How to Make Homemade Soaked Flour Tortillas
I have tried, many times, to find some store bought tortillas that are at least “OK”. Time and again I’ve stood in the aisle at the store thinking, “There have to be some that aren’t that bad”, but each time I look and look and realize it can’t be done. If they taste good, then they’re full of crappy preservatives. If they don’t have crappy preservatives, then they taste blah. When I do finally come to this conclusion and then see people walking up to nonchalantly grab a package off the shelf, I just can’t help blurting something out… (“Those have trans fats!”) Yes, I get funny looks, but I’m used to it.
Update!: The recipe below isn't tricky at all, but I HAVE finally found some pretty good tortillas that you can find here in a pinch and we use these quite often now!
ALSO: Be sure to see this post with all the FAST FOOD ideas you can make using these homemade soaked flour tortillas, they’re super kid-friendly, too!
Homemade Soaked Flour Tortillas
Ingredients
- 4 cups organic spelt flour or my favorite einkorn flour, or as mentioned above, just use all organic unbleached white flour
- 1 1/2 cup warm filtered water
- 1/2 cup whey optional if you're starting the night before (if not use another 1/2 cup of water)
- 4 cups more einkorn flour or any organic unbleached white flour
- 4 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 cup soft butter or some say they get the best results and using lard, from pastured pigs of course, or refined coconut oil – refined because I didn’t think a coconut flavor in these would be good -- these fats are a little easier when it's time to roll them out.
Instructions
- Mix the first 3 ingredients well (I use my Bosch so it's hands-free and I can do other stuff at the same time, I'm all about multi-tasking!), cover, and let set over night, at least 7 hours, but I left mine for 24 hours just because I was busy. The next day, add the last 3 ingredients.
- Knead or mix very well. At this point if you don’t have time to roll them out, you can cover and let it sit in a greased bowl in the fridge until you do have time. Mine sat for a couple more days before I got to it and the dough was still fine. I just had to grab a ball into my hands to warm it and play with it a bit before it was ready to roll.
- Divide into 20 balls.
- Rolling tip: Use a heavy rolling pin and a floured counter top. This makes it MUCH easier to roll them out thin, and getting them thin enough is key to making them “real” looking and tasting for picky kids.
- Fry on an UNgreased pan on medium-high heat for about 30 seconds on each side until the bubbles start to brown a little. (I use my favorite electric stainless steel frying pan.)
- Let cool on the counter or on a wire rack before storing.
- This big batch makes about 20 homemade soaked flour tortillas. (I like extra to keep in the fridge or freezer between pieces of wax or parchment paper or paper towels.) You can easily halve this recipe if you don’t think you’d go through so many.
- LAST-MINUTE variation: For those of you who are like me and often don't think ahead enough to get my dough soaking the night before: instead of using whey, use more water instead and just use all unbleached white flour for a lighter taste that most people prefer. Mix everything together and roll out as directed above.
Next time I might try soaking in all yogurt overnight (and omit the water), then adding a bit of palm or coconut sugar, a little more salt, and I’ll try to roll them out a little more thick to see if I can make them taste like Olga bread. (Not that I go much, once a year maybe? Their food isn’t great to say the least, but that bread…yummmm.) UPDATE: I made some yummy pita bread that tastes like Olga bread Snackers! Also at that post I tell you about the tortilla press that I bought and what I thought of it. And here's my 3-cheese Olga copycat recipe. 🙂
- Find more fast food meal ideas here
- And here are the fast food ideas specifically using these homemade soaked flour tortillas!
- These grass-fed steak fajitas are a family favorite
Meal Planning Help!
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Allen Cooke says
Kelly, I make the world’s most delicious burritos and they deserve good tortillas. I’ve been trying to make sourdough tortillas and am now on my third attempt to make a good starter. I get tortillas from Trader Joe’s. They aren’t organic, but don’t have a lot of bad stuff. I got some lard at the local farmers market from pastured pigs. I will try your recipe, looking forward to success!
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Allen Cooke — I buy some there too when I need them in a pinch.
Cindy Morrow says
Kelly, I’ve used basically your recipe which I adapted from Pioneer Woman’s. She uses LARD instead of butter-which you know allllll about-they are delish! I concur with using a heavy rolling pin vs the tortilla press-I was underwhelmed by one I borrowed to try out. These are definitely worth the bit of time it takes-even 5 y/o (grand)kids can help flip them in the skillet!
Kelly says
Yum, I’ll have to try them with lard, thanks Cindy!
Kel
Elin Duke Potter says
Kelly! This is genius happening! I *have* to follow AIP and, in another life, ate at Taco Bell as aften as possible. You have just made my life so much better with this recipe. Thanks from the bottom of my stomach!
