Easy Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas Recipe (No Press Required) (2024)

By

Wendy Stoltz, Gusti Ayu Wahyuni Mertawati

/ Last Modified On February 8, 2024

Jump to Recipe

Prepare to wrap your favorite fillings into these simple and delicious Gluten-Free tortillas and say goodbye to missing out on Taco Tuesday. These homemade tortillas are made with just a few simple ingredients. They're soft, dairy-free, and vegan and have a flavorful base.

Easy Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas Recipe (No Press Required) (1)

According to WebMD, corn tortillas are a clear winner regarding nutritional value. But flour tortillas are more durable and can hold more fillings inside of them.

The choice is up to you. I love both, regardless of nutritional content. If you prefer corn tortillas, make your own homemade, fresh, gluten-free corn tortillas using this recipe with only three ingredients and a few simple steps.

Our Gluten-Free Tacos recipe is a simple, delicious way to enjoy a classic favorite.

This Gluten-Free Pita Bread recipe is perfect for wrapping, dipping, and sharing. And not to mention, this Gluten-Free Roti recipe that's a versatile bread that’s perfect for your next curry.

Discover gluten-free cooking with these gluten-free Udemy courses that cater to every taste and skill level.

Table of Contents

GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS RECIPE

Making this gluten-free tortilla recipe is easier than you think and much less expensive than buying them at the store.

You can make gluten-free flour tortillas with just a few ingredients you probably already have. These gluten-free flour tortillas are flexible, have the perfect texture, and can be frozen and reheated.

This gluten-free tortilla recipe includes tips, setting you up for success. You can roll the gluten-free homemade tortillas out with a rolling pin or a tortilla press. (We recommend this affordable cast iron tortilla press!)

WHY YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLA RECIPE

Simple to make - These gluten-free tortillas are simple to make, and they use minimal ingredients.

Cost saving - They are high-quality tortillas but at a fraction of the cost of store-bought tortillas.

Ingredients readily available - The ingredients are relatively easy to find, and they store well.

Easy Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas Recipe (No Press Required) (2)

INGREDIENTS IN THIS GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLA RECIPE

This gluten-free tortilla recipe has only five or six ingredients, depending on whether your gluten-free flour blend has xanthan in it.

All-purpose gluten-free flour blend – We used Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour or my gluten-free flour blend.

Xanthan gumXanthan gum helps to bind the ingredients and hold these gluten-free flour tortillas together. If your blend includes it, omit it.

Baking powder – Helps with texture and gives it a little rise. Reduce to ½ teaspoon if your blend includes baking powder.

Salt – For flavor.

Shortening – For flavor and texture and to help bind the ingredients together.

Water – You’ve probably seen mixed messages on the water. Some recipes call for extra cold water, and some for hot water. You can use room-temperature water or warm water in this gluten-free tortilla recipe.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR THIS GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLA RECIPE

Skillet - The best skillet to use is cast iron, like this one here. However, you can also use a nonstick skillet at a slightly lower temperature.

Tortilla press - You can roll the gluten-free tortillas out with a rolling pin or use a tortilla press. We recommend this affordable cast iron tortilla press.

If you have any questions about making this gluten-free tortilla recipe, please leave a comment and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Easy Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas Recipe (No Press Required) (3)

HOW TO MAKE THIS GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLA RECIPE

  1. Mix the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
  2. Using a pastry blender, cut in the shortening until the shortening is the size of small peas.
  3. Add ½ cup water and give it a good stir. The dough will be dry. Add in the remaining ¼ cup water and stir.
  4. Work the dough with your hands until it comes together into a ball.
  5. Place a piece of wax paper on your counter. Sprinkle gluten-free flour over the surface. Turn your dough onto the floured wax paper. Knead the dough with your hands until smooth. If the dough is too wet, add flour and knead it; if it feels dry, knead 1 tablespoon of water into it.
  6. Heat cast iron skillet over low-medium heat—roll dough into 12 2-inch dough balls. Place one dough ball onto your floured wax paper. Place another piece of wax paper on top and roll it about ⅛th inch thick using a rolling pin.
  7. Carefully remove the top piece of wax paper, flip the tortilla over into your hand, and carefully remove the second piece of wax paper.
  8. Increase the heat to medium. Place the tortilla into the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes or until it has brown spots. Flip the tortilla over and cook another 2-3 minutes. You can roll out the next tortilla while it cooks or have someone help you. Enjoy your cooked tortilla.

