Homemade Flour Tortillas

How to make homemade flour tortillas

1. 1

   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the shortening and mix it in with the flour using your hands. Rub the shortening between your fingers until the flour resembles coarse meal.

2. 2

   Stir the hot water into the flour mixture with a rubber spatula and mix until incorporated and the dough starts to come together. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead by hand for 3-5 minutes until the dough is smooth and has developed some tension.

   3 min
3. 3

   Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball by tucking the outside corners inward towards the center and then cupping your hand in a C-shape around the dough and rolling it on your work surface seam side down until the ball is smooth and elastic. Transfer each piece to a plate and gently press down with the palm of your hand to slightly flatten it. Cover with plastic wrap or a dish towel and let rest for 30 minutes.

   30 min
4. 4

   Working with one piece at a time, place the dough onto a lightly floured surface, pat the dough into a flat, round disk, and roll into an 8.5-inch round tortilla using a rolling pin until paper thin and translucent looking. Repeat with remaining dough, but do not stack the uncooked tortillas on top of each other or else they will stick together. (Note: You can roll a few tortillas to start and then roll the rest while the tortillas are cooking.)

5. 5

   Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Place rolled out tortilla in skillet and cook until bubbles have developed on the surface and the bottom is golden brown and spotty, about 30 seconds. Flip the tortilla and cook until brown and spotty, about 15-30 seconds. Transfer to a plate and cover with a dish towel to keep warm. Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas. Serve warm.

   30s