Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (2024)

It takes just three ingredients to make this super easy recipe for tortillas or unleavened bread. Whether you are wanting to celebrate Cinco De Mayo, Passover, or it’s simply Taco Tuesday in your household, this homemade flour tortilla recipe is for you.

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (1)

Jump to Recipe

This 3-ingredient recipe for tortillas is so quick, easy, and versatile. I bet you even have the three ingredients you need to make these soft flour tortillas at home right now! They are flour, salt, and olive oil (plus water, but we’re not counting that). I can make a whole batch of these, start to finish, in about 10 minutes. I have the dough ready to go into the skillet in under five (I timed myself today). Have I convinced you to give it a go?

If I need to do a little more convincing, let’s talk about their versatility for a moment. You can use this recipe for tortillas to make a quesadilla, wraps for lunch, or as a side to accompany any main meal. Make a batch for Cinco De Mayo and celebrate in style with other Mexican-inspired dishes, like Mexican chicken casserole,sweet potato and black bean tacos, and Chipotle copycat guacamole.

How about using this recipe for tortillas next Taco Tuesday? Top your flour tortilla with whatever shredded or ground meat you like, such as beef, chicken, turkey, or pork. Then add sour cream, cheese, salsa, a squeeze of lime juice, and your other favorite toppings and the whole neighborhood will want to come to celebrate Taco Tuesday at your house!

Unleavened Bread for Passover

If you don’t celebrate Passover you may or may not know that Passover is a one-day Biblical Feast and it is immediately followed by the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread. And did you know that these soft tortillas are considered unleavened bread? Well, they sure are.

During that week, not only do those celebrating Passover not eat anything with leavening agents in it, but they also make it a point to eat unleavened bread each day of the Feast, per instructions.

Two years ago I shared my soft unleavened bread recipe with you, which makes some tasty little soft pita chips. That’s a favorite on its own but I also use it to make cinnamon sugar breadsticks, cheesy bread, and even as a crust for our Passover Pizza!

Okay, you must be convinced to try this recipe for flour tortillas now, right? Let’s get cooking!

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (2)

Recipe Ingredients

  • All purpose flour
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Just a little oil. You can use vegetable oil or olive oil.

I don’t count the water as one of the three ingredients because most of us are blessed enough to have that flowing from the faucets right now.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (3)

Stir all ingredients together in a large bowl.

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (4)

Until a dough is formed.

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (5)

Lightly flour a surface and turn the dough out onto that.

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (6)

Knead dough just a few times until it is smooth-ish.

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (7)

Divide dough into eight parts and roll each part into a small ball.

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (8)

One at a time, roll each ball of dough out into a thin circle using a rolling pin, until they’re 6 or 7 inches in size.

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (9)

Spray a nonstick cast iron skillet with cooking spray and place it over medium heat.

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (10)

Cook each tortilla for about a minute on each side or until lightly browned, then remove and continue until all are done. Enjoy!

Storage

  • When stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these homemade flour tortillas will last up to two days. You can serve them cold or reheat them quickly in a skillet.
  • You can also store them in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer for up to 2 months. After thawing overnight in the fridge, follow the above reheating instructions.

Recipe Notes

  • Okay, let me tell you why I have the ingredients in this order. I put them in countdown order because it is easier to remember that way. 3 tablespoons oil, 2 cups flour, 1 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt. See? Easy to remember.
  • You can easily add extra flavor to your homemade flour tortillas with some herbs and spices. I recommend dried or fresh oregano, thyme, or coriander.
  • To make thicker wraps, add a teaspoon of baking powder to the dough when you add the other ingredients.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these tortillas gluten-free?

Yes, if you use almond flour, gluten-free oat flour, or gluten-free all-purpose flour instead, these will become gluten-free tortillas.

Can I make this recipe in advance?

Yes, you can make your tortilla dough ahead of time. Tightly wrap it in either plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight before following the rest of the instructions.

Here are more of my favorite Mexican-inspired dishes to enjoy:

Taco Soup (The World’s Easiest Supper)

Stuffed Zucchini Boats, Tex-Mex Style

Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa Tacos

Taco Tot Casserole

Chicken Fajitas in Crock Pot

Mexican Cornbread Recipe by Mama

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (11)

3-Ingredient Recipe for Tortillas

This super easy 3-ingredient recipe for tortillas also works as an unleavened bread recipe. Enjoy this recipe from Passover to Cinco de Mayo.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: tortilla

Servings: 8

Calories: 159kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons oil vegetable or olive
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients in a large bowl. Stir together with a spoon until a dough is formed.

    3 tablespoons oil, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough just a few times until smooth. Separate the dough into 8 sections and roll each section into a ball.

  • Using a rolling pin, roll each ball of dough out into a thin circle about 6-7 inches in diameter.