Easy Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas Recipe (No Press Required) (4)

WORKING WITH GLUTEN-FREE FLOURS

Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level when using gluten-free flour. Do not scoop your measuring cup into the gluten-free flour.

The best method really is to weigh the gluten-free flour, but I don't have the ingredient weights for all my recipes yet.

TIPS FOR MAKING GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS

Spoon the flour - Make sure to spoon the flour into the measuring cup and then level. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a dry dough.

Don’t overmix - Don’t overmix the gluten-free flour tortilla dough.

Room temperature - Use room temperature water or warm water for this recipe.

Use a wooden spoon - When stirring in the water, it’s best to use a wooden spoon.

Use the correct pan -Cast iron skillets work best when making tortillas. I don’t recommend non-stick pans.

TIPS FOR HANDLING GLUTEN-FREE FLOUR DOUGH

To make your gluten-free wrap dough soft, add more warm water by the tablespoonful until it holds together and almost feels a bit greasy.

Then, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and let it rest for 20 minutes. After that, work with ¼ of the dough at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO YOU RE-HEAT GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS?

Re-heat these gluten-free tortillas either in a pan over low heat on the stovetop or microwave them in between two damp paper towels for 10-15 seconds.

SHOULD I GREASE THE SKILLET I COOK THE TORTILLAS IN?

No, you don't need to grease your skillet with oil. You can go ahead and cook your tortillas.

WHY IS MY GF FLOUR TORTILLA DOUGH CRUMBLY?

Add more water if you find your dough is crumbly. You may have added too much flour.

CAN I FREEZE GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS?

To freeze gluten-free tortillas, first, let them cool to room temperature. Once they are cooled, place a piece of parchment paper in between each tortilla and place them in a zip lock bag or airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

If you have a food saver, they’ll keep for up to 6 months in the freezer.

HOW DO I DEFROST FROZEN GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS?

You can easily defrost gluten-free tortillas in the refrigerator overnight. Just make sure to refresh them by softening them in a hot skillet for a few moments on each side. Also, make sure the skillet is very hot before you place the tortilla on it.

HOW DO I MAKE MY GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS SOFT AND STRETCHY?

To make your gluten-free wraps soft and stretchy, you can use a high-quality all-purpose gluten-free flour (like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour) and xanthan gum that will hold all the ingredients together.

Easy Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas Recipe (No Press Required) (5)

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A TORTILLA PRESS?

No worries, you can use a rolling pin and roll them out between two pieces of parchment or wax paper. I've included photos to show you how.

CAN YOU MAKE FLOUR TORTILLAS WITH GLUTEN-FREE FLOUR?

Yes, you can use gluten-free flour for flour tortillas recipe, too! Just make sure to use xanthan gum to bind the ingredients and hold gluten-free flour tortillas together (again, if your blend includes it, feel free to omit it).

WHAT ARE GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS MADE OF?

You can make these gluten-free flour tortillas using only six ingredients: An all-purpose gluten-free flour blend, Xanthan gum, Baking powder, Salt, Shortening, and Water.

ARE GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS HEALTHY?

Generally, some gluten-free flours have more nutrients than others, which makes them healthier choices to include in your diet. Gluten-free flour tortillas are also a great option for people with celiac disease and those who avoid gluten for other reasons.

DO GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS TASTE DIFFERENT?

Gluten-free tortillas have a bit different taste than traditional flour tortillas. Some people describe this taste as similar to potatoes.

WHICH GLUTEN-FREE FLOUR BLEND IS BEST FOR GF FLOUR TORTILLAS?

For this recipe I have used Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour or my gluten-free flour blend.

