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.

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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!

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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

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Stir all ingredients together in a large bowl.

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Until a dough is formed.

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

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

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

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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.

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

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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

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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.

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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!

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

FAQs

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 makes a good tortillas? ›

The best supermarket flour tortillas are soft but not limp, and chewy but not gummy. We want a tortilla that's confidently wheaty, with no distracting chemical flavors. It should be thin enough to see light through, just slightly stretchy when tugged, and flaky when pulled apart.

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 taste like restaurant? ›

10 Tips For Making Store-Bought Tortillas Taste Restaurant...
  1. Char them. ...
  2. Toast them in the oven. ...
  3. Fry them. ...
  4. Add water before warming. ...
  5. Steam them to keep them moist. ...
  6. Heat flour tortillas in butter. ...
  7. If you must use a microwave, wrap tortillas in plastic or a damp towel. ...
  8. Heat in large batches in the oven.
Jul 10, 2023

Do you have to use baking powder to make 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.

Is corn or flour better for tortillas? ›

When it comes to nutrition, corn tortillas have the advantage of being made from whole grains, with fewer calories, sodium, and carbs but more fiber than flour tortillas. They're also gluten-free. As for cooking and eating, some people complain that corn tortillas break easily.

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 are the three types of tortillas? ›

10 Different Types of Tortillas
  • Corn Tortilla. As I said before, other than flour, corn tortillas are the staple of Mexican cuisine. ...
  • Flour Tortilla. The other popular type of tortillas are flour tortillas. ...
  • Half and Half Tortilla. ...
  • Spanish Tortilla. ...
  • Blue Corn Tortilla. ...
  • Nopal Tortilla. ...
  • Beetroot Tortilla. ...
  • Hoja Santa Tortilla.

How do you keep homemade tortillas from falling apart? ›

How do you prevent corn tortillas from falling apart when you try to roll them up? You've got to heat the tortillas before you roll them up. You can give them a lite coating of oil and toss them into a hot sauté pan. Use no oil, if you prefer, or do it restaurant style and dip them into the deep fat fryer.

Why do my homemade flour tortillas fall apart? ›

Originally Answered: Why are my tortillas falling apart when I try to cook them? Your dough is too dry. Try adding more water or a little oil to the batter.

Why do my homemade tortillas fall apart? ›

Using cold water will make your tortillas crack. This is because it doesn't hydrate the masa harina like hot water does. Go easy on the water. You don't always need to add the full amount of water, so add it in little by little until the dough reaches the perfect consistency.

How do you make homemade tortillas taste better? ›

But here's the real secret to truly great tortillas — lard. Yes, lard. It's not only the most traditional fat to use for tortillas, but is also the most delicious. I think that it is important to choose a high-quality lard here; you really want to taste that hint of pork flavor.

Why do my tortillas smell like vinegar? ›

And tortillas should never smell sour, although many do. That's not a sign of spoilage, but an indication that they're treated with an acid that make them shelf-stable for longer.

Why do you dip tortillas in water? ›

You could set up a steamer, but much faster is to simply dip the tortilla in water and toss it straight on a hot surface. As the surface moisture evaporates, it steams the tortilla until it's soft all the way through. Meanwhile, the hot contact with the pan gives it some nice toasty browned spots.

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.

Do you grease the pan when making tortillas? ›

Stick with cast-iron, if you have it. Heat your pan over medium-high heat. There's no need to add any oil. Cook the tortilla until brown spots appear on the bottom, 1 to 2 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side.

Can you fry flour tortillas on the stove? ›

Set a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil for easy cleanup. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add about ½ inch vegetable oil and heat to 350 degrees. Add one tortilla to the skillet and cook until it is blistering but still soft, 10 to 15 seconds.

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