The humble tortilla has stood the test of time, having first been served over 10,000 years ago. Original recipes used maize and were a very simple version of what we recognize as a tortilla today.
The tortilla has become a staple food around the world and its popularity continues to grow. Global consumption of this menu item is expected to expand to 12,324 million by 2028. It’s easy to understand why. One bite of these soft unleavened flat breads and you’ll be hooked. They’re perfect for filling with all your favorite ingredients and can be tailored to suit individual tastes. The tortilla is a convenient mid-week cooking option when you’re busy and need food fast.
If you'd like to learn how to make tortillas then keep reading. They're a surprisingly easy meal to make and kids love to make their own!
Table of Contents
How to make tortillas
The main ingredient is flour and there isn't a lot more you need to pull from the kitchen cupboard. It’s important to let the dough balls sit, covered, for 20 minutes before rolling them out. When it comes time to roll out the dough, you’ll want to press them very thin; much thinner than a pizza base.
Recipe
Easy Tortilla Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp olive or canola oil
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- Add the flour, baking powder and salt of a large bowl and mix until combined.
- Mix in the olive oil with your fingers until it looks like corn meal.
- Stir in the water until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until the texture is similar to elastic.
- Divide the dough into 12 pieces and form balls. Allow to rest for 20 minutes.
- Use a floured rolling pin to create your first flat tortilla and add it to a heated skillet with a knob of butter added.
- Cook until golden brown then remove and continue cooking the remainder of the tortillas.
Tip: Using a cast iron pan is recommended. Check out our in-depth cookware review which looks at the pros and cons of each type of cookware including cast iron, enamel, and non-stick.
To stop the tortillas from quickly going stale, wrap them in foil and place them in the oven on very low heat.
Once you've made the tortillas you can fill them with whatever you like. Some of the common fillings include:
- chicken or beef
- lettuce
- avocado
- tomato
- red onions
- nopale pads
- cucumber
- salsa
Here's a video to help you make tortillas
Storage FAQs
Tortillas can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. Place a sheet of parchment paper between each one to stop them from sticking together then add to a freezer bag and seal.
Tortillas will last for up to 2 weeks stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When frozen, they’ll keep for up to 6 months.
Tortillas can be kept on the counter or in the bread bin; however, storing them in the fridge will increase their life expectancy.
Summing up
Tortillas are ideal for dinner time because they’re quick to make and everyone can make their own. The usual cook gets the night off! They also make the perfect lunch for work, school, or at home.
It's easy to buy a bag of tortillas from the supermarket, but once you try the homemade version you'll never buy them again. The flavor and freshness simply don't compare! When it comes time to eat the leftovers, remember to slightly heat the tortillas in a microwave to soften them up before adding the fillings.
Vamos a comer! Let's eat ;)
Leave a Reply