How to Make Homemade Flour Tortillas

Oh Yumm..Tortillas. We all love them. Even though tortillas are widely available in most supermarkets here in the U.S. the homemade variety offers alternative health benefits, as well as, superior taste. There is nothing that compares to the taste of a freshly cooked homemade flour tortilla.

Right now you may be thinking that making homemade tortillas is a time-consuming and messy undertaking and that you would rather watch paint dry. But, think again. With the proper mix of only four ingredients that you probably have sitting on your kitchen shelf, making tortillas can be very quick, easy and real treat for you and your family.

Trust me....once you have eaten one of  these homemade tortillas....you will NEVER buy the store bought tortillas  again!

Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas

In a medium size bowl mix together:
2 cups flour (white, wheat or a combination of each)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Add:
3/4 cup  water
3 Tablespoons olive oil

Mix all ingredients well forming a soft ball. Continue incorporating ingredients by kneading the dough on a lightly floured surface for a couple of minutes, adding small amounts of flour if needed to achieve a smooth non-sticky dough.

Place dough back into the bowl and cover with a small towel. Let rest for at least 10 minutes. You can let it rest longer if you like or while you are getting your fillings prepared.

After the resting period is complete, Cut dough into 8 equal portions. Roll each into a ball.

Using a rolling pin( marble pin is easiest) roll each portion into a 7-12 inch circle on a lightly floured surface.

Flour each rolled out tortilla so that they do not stick together when stacked before cooking.

To cook your tortillas, preheat either a heated cast iron tortilla/pancake griddle or an electric grill.  I find the electric grill that has a heating element in both the top and bottom works best, is much easier, less messy and takes less time. If you are using an electric grill simply place the tortilla on the heated grill then close the lid and let each tortilla cook for a couple of minutes checking periodically to see when the tortilla is completely cooked but not overcooked. They will appear slightly browned as shown in the photo below:

The tortilla will start to bubble when it is close to being cooked. If you are using a cast iron griddle on the stove top, you will need to regulate the heat to cook the tortilla yet not burn it and you will need to turn it over once you see large bubbles raising in the tortilla.

Remove your tortilla from the griddle with a cooking tong, then place inside a container that will keep them warm until you are ready to use.  Repeat this cooking process with all of the tortillas until all are cooked.

I recommend having your fillings and topping ready before you start to cook the tortillas so that you can fill them as soon as possible when they are done cooking.

***Tip: You may also store the tortillas in your freezer for later use. Just place the rolled tortilla balls(before rolling out with the pin) into a freezer container and place in your freezer for up to two weeks. When ready to use, simply take out the tortillas to thaw, which takes about 30-60 minutes at room temperature. Roll out each with a rolling pin as directed above, cook, and fill.

Enjoy! Your family will LOVE these!