Homemade Flour Tortillas
Make homemade flour tortillas in under an hour! This flour tortilla recipe makes fluffy tortillas, perfect for burritos, fajitas, and tacos. The fresh taste and soft texture of homemade flour tortillas elevate any meal. Whether you’re hosting a fiesta or enjoying a cozy night in, these tortillas are the ideal addition to your table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You can whip up these homemade flour tortillas in just under an hour, making them a great choice for last-minute meals.
- Fluffy Texture: The combination of olive oil and warm water creates soft, fluffy tortillas that are delicious on their own or filled with your favorite ingredients.
- Versatile Uses: Perfect for burritos, tacos, wraps, or even as a side to soups and stews, these tortillas fit effortlessly into many dishes.
- Customizable: Feel free to try different oils or add herbs and spices to personalize your tortillas!
- No Special Equipment Required: All you need is a simple rolling pin and a skillet to get started.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into making these delightful homemade flour tortillas, gather your tools. Having everything ready will make the process smoother.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Skillet or griddle
- Parchment paper
- Kitchen towel
Importance of Each Tool
- Large mixing bowl: Provides ample space for mixing ingredients without spilling.
- Rolling pin: Ensures even thickness when rolling out the dough for perfectly shaped tortillas.
- Skillet or griddle: Allows for even cooking and browning of the tortillas, enhancing flavor.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon fine salt
– ¼ cup olive oil (avocado oil or room temperature unsalted butter is also great!)
– ¾ cup warm water
How to Make Homemade Flour Tortillas
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until all dry ingredients are well blended.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Add the olive oil and warm water. Mix with your hands until the dough starts coming together. Ensure all dry ingredients are incorporated fully.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough onto a well-floured surface. Knead for about 5 minutes until you achieve a super smooth and elastic texture.
Step 4: Divide the Dough
Divide the kneaded dough into 8 equal pieces for large burrito-size tortillas or 10 pieces for medium taco-size tortillas. Roll each piece into a ball.
Step 5: Let It Rest
Place the dough balls on a lightly floured baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Cover with a clean kitchen towel. Allow them to rest for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours on the counter.
Step 6: Roll Out Tortillas
On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into an 8 to 10-inch circle for large tortillas or a 6 to 8-inch circle for medium ones. Keep your working surface floured to prevent sticking.
Step 7: Cook Tortillas
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, place one tortilla on it. Cook for about 30-45 seconds until small bubbles form. Flip with hands or spatula; cook another 30-45 seconds until brown spots appear.
Step 8: Keep Them Warm
Transfer cooked tortillas to a tortilla warmer or place them in a plastic zip-top bag to keep warm and soft. Repeat this process with remaining dough.
Step 9: Serve or Store
Serve your fresh homemade flour tortillas immediately or store them in the refrigerator where they will stay good for about 5-7 days. Enjoy!
How to Serve Homemade Flour Tortillas
Homemade flour tortillas are incredibly versatile and can elevate a wide range of dishes. Here are some delicious ways to serve them that will impress your family and friends.
Burritos
- Fill your tortillas with beans, rice, cheese, and your choice of protein for a hearty meal.
Fajitas
- Sauté bell peppers and onions with chicken or steak, then wrap them up in warm tortillas for a tasty treat.
Tacos
- Use your favorite fillings, like seasoned ground beef or grilled veggies, and top with salsa and avocado.
Quesadillas
- Combine cheese and any leftover meats or veggies, fold the tortilla in half, and grill until crispy.
Breakfast Wraps
- Scramble eggs with cheese, spinach, and salsa for a quick breakfast that’s easy to eat on the go.