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Ha! You’re so welcome, Elin Duke Potter!
Richie Venhuizen via Facebook says
We do quesadillas every week for dinner. I hate buying store bought tortillas and will sometimes buy chips to make nachos instead (fewer bad ingredients). I made these today!! Easy and delicious! LOVED THEM! KIDS LOVED THEM! Will plan on making these weekly! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recipes!
Cherilynne says
some one may have said this all ready, but letting the dough sit overnight or longer is the best thing you can do for a really good dough. I know this from years of bread baking and pasta making. The longer the dough sits to “condition” the better the result can be. There is a point where it is too long, but that really takes an effort (or lack of one) to get to. Infact many “Artisian” recipes will tell you that it takes 2 days or longer to make a good loaf of bread. Tortillas are after all a form of bread. It used to be natural for the dough to be made up and sit to be picked at when needed and added to as needed. 3hours of reading and still going……
The Nourishing Road says
You have inspired me to try these today. They were amazing. I used some doug that had been soaking in yogurt for another recipe, but it worked fine 🙂
Made some cracking Fajitas!!
Thanks so much, Natasha http://www.thenourishingroad.co.uk
Sheri says
Kelly,
Did you ever decide on/purchase a tortilla press? I am interested in buying one but unsure of a reliable brand. Thanks!
KitchenKop says
Hi Sheri,
I wrote about the tortilla press I bought at this post: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2011/05/spicy-pita-snackers-like-olgas-without-the-msg-also-my-new-tortilla-press.html
(I wasn’t impressed, unfortunately…)
Kelly
Rosebud says
OOH here’s a rolling tip I got from Alton Brown – Roll out your tortillas all at once and stack them with sheets of waxed paper, parchment or a damp tea towel or cheesecloth between each one, keeping them well covered so they don’t try out. Then you can fry them faster. Don’t use paper towels or they stick to the paper.
shannon says
Kelly, with rain planned here tomorrow, I’m planning to spend the day cooking and ready to try these. I just got my new tortilla press in today. I went with a plain, all wood one from Mexico. We’ll see.
Anyway, I don’t have any yogurt or whey right now. I’m guessing I could use a few tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice instead?
KitchenKop says
Yep, you can! 🙂
shannon says
Oh yum! These were excellent. I’ve made homemade tortillas before but used all WW and they were just very “wheaty”. I doubled your recipe, used buttermilk for the whey and used spelt, a little whole wheat (2 cups) and the 1/2 Naturally White Flour. These were actually melt-in-the-mouth good! I think it was the butter 🙂
And, boo for my press. It just doesn’t exert enough pressure though my husband thinks if he replaces the handle with a longer one it will work. I hope
Camille says
Hey Kelly,
Thanks so much for your posts. I’m new to your site here and am enjoying reading through it.
My family and I make corn tortillas the traditional mexican way. We use tortilla presses found at mexican markets. Though I’m sure the electric presses probably work great, I thought I’d throw my .02 cents in on what the hispanic women have shown me on manual tortilla presses. They say don’t ever buy based on brand (the authentic presses). They would never buy online and always go to a mexican store. To know a good press you take a small piece of dough and plastic (sandwich bag with 3 sides cut off so it opens and closes, works great) and while at the store put your plastic in the press and dough between the plastic sheets. This is normal at these stores, though you feel strange doing it. I think if you don’t, they know you’re gringo. 🙂 Test the one before you buy it because no matter the brand, they all flatten differently. In doing this you’ll see whether it’s flattening unevenly (too fat on one end). All the women I spoke with prefferred the aluminum metal verses the wooden etc., but personal preferace they felt these worked better to flatten evenly. While testing them you will see an obvious difference in even-ness between different ones.
Never put the food directly on it. Always use plastic or wax paper. If you forget and the dough touches it, throw it away.
A good authentic tortilla will puff up during the making process. If it doesn’t it’s considered a “dudd.”
Again, we are making corn tortillas, which are sooooo much better than store bought corn tortillas btw, as we aren’t real big on the americanized versions of flour. But they are all good when they are fresh. Fresh corn tortillas with a little butter spread, topped with queso fresco, chopped cilantro, chopped onion and homemade guacamole is just about unbeatable!
Best wishes to all you who are experimenting and thanks again for sharing your knowledge and info! Love your site Kelly!
Camille
Genet says
Wow this is great info Camille!!! I have a friend who purchased hers at a Mexican Market and i had noticed there isn’t even a brand name printed on it! I thought that was odd to our American way of thinking.
Have you ever tried flour or other grain tortillas? I am thinking they would all flatten differently anyway . . . .
Yum!
