Homemade Wheat Tortillas
An easy dish built around unbleached all-purpose flour, salt and baking powder — roughly 60 minutes start to finish, and rated easy to make. Below: the ingredients split into pantry staples and a quick shopping list, a built-in serving scaler, and the method in 7 steps.
You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet and large pot. At easy difficulty across 7 steps, it's a good one for a busy evening.
What you'll need
Shopping list (1)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: contains meat, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Gluten
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a large bowl until evenly combined.
- Cut in the lard or shortening with your fingertips or a pastry blender until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with no large lumps remaining.
- Gradually pour in the warm water while mixing, then knead in the bowl for 3 to 4 minutes until a soft, slightly tacky dough forms that no longer sticks to your hands.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal balls, cover with a damp cloth, and let them rest at room temperature for at least 20 minutes so the gluten relaxes and the dough rolls out easily.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a thin round about 20 cm (8 inches) across, rotating and flipping as you go to keep it even and circular.
- Heat a dry cast-iron skillet or comal over medium-high heat, then cook each tortilla for about 30 to 45 seconds per side until pale brown spots appear and the tortilla puffs slightly, flipping once.
- Stack the cooked tortillas in a clean towel to keep them soft and pliable, and serve warm.
You'll use: Frying pan / skillet · Large pot · Blender · Whisk
Tips & common questions
How long does Homemade Wheat Tortillas take to make?
About 60 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 7 steps and 5 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Homemade Wheat Tortillas is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: NCI flour tortillas.jpg (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.