Light Flour Tortillas Recipes

OUR FAVORITE SOFT FLOUR TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Add the salt to the warm water and stir together until the salt has dissolved.
• 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.
• When the dough comes together, transfer to a floured work surface and knead until smooth, two to three minutes. Cover with a clean dish cloth and leave for at least 15 minutes and up to an hour or two. Resting the dough makes rolling it out easier.
• Divide the dough into ten equally sized blobs and then shape into small disks. Use a rolling pin to roll each small disc into 8-inch rounds or use a tortilla press. The thinner the better, here. If you happen to 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.)
• 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 while it cooks, roll the next tortilla out.
• Make ahead: Divide the dough into smaller balls (this recipe makes ten 8-inch tortillas), wrap them very well, and then place into the refrigerator up to three days. About thirty to forty minutes before you are ready to cook the tortillas, take the balls out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature before rolling them out.
• 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 forming.
• When the bottom of the tortilla has some brown spots, flip it and cook until the second side is browned in spots 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 starts to smoke or brown the tortillas too quickly, turn the heat down a bit.
• Transfer the cooked tortilla to a dish towel and cover it then continue with the remaining tortillas, adjusting the heat as needed.
• Store leftover tortillas in a resealable plastic bag for a day or two or freeze if needing to store longer. Fresh homemade flour tortillas are in their softest state when warm so if you have room temperature or cold tortillas, we recommend reheating them in a skillet until they are warm and pliable again.

LIGHT FLOUR TORTILLAS

Steps:

• If using bowl and hands: Mix dry ingredients together. Instead of cumin, feel free to substitute garlic salt, curry powder, or any other seasoning you like.
• If desired, add finely chopped cilantro, the zest of a whole lime, and the juices of a whole lime.
• Add remaining ingredients. If too dry, add more water by the teaspoon. Knead until not too stiff. The dough should have the consistency of fresh Play-Doh. NOTE: if making a combination all purpose flour and corn flour tortilla, you'll need as much as double the water to get the right consistency.
• Wrap dough ball in saran wrap and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• Separate dough into 6 pieces and form into balls. Cover in saran wrap and let stand for another ten minutes.
• Roll out each ball into a ten inch round. If you have a tortilla press, dust liberally with flour to prevent sticking. Use a rolling pin to flatten even more if the press doesn't get it flat enough. Stack on plate and cover with a tea towel so they don't dry out.
• If using a stove top, using a large griddle, preheat on range element to medium high / high. If using an electric griddle, do the same. Do not grease.
• Place dough round on griddle, flipping after about 30 seconds. Tortillas are cooked when they are slightly golden in color on both sides.
• Use immediately, adding salt as desired before serving. Store in refrigerator in Ziplock bag for up to five days or freeze for future use.
• To use out of fridge or after defrosted: Heat, one by one, in griddle until pliable, or place one on plate, put filling in middle, and place in microwave, on high, for 15 to 20 seconds.

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a mixing bowl. Mix in the lard with your fingers until the flour resembles cornmeal. Add the water and mix until the dough comes together; place on a lightly floured surface and knead a few minutes until smooth and elastic. Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
• Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Use a well-floured rolling pin to roll a dough ball into a thin, round tortilla. Place into the hot skillet, and cook until bubbly and golden; flip and continue cooking until golden on the other side. Place the cooked tortilla in a tortilla warmer; continue rolling and cooking the remaining dough.