flour tortilla recipe olive oil

Flour Tortilla Recipe

Homemade flour tortillas are a versatile kitchen staple, turning a few simple ingredients into soft, pliable flatbreads perfect for wraps, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more. They have superior texture and flavor compared to store-bought versions, offering a slightly chewy bite, warmth, and flexibility that make them ideal for folding and filling. This recipe is easy to follow and adaptable for weeknight meals or authentic tortillas inspired by traditional methods.

The core ingredients are flour, fat, salt, and water. Fat such as oil, butter, lard, or shortening keeps the tortillas tender, while warm water helps form a smooth dough. Once you master this method, you can easily create whole wheat, gluten-free, or alternative flour tortillas.

flour tortilla recipe with crisco
flour tortilla recipe with crisco

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ⅔ cup very warm water
  • 5 tablespoons oil, melted butter, melted lard, or shortening

Directions

  • Dissolve the salt in the warm water to ensure even distribution.
  • In a large bowl, combine the flour with the fat until the mixture is slightly crumbly.
  • Pour in most of the warm salted water and mix until a soft dough forms, adding a little more water if needed.
  • Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 2–3 minutes until smooth.
  • Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rest for at least 15 minutes to relax the gluten, making it easier to roll.
  • Divide the dough into equal portions and shape each into a small ball.
  • Roll each ball into a thin circle about 8 inches in diameter; thinner dough yields softer, more flexible tortillas.
  • Heat a heavy skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Place a tortilla in the hot pan and cook until bubbles form and brown spots appear, about 20–30 seconds.
  • Flip and cook the second side until lightly browned. Remove and keep wrapped in a clean towel to maintain softness while cooking the remaining tortillas.
flour tortilla recipe
flour tortilla recipe

Preparation Details

  • Preparation Time: ~30 minutes (including dough resting)
  • Cooking Time: ~10 minutes
  • Total Time: ~40 minutes
  • Yield: ~10 medium-sized tortillas
  • Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
  • Equipment: Mixing bowl, rolling pin, heavy skillet

Tips for Soft Tortillas

  • Warm water helps hydrate the flour for smoother dough.
  • Roll tortillas thin for slight puffing and a tender texture.
  • Keep cooked tortillas wrapped in a towel to trap steam and prevent drying.
  • Adjust heat: cooking too slowly dries tortillas, too hot burns them.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Replace oil with melted butter for richer flavor or lard for a traditional, soft tortilla.
  • Olive oil works for a lighter version.
  • Whole wheat flour adds a nuttier taste; slightly more water may be needed.
  • Gluten-free options can use cassava flour or gluten-free blends; texture may vary.
  • For extra puff, some recipes add a small amount of baking powder, but it’s optional.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm from the skillet for best results. Tortillas pair perfectly with fajitas, enchiladas, breakfast wraps, grilled meats, or vegetable fillings. They can also be stored in the fridge for a few days or frozen for longer, then reheated quickly in a skillet.