Camille says
Sorry Genet, I haven’t played much with different flours. Most Americans I know don’t really like corn tortillas, and at restaurants and store bought versions, I DON’T either. But homemade is so different and delicious that we stick to those. I have tried regular white flour, but only once after finding I didn’t like them as well. I’d love to hear different things you guys come up with though. 🙂
Genet says
Thanks Camille! We just don’t eat much corn at this house. I wonder if what I could get at a Mexican Market would be better and non GMO ?
Camille says
You know I’ve been wanting to find the same. I just found out that Bob’s Red Mill has Masa Harina, which is the stuff, but not organic. They told me on the phone that it’s non-GMO.
Maseca is the best brand you’d find in the mexican stores or just general stores, but from what I understand they still aren’t non GMO despite claiming they were going to be. But I’m going to try Bob’s and see how well it works.
Kelly @ The Nourishing Home says
Awesome info! Thanks so much for sharing. I was just thinking about getting a tortilla press, but wondering if they really get the dough even? Now I know what to do! 🙂 Blessings, Kelly @ The Nourishing Home
shannon says
Hi Kelly. I’ve tried Katie’s recipe and liked it but am always trying new recipes so would like to try yours too. Any particular reason you used spelt? I’ve got some but am just curious. Thanks!
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Hi Shannon,
The short answer is ‘just to switch up the types of grains we use’, the longer answer is here: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/10/gluten-allergy-or-wheat-sensitivity.html 🙂
Kelly
shannon says
Thanks! I’ll be making these soon
Anne says
The electric tortilla press that I use does have a nonstick surface…you wouldn’t use wax paper or parchment… wouldn’t need to. It is a nonstick surface, but only for a few seconds…. it’s sort of a trade off…..wish it could be cast iron… that would be great. Hope that info helps.
Anne says
sorry…are you asking what the tortilla press is made of? If you’re wondering what a press looks like, I suppose you can google it or something, but the easiest way for me to describe it is to say it’s like a small waffle iron (electric) without the waffle grid. When the lid is pressed on the small tortilla dough, the combination of heat and pressure form a perfect tortilla in just a few seconds. On March 3rd you asked if anyone had a brand of tortilla press that they would remcommend. That’s why I said Vitantonio….bet another brand would work great also. It’s just that combination of the high heat and the quick pressure that makes such a great difference! Lots of times I’m working at meal prep, and either my hubby or one of my teens will be pressing tortillas and keeping me company! Another reason to run out and buy one! Haha
KitchenKop says
Yes I was just wondering if it has an aluminum or non-stick surface or anything icky? Or is it just cast iron?
I googled and couldn’t figure it out, but this one looks good!
Thanks!
Kelly
Anne says
I have been making wheat flour tortillas for about 15 years, have recently made them using soaked flour, and had great results. I’m planning on trying some of the other grains that others have mentioned. I can tell you without hesitation that the Vitantonio brand tortilla press works like a charm! I wouldn’t trade it for anything! It’s one of my indispensible kitchen appliances!
KitchenKop says
Anne, what is it made of?
Thanks!
Kelly
Teresa says
I would be interested in knowing how to use the press. I have one and I just make a mess with the dough, it sticks and I can never get the consistency right? Does anyone have any suggestions that uses a press. I have been rolling it out.
Genet says
I have been thinking of getting a tortilla press for some time. I’d love to hear what brands you have
??? Also . . . . .do you go for the Electric tortilla press vrs the Manual??? I know my sister has a simple press she bought at the Mexican market, but it seems that it only makes the “white flour” version and heavier flours just don’t seem to work.
Anyway . . . my gang LOVES tortillas of all types — spelt, aramanth, wheat & herb and all types!!!
But yes . . .bring us up to snuff on the presses someone PLEASE ! 🙂
KitchenKop says
I’m posting on this soon to ask for suggestions!
KitchenKop says
The post asking for your brands and features suggestions for a tortilla maker is going up on Monday, please comment then and help me figure out which one to buy, thanks everyone!
Trina says
Kelly – you have to try a tortilla press! I make a batch of 20 tortillas once a week – soak the dough overnight and press them out in 15 min. They are soft and wonderful and taste so good! But the dough has to be *just right* to work properly in the tortilla press. (The press i have has lots of bad reviews and was off the market for a while because of this, I believe. People just weren’t making the dough right!) After 2 years of playing with the recipe (which originally called for soy-lecithin – yech!) I have it down. So happy to have yummy, healthy tortilla on hand!
Also, because they are so good and so easy to make with the press, I often give them away – it’s been a great way to show people that ‘healthy’ food doesn’t have to be nasty!
KitchenKop says
OK, you guys have convinced me! I’m going to ask for help next week on choosing a brand and features! 🙂
Teresa says
Any suggestions on getting the dough just right? I have a press but have never been able to use it without a mess
Stanley Fishman says
Very nice recipe, looks a thousand time better than store bought!
