Homemade Flour Tortillas - freshly baked bread

Homemade Flour Tortillas

Flatbreads

Soft, pliable flour tortillas that puff up on a hot skillet. Just 4 ingredients and 30 minutes.

Prep Time

10 min

Proof Time

15 min

Bake Time

15 min

Servings

8

Calories

150

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp instant yeast
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar

Instructions

  1. 1

    Mix

    Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add water and oil. Mix until a dough forms.

  2. 2

    Knead & Rest

    Knead 5 minutes until smooth. Cover and rest 30–60 minutes.

  3. 3

    Shape

    Divide into portions. Roll each into thin rounds on a floured surface.

  4. 4

    Cook

    Cook on a hot skillet or baking surface until puffed and charred in spots.

Baker's Notes

A screaming-hot cooking surface is the single most important factor in flatbread baking. Get your skillet or stone as hot as it will go.

Baker Thomas Moreau

About This Recipe

There's something almost magical about watching a flour tortilla puff up on a hot skillet — that yeasty little balloon that springs to life right before your eyes. These homemade tortillas are pillowy soft, with a faintly tangy sweetness from the yeast and a hint of olive oil richness that makes them infinitely better than anything from the grocery aisle. They're the kind of bread that makes you want to eat them plain, torn into strips with a little salsa.

Canadian home cooks have been turning to homemade tortillas for years now, and for good reason: four pantry staples, thirty minutes, and a hot skillet are all you need. Whether you're building breakfast tacos with scrambled eggs and sharp cheddar or wrapping up dinner in chicken tinga, these tortillas hold their own against the best tortillerias in town.

Tips for the Best Homemade Flour Tortillas

A screaming-hot skillet is non-negotiable — preheat it over medium-high heat for at least two minutes before the first tortilla hits the surface. Let the dough rest the full 30 to 60 minutes so the gluten relaxes and rolling becomes effortless. Stack cooked tortillas immediately under a clean kitchen towel to trap steam and keep them pliable.

What to Serve With It

These tortillas shine alongside classic Mexican dishes like carne asada, refried beans, or a simple black bean and corn salad. For a Canadian twist, try them with smoked salmon and crème fraîche, or fill them with braised beef brisket and pickled onions. A glass of dry Riesling or a crisp local lager from Ontario or B.C. pairs beautifully with the mild, yeasty flavour.

Storage & Reheating

Homemade flour tortillas are at their absolute best the day they're made, but they'll keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 15 to 20 seconds per side, or wrap a stack in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds. They'll soften right back up.

Nutrition Facts

150

cal

8g

Protein

6g

Fat

41g

Carbs

3g

Fiber

292mg

Sodium

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip the yeast?+

You can, but the result will be more like a dense flatbread than a soft tortilla. The yeast gives these tortillas their characteristic pillowy texture and subtle tang that makes them worth the extra 15 minutes of proofing.

How do I get my tortillas to puff up?+

Heat matters most. Get your skillet or comal smoking hot before cooking, and don't flip too early. The tortilla needs sustained high heat to build steam inside, which is what creates that satisfying puff. A cast iron skillet works especially well.

What size should I roll each tortilla?+

Aim for about 7 to 8 centimetres in diameter — roughly the size of a hockey puck. That's the sweet spot for tacos and quesadillas. You can roll them thinner if you prefer a crispier texture.

Why does my dough feel sticky?+

Flour absorbs moisture differently depending on humidity, so your dough may need slightly more or less flour than the recipe states. Add flour one tablespoon at a time until the dough pulls away cleanly from the bowl but still feels soft to the touch.

Can I freeze these tortillas?+

Yes. Stack them with parchment paper between each one, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a skillet to restore their softness.

Tips & Tricks

  • A screaming-hot cooking surface is essential for the best results.
  • Stack cooked flatbreads under a towel to keep them warm and pliable.
  • Most flatbreads are best eaten the same day they're made.

Reviews (3)

Michael W.★★★★★

This recipe is a keeper. The Baker's Notes really helped me understand the technique. My new favourite bread to bake on weekends.

Sarah M.★★★★★

So glad I found this recipe. The instructions are clear and the result is consistently great. I've made it four times already and it's perfect every time.

David C.★★★★★

Bakery-quality bread at home. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out amazing. The proofing tips really helped.