Easy Soft Flour Tortillas

Easy Soft Flour Tortillas

1 10 (8-inch) tortillas
How to make flour tortillas that are soft, pliable, and perfect for folding or wrapping. Our recipe for the best homemade tortillas uses a few tricks. Dissolving the salt in the warm water helps season the dough. I especially recommend doing this if you are using coarser salt. Rolling the tortillas very thin and dialing in the heat of your pan guarantees bubbles, which create that perfect texture (our video shows just how large these bubbles can be).

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

    260g

  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2/3 cup very warm water

    160ml

  • 5 tablespoons light flavored oil

    melted shortening, melted lard or melted butter

Directions

  1. 1

    Add the salt to the warm water and stir together until the salt dissolves.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, use a fork to combine the flour with the oil (or other fat) until it looks crumbly. Pour in almost all of the salty water and stir until a shaggy dough forms. If the mixture seems dry, add a bit more of the water.

  3. 3

    When the dough comes together, transfer to a floured work surface and knead until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.

  4. 4

    Cover with a clean dishcloth and leave for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours. Resting the dough makes rolling it out easier.

  5. 5

    Divide the dough into ten equally sized blobs and shape them into small disks. Use a rolling pin to roll each small disk into 8-inch rounds. The thinner, the better. If you get 9-inch tortillas, don’t worry! We also don’t worry too much about making them perfectly round. (See our video to watch us do it.)

  6. 6

    Stack the rolled tortillas with a piece of parchment paper between them. Alternatively, you can roll and cook the tortillas at the same time. Roll one tortilla out, then roll the next tortilla out while it cooks.

  7. 7

    Heat a wide, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. When it’s hot, add the first tortilla. Within 20 to 30 seconds, you should start to see it puffing up with bubbles.

  8. 8

    When the bottom of the tortilla has some brown spots, flip it and cook until the second side is browned in places and the tortilla looks dry around the edges. Each tortilla will take 1 to 2 minutes to cook. If this is taking a long time, increase the heat. If the pan smokes or browns the tortillas too quickly, turn the heat down.

  9. 9

    Transfer the cooked tortilla to a dishcloth and cover it, then continue with the remaining tortillas, adjusting the heat as needed.

Easy Soft Flour Tortillas

Easy Soft Flour Tortillas

40 min1 10 (8-inch) tortillas

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About this Recipe

Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, incredibly soft flour tortilla, homemade and fresh from your kitchen. This easy recipe promises just that, delivering pliable tortillas perfect for any meal you're dreaming of, right from your own kitchen.

What sets these homemade tortillas apart are a couple of essential techniques designed for supreme texture and flavor. Dissolving the fine sea salt in very warm water ensures it's perfectly distributed throughout the dough, a crucial step for consistent seasoning, especially when using a coarser salt. Then, achieving that signature soft, wonderfully bubbly texture comes down to rolling the dough incredibly thin and dialing in just the right heat on your pan during cooking—a method that guarantees those impressive pockets of air.

You'll be rewarded with tortillas that are wonderfully tender and soft, boasting a subtle chew and just the right amount of elasticity. The natural flavor of the flour shines through, making them a versatile base that beautifully complements any filling you choose. The magic happens on the hot pan as they puff up with large, airy bubbles, creating a light and pliable structure that truly elevates them beyond any store-bought version.

This recipe offers excellent flexibility when it comes to the fat component. You can achieve fantastic results using light flavored oil, melted shortening, melted lard, or even melted butter. Each option will lend a slightly different subtle nuance to the flavor and contribute to that coveted tender texture, allowing you to choose based on your preference or what you have readily available in your pantry.

These freshly made tortillas are ideal for wrapping up your favorite fillings, whether you're making tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or simply serving them warm alongside a hearty stew. They're perfect for any occasion where you desire a truly soft and inviting homemade bread.

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