After you make and taste these homemade flour tortillas, you’ll never want store bought tortillas again.
You’ll be amazed how fast and easy this flour tortilla recipe really is to make. Before you could drive, purchase tortillas and drive home you could have a batch of fresh hot flour tortillas ready to eat.
Are you ready for homemade tortillas from your cast iron? Let’s do this!

Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe
I used to buy these pre-made but uncooked tortillas in the refrigerated part of the grocery store. These were a great option until I discovered how easy it was to make my own flour tortillas with ingredients I kept on hand at home.
How Do You Make Flour Tortillas?
A homemade flour tortilla is 4 basic ingredients: flour, water, oil and salt. I add a 5th ingredient, baking powder. That’s all it takes for the best flour tortillas you’ve ever had!
Why do you add baking powder to your flour tortilla recipe?
The baking powder is a leavening agent that give the tortilla a puffier feel. Without a little baking powder you’ll have a very flat tortilla. Both are equally delicious. You can certainly leave it out if you want.
How do you store homemade flour tortillas?
Honestly, unless I make a double or triple batch, there usually gone in one meal! But if you have leftovers or you are making the tortillas ahead of time, you can store them in a plastic bag on the counter for a few days. For longer storage you’ll want to put them in the fridge.
Homemade Flour Tortilla Ingredients

- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup hot water
Tips for Making the Best Homemade Flour Tortillas
- Use hot water, but not boiling. The warmer water will help the dough form quickly and smoothly.
- When you roll out the dough to form the tortillas make sure your roller goes over the edges. You want a super thin, equally thin / thick all around before cooking.
- You want those brown spots to form as your tortillas puff up on the cast iron pan. This will take about 30 – 60 seconds per side.
Flour Tortilla Cooking Directions
The printable recipe is at the bottom of this post.
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Electric or Stand Mixer, optional
- Rolling Pin
- Cast Iron Pan

- In large bowl combine dry ingredients, using whisk to mix baking powder and salt in well.
- Add oil and hot water until a soft dough is formed.

- Knead by hand for approximately 5 minutes or in an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes.
- Place dough in large greased bowl, cover with towel, and let rest for an hour.
- Divide dough into 8-10 equal balls.

- Preheat cast iron pan over medium heat.
- Rolling the tortillas – roll dough out on a lightly floured surface. Tortilla should be about six inches.
- If you prefer you can skip rolling and use a Tortilla Press.
- Place tortilla on preheated cast iron or skillet. Heat for 30 seconds, flip and heat for another 20-30 seconds.
Keep cooked tortillas covered with a towel.
Serve warm or store remaining tortillas in an airtight container.
How do you serve homemade flour tortillas?
They are wonderful just served warm with butter. But for meal ideas they are great paired with:
- Southwestern Pinto Beans
- Make a yummy quesadilla with your favorite cheese and serve with some Fresh Peach Salsa
- Shredded Mexican Beef
How do you re-heat tortillas?
You can put them back in the pan for a quick warm up on each side. Or if you prefer you can warm them up individually in the microwave between 2 damp paper towels (not wet).
More Better Homemade Recipes

Homemade Flour Tortillas
Ingredients
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
- 3/4 cup Hot Water not boiling
Instructions
-
In large bowl combine dry ingredients, using whisk to mix baking powder and salt in well.
-
Add oil and hot water until a soft dough is formed.
-
Knead by hand for approximately 5 minutes or in an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes.
-
Place dough in large greased bowl, cover with towel, and let rest for an hour.
-
Divide dough into 8-10 equal balls.
-
Preheat cast iron pan over medium heat.
-
Rolling the tortillas – roll dough out on a lightly floured surface. Tortilla should be about six inches.
-
Place tortilla on preheated cast iron or skillet. Heat for 30 seconds, flip and heat for another20-30 seconds.
Recipe Notes
Keep cooked tortillas covered with a towel.
Serve warm or store remaining tortillas in an airtight container.
