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 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 in 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.

Can you cook tortillas in a frying pan? ›

Pour about 1/2” inch oil into the skillet and turn the stove on to medium or medium-high heat. Make sure the oil is hot enough (350 to 365 degrees) before adding a tortilla. If the oil is too cool, the tortillas will soak up too much 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 are the three types of tortillas? ›

Plus, try our recipe for Chicken and Guacamole Tacos.
  • Corn Tortillas. Offering a firm, chewy texture, corn tortillas come out ahead in a side-by-side nutrition competition with other types. ...
  • Flour Tortillas. ...
  • Whole-Wheat Tortillas. ...
  • Chicken and Guacamole Tacos.
Apr 24, 2021

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.

What can I use instead of lard in flour 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.

What is a Spanish tortilla made of? ›

Spanish tortilla (or Spanish omelette) is made with thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and eggs, gently cooked in olive oil. It is also known as Torta Espnaola or Torta de Patates and it is best served at room temperature or even cold, which is why it is the perfect make-ahead dish!

What happens if you don't put baking powder in tortillas? ›

So, if you don't have baking powder then you can omit it altogether. The tortillas will be just as good! However, the version I tested that had more baking powder resulted in a thicker, doughy tortilla that wasn't as pliable and was harder to roll when making a burrito or wrap.

Why do you put baking soda in tortillas? ›

TORTILLA BLENDTM Sodium Bicarbonate can specifically target the attributes of height and volume, uniform cell structure, bready texture, toast point color and reduced translucency. Sodium Bicarbonate: Timing of the leavening reaction is key to obtaining the best tortilla texture, height and opacity.

Why do my homemade tortillas come out 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.

What is the best thing to cook tortillas on? ›

If you don't have a comal at home, you can use a grill, cast iron plate, or nonstick pan to make tortillas. These cookwares will still evenly heat the tortillas to help them come out perfectly.

How do you fry tortillas so they don't break? ›

To make the tortillas flexible, put about a 1/4 inch of oil in a fry pan large enough to hold the tortilla. Heat the oil to ~350F. Place a tortilla in the hot oil for about 30 to 40 seconds then turn over for another 30 to 40 seconds. Place the tortilla on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

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