Homemade Flour Tortillas [Gluten Free]

I have a confession to make. I’ve been slipping off the gluten free wagon for awhile and I need to get back on it. Perhaps it was finding a gluten free supplement that did me in. I slowly became dependent on it and then I guess my tolerance built up… or so I thought. Lately I’m noticing more and more how symptoms are creeping back and I need to be more mindful. Gah… But the good thing is, I have much more confidence now in working with gluten free recipes than I ever did before. One of my favorites which beats any store bought version are these Homemade Flour Tortillas Gluten Free [GF]. You’re only 5 basic pantry staples away from having flour tortillas better than any purchased version.

A few years ago, 2009 to be exact, I made these homemade whole wheat tortillas. I was thrilled because that was when I was trying to incorporate more whole grain and whole wheat flour into my diet.

Fast forward two years, I had to learn how to adapt to a gluten free diet when I realized I had an intolerance to gluten. I was doing really well with my gluten free diet for over a year or so. I lost weight, felt great and looked great. Then I found a gluten free supplement.

I placed a false safety net around the supplement just so I could justify eating all those gluten laden foods again – sometimes not in moderation. Needless to say, I need to take a step back from the supplement and get back on track. I’m going to make a better effort in keeping my gluten free diet and staying away from the supplements. Phew. It feels good to type this out lol.

So anyway, back to this recipe… over the weekend I hosted and taught a ‘On the Border Fiesta Brunch’ and one of the things on our menu were homemade tortillas. The recipe is ridiculously easy and I realized making my own gluten free tortillas was much more easy and more cost effective.

The recipe is something anyone can make – even your kids! – and you can make the tortillas then freeze them if you’d like. Once you make tortillas from scratch (especially knowing how easy and economical they are), you may never buy them again since they taste so much better!

What is Gluten-free Homemade Flour Tortillas?

Gluten-free homemade flour tortillas are a type of tortilla that is free from gluten, a protein found in wheat and some other grains. Gluten-free tortillas are made with alternative flours that do not contain gluten, such as corn flour, rice flour, or chickpea flour. These flours are mixed with water, fat (such as oil or butter), and seasonings to form a dough. The dough is then rolled out into thin rounds, cooked on a hot surface until lightly browned, and then served warm. Gluten-free flour tortillas are a great alternative for individuals who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease, as they provide a similar texture and taste as traditional flour tortillas without the risk of gluten exposure. Use these tortillas in a variety of ways, such as in tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. It can be paired with a wide range of fillings to suit individual tastes.

Homemade Flour Tortillas [Gluten Free]

recipe adapted from AllRecipes

Homemade Flour Tortillas Ingredients

• 4 cups flour [all purpose or gluten free flour blend*]
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 
• 2 tablespoons Crisco shortening
• 1 ½ cups water 

Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe Instructions

1. Whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a mixing bowl.
2. Mix in the shortening with your fingers until the flour resembles cornmeal.
3. Add the water and mix until the dough comes together; place on a lightly floured surface and knead a few minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
5. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Use a well-floured rolling pin to roll a dough ball into a thin, round tortilla.
7. Place into the hot skillet, and cook until bubbly and golden; flip and continue cooking until golden on the other side.
8. Place the cooked tortilla in a tortilla warmer; continue rolling and cooking the remaining dough.
9. *Gluten free flour blend: This is the best combination for my personal uses and has never failed me. I purchased a majority of the ingredients at an Asian market (at less than $.99/lb) and the other ingredients marked were Bob Red Mill brand. Cornstarch was Argo brand. 300 grams superfine brown rice flour (Bob’s Red Mill), 250 grams sweet rice flour (Asian market), 150 grams tapioca flour (Asian market), 100 grams sorghum flour (Bob’s Red Mill), 100 grams potato starch (Asian market) and 100 grams cornstarch (Argo brand)
10. Whisk together the above flours and store in an air tight container.
11. To use, measure out 140 grams for every cup called for in your favorite baking recipe (NOT yeast bread recipes.)
12. Add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for every cup used in the recipe as well to help with texture and binding.
13. Voila! You can bake gluten free with confidence!

Additional Ingredients For Making Homemade Flour Tortillas

There are the most important ingredients needed to make gluten-free, homemade flour tortillas.

1. Gluten-free flour: This is the most important ingredient in gluten-free tortillas, as it provides the structure and texture of the final product. Different types of gluten-free flours, such as corn flour, rice flour, chickpea flour, or almond flour, each offer unique textures and flavors. Some recipes may call for a blend of different flours to achieve the desired result.
2. Binders: In the absence of gluten, add binders such as xanthan gum or guar gum to help the dough hold together. These ingredients provide elasticity and structure to the dough, helping it to roll and cook evenly. Without a binding agent, the dough may crumble and fall apart during cooking.
3. Fat: Fat, in the form of oil, butter, or shortening, helps to add moisture and flavor to the dough. This ingredient also helps to create a tender, flaky texture in the finished tortillas. Omitting fat from the recipe may result in a drier, less pliable tortilla.
4. Liquid: Liquid, in the form of water or milk, is used to bring the dough together and hydrate the gluten-free flour. The amount of liquid required will depend on the type of gluten-free flour being used, as well as the humidity and temperature of the kitchen. Too little liquid will result in a dry, crumbly dough, while too much will result in a sticky, difficult-to-work-with dough.
5. Seasonings: Add salt, baking powder, and other seasonings to the dough to enhance the flavor of the tortillas. Salt is essential for bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients. Baking powder helps to give the tortillas a light, fluffy texture. Add additional seasonings, such as cumin or chili powder to the dough for extra flavor.
6. Additional ingredients: Depending on the recipe, add additional ingredients such as eggs or cheese to the dough for added flavor and texture. These ingredients can help to bind the dough. It provides a richness to the finished tortillas, but they are not essential to the dish.

Thus, each ingredient plays an important role in creating delicious gluten-free tortillas that are tender, flavorful, and easy to work with. Also, it’s important to note that some gluten-free flour blends may already contain binders, fat, and other ingredients. So it’s important to carefully read the ingredients list when using store-bought blends.

Tips For Making Homemade Flour Tortillas

There are some tips to help you a little to make gluten-free, homemade flour tortillas.

• Use the right type of gluten-free flour: Different types of gluten-free flour will affect the texture and flavor of the final product, so choose the right one for your recipe. Some popular options include corn flour, rice flour, chickpea flour, and almond flour.
• Properly measure ingredients: It’s important to measure ingredients accurately to ensure a successful outcome. When making gluten-free dough, using too much or too little of any ingredient can affect the final result.
• Let the dough rest: After making the dough, let it rest for 10-15 minutes. This will help to hydrate the gluten-free flour and make it easier to work with.
• Cook the tortillas on a hot, dry surface: Cook the tortillas on a hot, dry griddle or skillet until they start to brown. Then, flip and cook the other side. This will create a tender, flavorful tortilla with a crispy exterior.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)