Hey Lykkers! Have you ever tried making real Mexican corn tortillas at home? They're delicious, easy to digest, and a great choice for anyone looking for a healthier alternative to regular bread.
Unlike regular flour tortillas, these are made with masa harina, a special type of corn flour that's been processed differently. This gives tortillas their soft texture and unique flavor. If we love tacos, quesadillas, or just fresh homemade tortillas, this recipe is a must-try! Let's get started!
What You'll Need
We only need three simple ingredients to make authentic Mexican corn tortillas:
• Masa harina (114g) – This is NOT the same as regular cornmeal! It's made from cooked and dried corn, which makes it easier to digest.
• A pinch of salt – This enhances the natural corn flavor.
• Warm water (177g) – Helps form a smooth and pliable dough.
If we can't find masa harina, we can try using fine cornmeal, but the texture and taste won't be quite the same.
Step 1: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, add the masa harina and salt. Slowly pour in the warm water while stirring. The water should be warm but not too hot to touch.
Once all the water is added, start kneading the dough with our hands until it becomes smooth and soft. It should feel like playdough—moist but not sticky. If it's too dry, add a little more water. If it's too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more masa harina.
Step 2: Shape the Tortillas
Divide the dough into 10 equal portions and roll them into balls. Now, we need to flatten them into thin tortillas.
There are two ways to do this:
1. Using a tortilla press: If we have one, place a ball of dough between two sheets of plastic (such as a cut-up ziplock bag) and press down firmly. This makes perfectly round tortillas!
2. Using a rolling pin: If we don't have a tortilla press, we can roll out each ball between two pieces of plastic wrap. It takes a bit of practice to get a nice round shape, but don't worry—imperfect tortillas still taste amazing!
Step 3: Cook the Tortillas
The best way to cook tortillas is on a cast-iron skillet or a non-stick pan.
1. Heat the pan over medium-high heat—no need for oil!
2. Place one tortilla in the pan and cook for about 45 seconds on one side.
3. Flip it and cook for 1 minute on the other side.
4. Flip it again and cook for another 30 seconds. At this point, the tortilla should start to puff up. If it does, that's perfect! If not, don't worry—it'll still taste great.
5. Flip it one last time and cook for 10 more seconds, then remove it from the pan.
Step 4: Keep Them Soft
As soon as we take a tortilla off the pan, we should wrap it in a clean cloth or towel to keep it warm and soft. This also helps them stay flexible for rolling up fillings.
Once all the tortillas are done, we're ready to enjoy them with our favorite toppings!
Tips for the Best Tortillas
• Get a tortilla press – If we love tortillas, a press makes shaping them much easier.
• Use the right flour – Regular cornmeal won't give us the same soft and chewy texture.
• Don't skip the warm towel – This helps keep them soft and flexible.
• Puffing isn't required – If our tortillas don't puff up, they're still perfectly fine to eat.
How to Enjoy Our Homemade Tortillas
These corn tortillas are incredibly versatile! We can use them to make:
• Tacos – Fill them with grilled veggies, beans, or our favorite protein.
• Quesadillas – Melt some cheese between two tortillas and toast them.
• Wraps – Roll them with fresh salad and avocado for a light meal.
Lykkers, once we try homemade tortillas, we'll never want store-bought ones again! Let's enjoy the process and make the most delicious, fresh corn tortillas at home. Who's ready to give it a try?