  • Lightly spray a medium nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place it over medium heat. Add tortillas, one at a time, and cook for about one minute on each side, or until lightly browned. Serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

Okay, let me tell you why I have the ingredients in this order. I put them in countdown order because it is easier to remember that way. 3 tablespoons oil, 2 cups flour, 1 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt. See? Easy to remember.

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcal

Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (12)

Easy Recipe For Tortillas (3 Ingredients Only) (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in original tortillas? ›

Enriched wheat flour, Water, Vegetable oil (canola or soybean), Sugar, Salt, Hydrogenated cottonseed oil, Corn starch, Potassium sorbate, Baking powder, Sodium propionate, Cellulose gum, Maltodextrin, Carrageenan, Fumaric acid.

What ingredients are classic tortillas made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour.
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder.
  • 2 teaspoons salt.
  • ¾ cup shortening or lard.
  • ¾ cup hot water.
Sep 1, 2022

How do I substitute flour for tortillas? ›

Some options include:
  1. Corn tortillas: These are made from ground corn and are a good alternative for those with a wheat allergy or gluten intolerance.
  2. Rice flour tortillas: These are made from rice flour and can be a good alternative for those with a wheat allergy or gluten intolerance.
Jan 11, 2023

How to make tortillas on the stove? ›

Directions
  1. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Stir in water and oil. ...
  2. Divide dough into 8 portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 7-in. ...
  3. In a greased cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook tortillas over medium heat until lightly browned, about 1 minute on each side. Serve warm.
Jan 22, 2024

What are the three types of tortillas? ›

Soft tortillas are the traditional base for Mexican fajitas or burritos—but, depending on the type of flour or cornmeal used, these thin round flatbreads can vary widely in calories, sodium, and more.

What do Mexicans put in their tortillas? ›

Tortillas have hundreds of uses in Mexican cuisine. They can be fried to make chips, which you can dip into salsa, guacamole or queso. They can be filled with meats, cheese and veggies to make tacos or stuffed with beans and rice to make a burrito.

What is a substitute for lard in tortillas? ›

Although traditionally made with lard, these tortillas are equally delicious using butter, shortening, or vegetable oil as the fat. If you choose to use oil, add it with the water in step 3. The resting period improves the texture of the dough by giving the flour time to absorb the water.

Do you need baking powder for tortillas? ›

Baking powder—this is an optional ingredient. Tortillas can be made without it. They are tender and just as delicious without. Neutral oil—Any neutral tasting oil such as vegetable, corn, canola, avocado or grapeseed oil.

What is a good substitute for tortillas? ›

Healthy tortilla alternatives to try
  • Lettuce Wraps. For a low-calorie alternative to tortillas, try lettuce wraps. ...
  • Bell Peppers. Bell peppers are another healthy alternative to flour tortilla wraps. ...
  • Homemade Almond Flour Flaxseed Wraps. ...
  • Recipe:

Are homemade flour tortillas worth it? ›

These Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas are so much better than anything from the store. Homemade tortillas are extra soft, doughy, and chewy. I like to add salted butter, for extra deliciousness. Fresh flour tortillas are so easy to make at home and pretty difficult to mess up.

Why do my homemade flour tortillas get hard? ›

What makes flour tortillas hard is not adding enough lard or oil and water and not kneading the dough for the required amount of time, and NOT allowing the dough to rest in a warm place at least 30 minutes before making flour tortillas.

How to make tortillas without a tortilla maker? ›

You only need a food processor, a rolling pin, and a cast iron skillet to make these tortillas at home. The process is straightforward: mix the dough, let it rest, roll it out, then cook the tortillas.

Why use hot water for tortillas? ›

Use hot water: Using hot water will melt the shortening which will cause the shortening to coat the flour and result in a tender and pliable tortilla.

How were traditional tortillas made? ›

Traditional Tortilla Preparation

Ancient Central Americans made tortillas with a process called nixtamalization. The corn kernels soak in a solution of lime and water. This process removes the kernels' skin, and then they are ground into a dough. The dough (masa) gets divided into golfball-sized portions.

What are the ingredients in ole flour tortillas? ›

Water, Resistant wheat starch, Resistant potato starch, Wheat protein, Cellulose, Whole wheat, Extra virgin olive oil, Allulose, Contain 2% or less of the following: Salt, Leavening (Sodium bicarbonate, Corn starch, Monocalcium phosphate), Preservatives (Calcium propionate, Sorbic acid), Ground flaxseed, Yeast, Dough ...

How are tortillas traditionally made? ›

A tortilla is made by curing maize in limewater in the nixtamalization process, which causes the skin of the corn kernels to peel off (the waste material is typically fed to poultry), then grinding and cooking it, kneading it into a dough called masa nixtamalera, pressing it flat into thin patties using a rolling pin ...

Do traditional tortillas have lard? ›

Lard is the traditional choice for making flour tortillas, and it is a healthier choice than you might think. Global News gives us the rundown on butter versus lard nutrition. It turns out lard has less of the bad and more of the good stuff: 5 grams of saturated fat, 5.7 grams of monounsaturated fat, and .

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5875

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.