Homemade healthy Tortillas

Tortillas can be healthy when made at home. That's because they contain a lot less fat or shortening compared to most commercially made tortillas. This is a simple and easy recipe for healthy tortillas. And, you can use it to make delicious and soft flatbread, perfect for making fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, or wraps with guacamole.

Table of Content

• How do you make regular flour tortillas? 
• Ingredients and substitutes
• Homemade healthy tortillas
• Variations
• More flatbread recipes
• Frequently asked questions
• You may also like
• Printable Recipe
• Join the conversation

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Don't get me wrong, I'm not one to brag about eating only homemade food. Being a working mom, often store-bought tortillas are the only way to go. In fact, I always have a pack of store-bought tortillas in the house for those times when my Aadi or Rhea bring friends over. And yet, it's still great to know what you eat and what is in it. That's how I keep a healthy diet in our family.

Back when I traveled, I used to be very confused about the word 'tortilla.' Some restaurants serve you an omelet and call it a tortilla. And, the same food in another restaurant is called Frittata. In another place, the tortilla is a flatbread served as a wrap such as burritos. Also, having grown up eating chapati, which looks like a tortilla, this was confusing.

How do you make regular flour tortillas? 

Because I posted a healthier version of the flour tortillas, I often get asked how real flour tortillas are made? So, here goes. 

• 1 cup flour (all-purpose)
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil (for more authentic use lard) 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• and 1 cup of warm water 

Combine all ingredients well, until you have a smooth dough. Then, let it rest for 15 minutes. Next, divide into four small balls. Then, roll and bake on a hot pan using the same method as detailed below.

Are flour tortillas healthy? Is there a  healthy version of tortilla?

My mom made terrific tortillas. They were melt in the mouth delicious. And, she made them in the traditional method, which usually means ¼ cup lard for every 2 cups of flour. That's a lot. I know!!

So, I make flour tortillas as often as my mom use to make, but minus all that lard. I use olive oil or coconut oil instead. So, for every cup of flour, I add one tablespoon of olive or coconut oil. And, if I want to make these even healthier, I make Whole Wheat Tortillas. Indian chapati for my kids is like a treat. In fact, they do not need anything to go with it. These soft chapatis or whole wheat tortillas melt in the mouth.

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Ingredients and substitutes

• Flour - Plain, all-purpose flour is all you need to make these tortillas. You can also use whole grain flour or whole wheat flour to make whole wheat tortillas.
• Oil - Olive oil, canola oil, coconut oil - are great to use in this recipe. I even used avocado oil, which adds tons of flavor.
• Water - Regular tap water works just fine. I like to use hot water as it softens the gluten in the flour. And, you can also use milk if you want to add more richness to the dough. But, I still prefer plain water.
• Baking powder - This makes the dough light and fluffy. You can omit baking powder, but then it makes the tortillas chewier.

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Homemade healthy tortillas

• Dry ingredients - in the bowl of a food processor combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the oil through the feeder and pulse a few times until the oil coats every grain of flour.
• Knead - Next, add the hot water and pulse until you have a smooth dough. Leave to rest on the counter for 15 minutes. Then knead for 30 seconds more until soft but smooth.

• Divide - Divide the dough into 8 equal size portions. Shape each into balls and rest for 10 minutes.
  Pro tip - I prefer to divide the dough in half, then half, again half... until I have an approximate size or number I need. Resting will help the gluten in the dough rest and easier to roll.

• Roll - Dab each ball with a little flour on both sides. Use a rolling pin roll on a lightly floured surface to about 8 to 10-inch diameter. Place them on parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  Pro tip - Resting will help the gluten in the dough rest and easier to roll. If necessary let rest again as needed.

• Cook - Heat a griddle, skillet, or frying pan on medium heat. Cook tortilla on each side for 2 minutes flipping once or twice in between.
  Pro tip - Each tortilla usually takes 3 to 4 minutes, so adjust the heat accordingly. 
• Keep warm - Place the cooked tortillas wrapped in a clean kitchen cloth so they stay soft. 

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The secrets to flatbread

The secret is the resting time — yup! As simple as it sounds. 
Many people don't realize the power of resting the dough. It can do wonders for your baked goods especially bread. And, if you let the gluten relax, you will find your tortillas become soft, and you can roll them thinner. However, if you don't give it that resting time, what you end up making are thick, chewy pancakes. So, take a break. Get coffee, or find something else to do. And, if you want, use a timer to calm those nerves and let the dough rest.

The right way to cook a tortilla

One of the most common problems with laden bread, tortillas, chapati, pita, naan, etc. is that we flip the bread too fast not letting the dough cook. What happens then is that the dough dries out and you get tough, hard flatbreads when they cool. You want to retain the steam that builds inside the bread to keep these soft. Each tortilla takes about 3 to 4 minutes.

• Make sure the pan is hot.
• Place the tortilla on the pan.
• Once you see little bubbles like this - it usually should take no more than 30 seconds.
• The first flip - Turn it over - give it about 2 minutes to cook on the other side. You will see the tortilla is getting a little puffy.
• Second flip -  Turn it back on the first side - This will take another minute or so.
  Pro tip - Help the dough puff by gently pressing the sides that are not touching the pan. This will help cook those spots that are raised up.
• Third Flip - This is it. As long as you see no raw dough, a few specks of black freckles.

Storing the tortillas

• As soon as you take the tortillas off the griddle place it in between the layers of a clean kitchen towel.
• The steam in the tortillas will help keep them soft and warm.
• If you leave them out and open, they tend to dry and become tough.

Reheating tortillas

• To reheat tortillas - place them in between two damp (not wet) clean paper hand towels in the microwave.
• Usually, it takes 30 seconds in my microwave - yours will be more or less.
• The damp paper towel help restore some of that moisture into the tortillas and makes them almost fresh again.

Variations

• Veggie tortilla - replace some of the hot water in the recipe with tomato puree or spinach puree to make tomato tortilla or spinach wraps.
• Gluten-free tortilla - replace the flour in the recipe with gluten-free tortilla or almond flour.
• Garlic tortilla - add a sprinkle of garlic powder to the flour or brush some melted butter and raosted garlic mixture to the cooked tortillas.
• Spicy tortilla - Add some chili powder or chopped fresh chillies with a squeeze of lime to the flour.

More flatbread recipes

• Whole wheat tortillas
• No-Knead flatbread recipe
• Potato Flatbread Recipe
• Indian Flatbread - Chapati, Roti, Paratha
• Easy Soft Flatbread Without Yeast (no-knead)
• Healthy Tortillas Recipe - Best Homemade Tortillas
• Easy Pita Bread Recipe
• See all flatbread or all bread recipes

Frequently asked questions

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