Easy Flour Tortillas From Scratch

Learn how to make easy flour tortillas from scratch with this simple recipe! Perfect for tacos, burritos, and wraps, these homemade tortillas are soft, pliable, and delicious. Made with just a few basic ingredients like all-purpose flour, salt, and oil, this recipe is ideal for beginners and takes less than an hour to prepare. Whether you use a stand mixer or mix by hand, you’ll enjoy the fresh taste of these tortillas, which can be stored for days or frozen for later use. Elevate your meals with homemade tortillas that are healthier and tastier than store-bought options!

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil, shortening, or lard
• 1 cup hot water

Instructions

Using a Stand Mixer

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix briefly to combine.
2. With the mixer running at medium speed, gradually add the oil and hot water. Mix for 1–2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Once the dough starts to form a ball, reduce the speed to low and continue mixing for an additional 1–2 minutes until the dough is smooth.

Mixing by Hand

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder until well combined. Add the vegetable oil and stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Pour in the hot water and stir to combine. Knead the dough briefly with well-floured hands until it comes together into a rough ball.

For Both Methods

1. Transfer the dough to a well-floured work surface and divide it into 16 roughly equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and flatten it slightly with your palm.
2. Cover the flattened balls with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour.

Cooking the Tortillas

1. Preheat a large cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Keeping the work surface and rolling pin lightly floured, roll each dough ball into a circle approximately 6 inches in diameter. Avoid stacking rolled tortillas to prevent sticking; if needed, use lightly floured parchment paper for extra staging space.
3. Carefully transfer each tortilla into the hot skillet. Cook for about 1 minute, or until small bubbles form on the top and golden brown spots appear on the bottom. If the tortillas take longer than a minute to brown, slightly increase the heat. If they brown too quickly, reduce the heat.
4. Flip the tortilla and cook the other side for about 30 seconds.

Serving and Storing

1. Remove the cooked tortillas from the skillet and stack them loosely wrapped in a clean kitchen towel to keep them soft and warm.
2. Serve immediately, or allow the tortillas to cool for later use. They can be stored in the refrigerator for 2–3 days in a plastic zip-top bag. To reheat, wrap in a slightly damp paper towel and microwave for 15–30 seconds.
3. For longer storage, freeze the tortillas for 2–3 months, separating them with sheets of parchment or wax paper before placing them in a zip-top freezer bag. Enjoy your homemade tortillas with your favorite fillings!