How to Perfect Homemade Flour Tortillas
Making perfect homemade flour tortillas is all about technique and practice. Here are some tips to ensure your tortillas turn out fluffy and delicious every time.
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Use warm water – Warm water helps activate the gluten in the flour, making the dough more elastic.
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Knead well – Kneading for at least 5 minutes develops the dough’s structure, resulting in soft tortillas.
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Rest the dough – Letting the dough rest allows it to relax, making it easier to roll out without springing back.
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Keep it floured – Lightly flour your working surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking while you roll out each tortilla.
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Cook on high heat – A hot skillet ensures that the tortillas cook quickly, creating those lovely brown spots without drying out.
Best Side Dishes for Homemade Flour Tortillas
Pairing side dishes with homemade flour tortillas can enhance your meal experience. Here are some great options to consider.
- Mexican Rice – Fluffy rice cooked with tomatoes and spices complements any tortilla dish perfectly.
- Refried Beans – Creamy refried beans make an excellent dip or filling alongside your tortillas.
- Guacamole – Fresh guacamole adds a rich flavor that pairs wonderfully with tacos or burritos.
- Salsa Verde – This tangy sauce brings brightness to your meal and works well as a topping or dip.
- Corn Elote – Grilled corn on the cob slathered in mayo and cheese offers a sweet crunch alongside savory tortillas.
- Chili con Carne – A hearty chili can be served as a side or used as a filling for burritos or tacos.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making homemade flour tortillas can be simple, but there are common mistakes that can affect the final product. Here are some pitfalls to avoid:
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Skipping the rest period: Not allowing the dough to rest can lead to tough tortillas. Resting relaxes the gluten, making them softer and easier to roll out.
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Using cold water: Cold water can make it harder for the fat to incorporate into the flour. Always use warm water for a better dough consistency.
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Over-kneading the dough: Kneading for too long can make your tortillas chewy instead of soft. Aim for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
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Insufficient flour when rolling: Failing to flour your surface and rolling pin properly can lead to sticking. Keep everything lightly floured to ensure easy rolling.
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Cooking at low heat: Cooking tortillas at low heat won’t give you those nice brown spots. Ensure your skillet is hot enough before adding the tortillas.

Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store homemade flour tortillas in an airtight container.
- They will last for about 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing Homemade Flour Tortillas
- To freeze, place parchment paper between each tortilla.
- Store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
Reheating Homemade Flour Tortillas
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap tortillas in foil and heat for about 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave: Place a damp paper towel over stacked tortillas and microwave for 30 seconds or until warm.
- Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium heat and warm each tortilla for about 20-30 seconds on each side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about homemade flour tortillas:
How do I make my homemade flour tortillas softer?
To achieve softer tortillas, ensure you use warm water when mixing the dough and allow it to rest adequately before rolling.
Can I substitute other oils in this recipe?
Yes! You can use avocado oil or room temperature unsalted butter as alternatives to olive oil for different flavors.
How do I know when my skillet is hot enough?
A good test is to sprinkle a few drops of water onto the skillet; if they sizzle and evaporate quickly, it’s ready for cooking your tortillas.
What are some ways to use homemade flour tortillas?
Homemade flour tortillas are perfect for burritos, fajitas, tacos, or even as wraps for sandwiches—get creative with your fillings!
Can I add flavorings to my dough?
Absolutely! Feel free to incorporate herbs or spices into your dough for added flavor, such as garlic powder or chili powder.
Final Thoughts
Homemade flour tortillas are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. Perfect for various dishes, they bring joy and warmth to any meal. Don’t hesitate to customize them with different herbs or spices based on your taste preferences!

Homemade Flour Tortillas
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 8 large or 10 medium tortillas 1x
Description
Homemade flour tortillas are a game-changer in the kitchen! With just a few simple ingredients, you can create soft, fluffy tortillas that elevate any meal. Perfect for wrapping your favorite fillings in burritos, fajitas, and tacos, these tortillas come together in under an hour. The fresh taste and delightful texture will impress family and friends at any gathering. Whether you’re preparing a casual dinner or hosting a festive fiesta, these easy homemade flour tortillas are the perfect addition to your table.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ cup olive oil (or avocado oil/butter)
- ¾ cup warm water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add olive oil and warm water; mix with hands until dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth.
- Divide dough into 8 (large) or 10 (medium) balls and let rest covered for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll each ball into an 8 to 10-inch circle (or 6 to 8 inches for smaller tortillas).
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook each tortilla for about 30-45 seconds on each side until browned.
- Keep cooked tortillas warm in a tortilla warmer or bag until serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tortilla (about 50g)
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg