Discover a simple and delicious homemade soft flour tortilla recipe.
With just plain flour, butter, salt, baking powder, and water, you can create these irresistibly soft and buttery tortillas.
They serve as a perfect foundation for various dishes, and once you try making them at home, you might never go back to store-bought ones.
Soft flour tortillas made with butter are a delightful addition to any meal. What sets these apart is their simplicity and versatility.
These tortillas are yeast-free, making them quick and easy to whip up in your kitchen. The magic ingredient here is butter, which not only adds a rich and savory flavor but also gives the tortillas a soft and tender texture.
The best part? They are budget-friendly, allowing you to enjoy homemade goodness without breaking the bank.
Use them as soft shell tacos, wrapping around your favorite fillings with ease. Whether it is grilled chicken, sautéed veggies, or a mix of both, these tortillas cradle the goodness perfectly.
The versatility extends to wraps, where you can encase a medley of flavors for a quick and satisfying lunch.
So, if you are looking for a simple, yeast-free, and affordable way to enhance your meals, try making these soft flour tortillas with butter – a homemade touch that adds comfort and flavor to every bite.
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Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $2.50 or $0.14 a tortilla
About Our Soft Flour Tortilla Recipe
Discover the ultimate homemade flour tortillas – incredibly soft, tender, and delightfully pliable, perfect for wrapping or folding with ease.
Prepare in Advance - Cook these tortillas ahead of time and conveniently store them in the fridge or freezer. When it is time to serve, simply warm them up in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Healthier Option - Say goodbye to preservatives! Homemade tortillas are a healthier choice compared to store-bought ones because they are completely preservative-free.
Easy Preparation - Whether you have a stand mixer with a dough hook or prefer the hands-on approach, making these tortillas is a breeze.
Ingredients In This Recipe
You can download a printable version of this recipe below. It lists all the ingredients you need and gives clear, step-by-step instructions to help you make it.
There are only five ingredients needed to make this soft flour tortilla recipe.
All-Purpose Flour (Plain Flour) - This is the main building block for our tortillas. It gives them the right texture so they are soft and pliable.
Salt - Just a little bit of salt makes our tortillas taste better. It brings out the flavors in the flour and everything else.
Baking Powder - This is like the magic ingredient that makes our tortillas fluffy and soft. It helps them rise and be nice and airy.
Butter makes our tortillas tasty and a bit rich. It also helps to keep them soft even after cooking them.
Warm Water - We use warm water to mix everything. It helps the dough stick together and makes our tortillas smooth and stretchy.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1 - In a big bowl, put the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 2 - Drop in the butter pieces. You can use butter that's cold or at room temperature.
Step 3 - Use your fingers to mix the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse breadcrumbs.
Step 4 - Add some warm water to the mixture. Don't pour all the water at once. Save some and only add if the dough seems dry.
Step 5 - Knead the dough, either with your hands or a stand mixer, until it becomes soft and smooth.
Step 6 - Divide the dough into 18 equal parts and shape them into little balls.
Step 7 - Let the dough balls rest under a damp paper towel for 20 minutes. This makes rolling them out easier and keeps them from drying.
Step 8 - Take one dough ball at a time and use your fingers to flatten it into a circle.
Step 9 – Roll the dough with a rolling pin until it's about 18-20 cm wide.
Steps 10 - Cook the tortillas in a cast iron or heavy pan over medium heat. They will puff up and get golden brown in about 2-3 minutes.
Tip: Press the tortilla with a spatula as it puffs up. Flip it when the bottom is light golden brown.
Step 11 - Transfer each cooked tortilla to a plate lined with a clean, dry tea towel. Cover them with another tea towel to keep them warm and soft.
Step 12 - Repeat the rolling and cooking for the rest of the dough.
Now you have got some delicious homemade soft flour tortillas ready to be enjoyed!
Recipe Tips
Flour Swap - Instead of plain (all-purpose) flour and baking powder, you can use self-rising flour as a quick alternative.
Water Temperature - If using a stand mixer, use hot water for a soft and pliable tortilla dough, and allow the dough to cool to a manageable temperature before shaping it into balls. For hand-kneading, opt for warm water to avoid burning yourself while kneading.
Weighing Dough - Make even-sized balls by weighing the dough. Usually, the dough for this recipe weighs around 1.2kg (2.6 pounds).
- For Tortillas, divide the dough into eighteen 66g (2.3 oz) pieces and roll into 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) circles.
- For soft shell tacos, divide into thirty-two 33g (1.1 oz) pieces and roll into 9-10 cm (3.5-4 inches) circles.
Dealing with Sticky Dough- If the dough sticks while rolling, use a lightly floured surface or dip the dough balls in flour, shaking off the excess before rolling.
Adjust Cooking Temperature - Keep an eye on the cooking temperature.
- For cast iron or heavy-based skillets, medium heat is good, but adjust as needed to prevent burning.
- If using a skillet with a thin base, cook on low to medium heat, adjusting as necessary to avoid burning. Adjusting the heat ensures your tortillas cook perfectly without scorching.
Storage
Our soft flour tortillas stay fresh when stored properly. Pop them in the fridge for a day or two, or freeze them for up to three months.
But here is the trick: they like to stick together when cold. To keep them separate and ready to use:
- Slip a piece of nonstick baking paper between each tortilla before stacking them in the fridge or freezer.
This way, they will be a breeze to separate when you are ready to enjoy them!
Reheating
Whether your tortillas are cold from the fridge or frozen, follow these simple steps to warm them up:
- Stovetop Method - Heat one tortilla at a time in a dry frying pan over low to medium heat until it regains its softness.
- Microwave Method - Heat one tortilla at a time for a few seconds until warm.
- Oven Method - Wrap tortillas in foil and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 5-10 minutes or until warm.
How To Use
This versatile soft flour tortilla recipe opens the door to a variety of delicious dishes:
- Soft Shell Tacos - Use leftovers like slow cooker pulled pork and pair with black bean and corn salsa for a tasty treat.
- Sandwich Wraps - Craft hot or cold sandwich wraps for a quick and satisfying meal.
- Quesadillas - Create sweet or savory quesadillas using these tortillas. Check out our blog post on Quesadilla Fillings for creative ideas.
- Burritos and Enchiladas - Roll up flavorful burritos, like this healthy breakfast burrito, or this vegan Greek wrap try your hand at enchiladas.
Troubleshooting
If your soft flour tortillas made with all-purpose flour and butter are not turning out as soft as you would like, it could be due to a few reasons:
- Kneading - Do not knead the dough too much; just enough to make it smooth.
- Resting - Let the dough rest for a while to make the tortillas softer.
- Rolling - Roll the tortillas evenly, not too thin or too thick.
- Cooking Temperature - Find the right heat level for cooking. Too high or too low can affect the texture.
- Cooking Time - Cook until you see small golden spots but the tortillas are still flexible.
- Moisture - If the dough seems dry when kneading, add a bit more liquid. This helps keep the tortillas soft.
- Flour Type - Try different brands or types of flour to see if it makes a difference.
- Butter - Make sure you are using the right amount of butter. Too much or too little can affect the texture.
Adjusting these things might help you get the softness you want. If you have a recipe, check it for any specific tips.
FAQ
Flour tortillas are pliable because the dough is made with enough moisture, allowing it to stretch easily without breaking during cooking.
Homemade flour tortillas may turn out hard if the dough is over-kneaded, not allowed to rest adequately, rolled too thin, cooked at too high a temperature, or cooked for too long, causing them to lose moisture and become less soft.
Adjusting these factors can help achieve a softer texture.
The usual and traditional flour for making tortillas is all-purpose flour. All-purpose flour makes tortillas that are both strong and soft because it has the right amount of protein.
But some people might use different flours based on where they live or what they like.
In certain recipes, you might see "tortilla flour" or "masa harina" mentioned.
Masa harina is made from corn treated with lime and is commonly used for corn tortillas.
If you're making regular wheat flour tortillas, all-purpose flour is a good pick. It works well in many recipes and is easy to find.
Thank you for reading! If you try this Soft Flour Tortilla Recipe, share your thoughts by leaving a comment and star rating below. Your feedback is appreciated!
Soft Flour Tortilla Recipe
Equipment
- Stand mixer with a dough hook (optional because the dough can be hand-kneaded)
- Kitchen scales
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Rolling pin
- Cast iron skillet or a heavy-based frying pan
- Egg flipper or turner for flipping the tortillas
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 700 grams (1.5 pounds / 5 and ⅝cup) plain flour (all-purpose)
- ½ level teaspoon salt
- 3 level teaspoons baking powder
- 128 grams (4.5 ounce) salted butter cut into cubes
- 1½ cups warm water + up to ¼ cup more if needed
- A little extra flour for dusting if needed
Instructions
Prepare The Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, blend the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add butter to the mix, using your hands to combine until the mixture reaches a crumbly consistency. Gradually incorporate hot water, stirring to form a slightly wet and sticky dough.Transfer the dough onto a clean work surface and knead for 10–15 minutes, ensuring it stops sticking to your hands. While kneading, incorporate any loose dough pieces back into the mixture. Continue until the dough becomes smooth and soft.(See notes below for instructions for making the dough in a stand mixer)
Divide and Shape
- Weigh and divide the dough into 18 even pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, place on a bench, cover with a damp paper towel, and let rest for 20 minutes. Work on one piece at a time, pressing it into a flat circle with your fingertips.Use a rolling pin to create an 18–20 cm circle. If the dough is sticky, lightly sprinkle with flour.
Cooking
- Dry fry the tortillas in a large, preferably cast-iron skillet. Experiment with the heat, keeping it low to medium-low for a few minutes on each side. Shake off excess flour before placing the tortillas in the pan.Clean the skillet of any dry flour between tortillas. As the dough cooks, air pockets will form, causing it to puff up. Look for golden brown patches on the underside, then flip and cook for another minute or two.Transfer to a flat plate lined with a clean tea towel, covering with another towel to keep the tortillas warm and soft.
Notes
- Self-rising flour can substitute plain flour and baking powder.
- Use hot water for a soft, pliable tortilla dough.
- Weigh the dough for consistent ball sizes.
- Adjust the cooking temperature to prevent burning.
Krystle says
This looks a lot easier than I anticipated! I'll have to give them a try the next time I make quesadillas!
recipepocket.com says
Yes, they are easy to make and taste so much better when you make them yourself!