April says
Thanks Kelly –That answers my question perfectly-no more worries that this nutritious flour is processed. I am going to try those tortillas with arrowroot soon!
April says
Kelly ,
I wonder if using arrowroot instead of the unbleached white flour would work? I have had good success making crepes with only arrowroot as the “flour” mixed into the other crepe ingredients.
As a side note, though, I have asked in several blog areas and yahoo group forums if anyone knows whether arrowroot is a processed food and no one seems to know. I got to wondering about this question because arrowroot is just so fine and white in texture and color–reminding me of…..processed denatured white flour! Anyway, I have continued to use it for all its touted benefits and IF I get a chance to try your tortilla recipe and substitute arrowroot for the unbleached flour, I will post how it turned out. Thanks for the recipe!
KitchenKop says
April,
Check out what I found in this post on arrowroot flour:
https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2009/10/gluten-free-almond-cookies-made-with-arrowroot-flour-real-food-wednesday.html
You’ll be happy. 🙂
Kel
Becky D says
Thank you for this! I am local to you – and I LOVE Olga’s bread…I think I want to try your suggestions for that.
We have been eating gluten-free & corn-free, because of my little guys food intolerances, but the more I read about soaking and fermenting,(I’ve just started experimenting with that after reading Nourishing Traditions, and I just blogged about soaking oats for breakfast!) the more I wonder if he could tolerate spelt if we did that. I want to try this with all spelt and see how it works for him. He loves my homemade wet burritos (ahhhh, another West MI oddity!) and I’d love to be able to make them for him again!
KitchenKop says
Please let us know how your experimenting goes!
Meg says
Kelly, these look fantastic! I love flour tortillas for burritos and such, but I, too, find most flour tortillas in the store to be unappealing – they always smell rancid to me. I usually end up making gorditas from masa.
Anyway, I am definitely going to try this recipe. I just strained some rather loose yogurt and it yielded a pint of whey, and I have a cup of tallow that I need to use up soon, so this is perfect. Thank you!
Robin says
We’re fortunate to have a great Whole Foods here in Denver that makes their own tortillas in-house (white, wheat and corn) that are awesome (if you read the ingredients, they are simple, like what you’d use at home), so I usually go there if I’m looking for good bread (they also make lots of bread and pastries as well). I was so excited to find them, as you’re right-it’s pretty much impossible to find good tortillas (with good ingredients) in any supermarket, and I even tried a great Mexican grocery store that makes their own tortillas, but again, when I read the ingredients it was disappointing (they must use a mix of some sort)…
Anyway, I’ve been wanting to make my own but my couple attempts in the past were less than stellar, mostly the whole “rolling them out” bit, as it made a huge mess and it was really hard to get them thin enough. I may need to get a tortilla press before trying again but love having a way to make a soaked version!
Alexis says
I’ve been reading your blog for quite sometime but never commented before. So thank you for all the great info and recipes. I LOVE homemade tortillas, to me it’s one of those things that once you have homemade you can never go back. I just wanted to say that I make them with all white whole wheat (hard or soft) and I use coconut oil and everyone always loves them. The coconut oil actually gives them a really pleasant slightly sweet taste without tasting coconut-y (one of my friends bought coconut oil exclusively to make tortillas after having one of mine).
And I HATED rolling them out! So one time when in the middle of making them, I stopped ran out and bought a tortilla press. BEST THING EVER! 🙂
KitchenKop says
You’ve got my wheels turning on the tortilla press………. Any brand you recommend?
Diana says
Ditto! I’d love to find a good tortilla press. We love homemade ones 🙂
jenna Food WIth Kid Appeal says
ah, another idea to use up my whey bounty. i really don’t even want to start bread making. once i start, i fear i won’t stop. A) i don’t have the time and B) we’re trying to reduce grains, don’t want to go tempting my bread loving palate with warm fresh bread that’s too hard to resist. the boys would have fun making these with me though. maybe i’ll ask for a tortilla press for my birthday.
Amanda dittlinger says
I’m fairly new to soaked grains. Why would you only soak half? Also my family is usedcto all wheat homemade tortillas (not soaked) so if you were using all the wheat? Or do you need dry flour too? I’m low carb right now but my husband and girls would love having tortillas around.
KitchenKop says
Good question! I only soaked the whole wheat flour because white flour has no phytic acid to break down. Wouldn’t hurt to do all the flour at once if you wanted to, though.
Kelly
Marta says
Thanks for the recipe! I usually just buy the tortillas in Whole Foods. They seem to have good ingredients and taste good to me, but I’m not very picky about them. I need to try making it myself! Please let us know how the yogurt version turns out (I don’t have whey on hands).