a stand mixer. The result? Tender, pliable tortillas that puff up beautifully when cooked and have that irresistible homemade flavor. Don’t just take our word for it – this recipe has garnered rave reviews, with home cooks just like you praising its ease and deliciousness.
Stack of freshly made Mexican tortillas, showcasing their soft texture and light browning.
Why This Mexican Tortilla Recipe is a Must-Try
If you’ve tried making homemade tortillas before and been disappointed, this recipe is your answer. Many recipes can be tricky, resulting in tortillas that are too dry, tough, or simply lack flavor. This Mexican Tortilla Recipe is different. It’s designed to be foolproof, delivering consistently soft and delicious tortillas every time.
Here’s what makes this recipe stand out:
- Easy for Beginners: Clear, step-by-step instructions make this recipe accessible to anyone, regardless of their baking experience.
- Simple Ingredients: You only need flour, salt, baking powder, oil, and water – pantry staples you probably already have.
- Quick Dough Preparation: The dough comes together quickly, whether you mix it by hand or with a mixer.
- Delicious Flavor and Texture: These tortillas are soft, tender, and have a subtle, satisfying flavor that complements any filling.
- Versatile: Perfect for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, wraps, and even homemade pizza crusts!
Simple Ingredients for Authentic Mexican Tortillas
You won’t believe how such simple ingredients can create such amazing tortillas. Here’s what you’ll need for this Mexican tortilla recipe:
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of our tortillas, providing structure and chewiness.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavor and balances the other ingredients.
- Baking Powder: A key ingredient for achieving light and puffy tortillas.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or Vegetable Oil): Adds richness, tenderness, and helps create a soft texture. You can use other neutral oils as well.
- Warm Water: Brings the dough together and activates the gluten.
Step-by-Step Mexican Tortilla Recipe: From Dough to Deliciousness
This recipe provides instructions for both hand-mixing and using a stand mixer, making it convenient for everyone.
Yields: 16 tortillas
Prep time: 20 minutes
Resting time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, vegetable oil or other neutral oil
- 1 cup warm water
Equipment:
- Large bowl (or stand mixer bowl)
- Spatula or wooden spoon (or dough hook)
- Rolling pin
- Large skillet or griddle
- Clean kitchen towel
- Covered container or tortilla warmer (optional)
Instructions:
Making Tortilla Dough by Hand:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder until well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the oil and warm water.
- Mix the Dough: Using a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon, stir from the bottom up, incorporating the dry ingredients into the wet. Mix until a shaggy ball of dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 1-2 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
Making Tortilla Dough with a Mixer:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Use the dough hook attachment to mix until combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: With the mixer running on medium speed, add the oil and warm water. Mix for about 1 minute, or until the dough comes together and forms a ball.
- Knead the Dough: Reduce the mixer speed to low and continue to mix for 1 minute, or until the dough is smooth.
Forming and Resting the Dough (for both methods):
- Divide the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Divide it into 16 equal portions.
- Shape Dough Balls: Roll each portion into a ball and then flatten slightly with the palm of your hand.
- Rest the Dough: Cover the flattened dough balls with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This resting period is crucial as it allows the gluten to relax, making the tortillas easier to roll out.
Image showing the process of rolling out a homemade flour tortilla on a lightly floured surface.
Cooking the Tortillas:
- Heat the Pan: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. The pan should be dry, no oil needed.
- Roll Out Tortillas: While the pan heats, roll out each dough ball into a thin circle, about 6-7 inches in diameter. Keep your work surface and rolling pin lightly floured to prevent sticking. Avoid stacking uncooked tortillas directly on top of each other as they may stick. Use parchment paper to separate them if needed.
- Cook Each Tortilla: Once the pan is hot, place one tortilla in the dry pan. Cook for 45 seconds to 1 minute on the first side, until you see a few pale brown spots on the underside and bubbles start to form on the uncooked surface. Adjust the heat if the tortilla is browning too quickly or too slowly.
- Flip and Cook Briefly: Flip the tortilla and cook for another 15-20 seconds on the other side. The tortilla should be soft with a few small brown spots.
- Keep Tortillas Warm: Remove the cooked tortilla from the pan with tongs and immediately stack them in a covered container, tortilla warmer, or wrapped in a clean kitchen towel. Stacking and covering them creates steam, which keeps them soft and pliable.
Collage of images showing tortillas cooking in a pan and a stack of finished tortillas being served.
Serving and Storing:
- Serve your homemade Mexican tortillas warm and fresh.
- Store leftover tortillas in an airtight container or zippered bag at room temperature for up to 24 hours, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- To reheat refrigerated tortillas, wrap a few in a slightly damp paper towel and microwave for 10-20 seconds until warm and soft. You can also reheat them on a dry skillet or griddle.
- For longer storage, freeze tortillas separated by parchment paper in a zippered bag for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
Tips for Perfect Homemade Mexican Tortillas Every Time
Follow these simple tips to ensure your Mexican tortillas are the best they can be:
- Roll them Thin: Roll the tortillas fairly thin, about 6-inches in diameter, so they cook evenly and are tender. If you hold them up to the light, they should appear slightly translucent. Thick tortillas will be less tender.
- Rest the Dough Adequately: If the dough keeps shrinking back when you roll it, it needs more rest. Let it rest for another 15-30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax fully.
- Control the Heat: Adjust the heat while cooking to prevent burning or drying out the tortillas. Medium heat is generally ideal, but you may need to adjust it based on your stovetop and pan.
- Don’t Overcook: Cook the tortillas just until they have a few light brown spots and are bubbly. Overcooking will make them stiff.
- Steam Them for Softness: Stacking the tortillas immediately after cooking and keeping them covered is crucial. The steam trapped within the stack will make them wonderfully soft and pliable.
- Clean the Pan: If flour starts to accumulate and burn in the pan between tortillas, wipe it out with a damp paper towel to keep your tortillas clean and evenly cooked.
Delicious Ways to Use Your Homemade Mexican Tortillas
These versatile Mexican tortillas are perfect for so much more than just tacos! Here are some delicious serving suggestions:
- Classic Tacos and Burritos: Fill them with your favorite taco fillings like seasoned ground beef, chicken, carnitas, or vegetarian options. For burritos, load them up with rice, beans, cheese, and your choice of protein and toppings.
- Enchiladas and Quesadillas: Use them to make cheesy enchiladas smothered in sauce or quick and easy quesadillas for a snack or light meal.
- Homemade Pizza Crusts: Brush the tortillas with olive oil, top with pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings, and bake for a super thin and crispy pizza crust.
- Sandwich Wraps: Use them as wraps for sandwiches with deli meats, salads, or hummus and veggies.
- Sweet Treats: Spread them with butter and cinnamon sugar for a simple and satisfying sweet treat.
- Tortilla Chips: For crispy tortilla chips, brush both sides with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and bake until golden brown and crisp. Serve with salsa, guacamole, or your favorite dips.
Close-up of a stack of warm homemade Mexican tortillas on a traditional woven cloth.
Once you try this Mexican tortilla recipe, you’ll never go back to store-bought again. The flavor and texture of homemade tortillas are simply unmatched. Gather your ingredients, follow these easy steps, and get ready to enjoy the best Mexican tortillas you’ve ever tasted! Don’t forget to leave a rating and review below after you try the recipe – your feedback helps other home cooks!