Easy Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas Recipe (No Press Required) (6)

HOW DO YOU USE A TORTILLA PRESS?

Line a tortilla press with a small plastic bag that is open on all sides, but one side (the seam). Lightly dust the inside of the bag with gluten-free flour.

Roll dough into 2-inch balls and place a dough ball into the floured bag on the press. Close to flatten. Slide the bag off the tortilla press. Gently remove the gluten-free tortilla from the bag.

TIP: You can also make a smaller dough ball to make it taco size or a larger dough ball for a burrito size. There are a variety of tortilla presses to choose from, and it is worth the investment if you make these often.

WHAT’S THE BEST PAN/SKILLET FOR COOKING GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS?

The best skillet to use is cast iron, like this one here. However, you can also use a nonstick skillet at a slightly lower temperature. The most important step is to make sure the skillet is very hot before you add the first shaped round.

HOMEMADE GLUTEN-FREE WRAPS

If you love gluten-free wraps, you can make your own at home. Use this gluten-free flour tortilla recipe to make your favorite gluten-free wraps.

These tortillas are pliable, and they are perfect for making gluten-free wraps. If you are on a low-carb diet, try these low-carb tortillas.

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS?

  • Gluten-free tacos - Use our homemade gluten-free taco seasoning and your choice of ground meat to make the best tacos.
  • Gluten-free enchiladas - While we like to use gluten-free corn tortillas in our enchiladas, these gluten-free tortillas are also amazing.
  • Instant Pot salsa chicken - We love a quick dinner, especially if it includes tacos.
  • Instant Pot fajitas - We love making fajitas, and they are especially good with homemade gluten-free tortillas.

WHAT OTHER WAYS CAN YOU USE THIS GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLA RECIPE?

Make it sweet - You can place butter on it and then a generous amount of cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat.

Add some cheese - for a fun kid's snack.

WHAT STORE-BOUGHT GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS CAN I BUY?

While we prefer to make our gluten-free tortillas from scratch, here are a few store-bought brands that our readers like:

View our step-by-step video for this recipe on YouTube.

Yield: 12 servings

Easy Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas Recipe (No Press Required) (7)

Making this easy homemade gluten-free tortilla recipe is easier than you think. This step-by-step recipe is dairy-free and vegan, and you can roll them out easily with a rolling pin or use a tortilla press. It’s up to you!

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Additional Time5 minutes

Total Time40 minutes

Instructions

  1. In medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt.
  2. Using a pastry blender, cut in the shortening until the shortening is the size of small peas.
  3. Add ½ cup water and give it a good stir. The dough will be dry. Add in the remaining ¼ cup water and stir.
  4. Work the dough with your hands until it starts to come together into a ball.
  5. Place a piece of wax paper on your counter. Sprinkle gluten free flour over the surface. Turn your dough onto the floured wax paper. (see note below for using a tortilla press)
  6. Knead the dough with your hands until smooth. If the dough is too wet, add additional flour and knead it; if the dough feels dry, knead 1 tablespoon of water into it.
  7. Heat cast iron skillet over low-medium heat.
  8. Roll dough into 12, 2-inch dough balls. Place one dough ball onto your floured wax paper. Place another piece of wax paper on top and using a rolling pin, roll into about ⅛th thick.
  9. Carefully remove the top piece of wax paper, flip the tortilla over into your hand and carefully remove the second piece of wax paper.
  10. Increase the heat to medium. Place the tortilla into the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes or until it starts to brown.
  11. Flip the tortilla over and cook another 2-3 minutes. You can roll out the next tortilla while it cooks or you can have a helper do it.
  12. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Using a Tortilla Press: Line a tortilla press with a small plastic bag that is open on all sides, but one side (the seam). Lightly dust the inside of the bag with gluten free flour. Roll dough into 2-inch balls and place a dough ball into the floured-bag on the press. Close to flatten. Slide the bag off the tortilla press. Gently remove the tortilla from the bag.
  • Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and then level it.
  • It’s best to use a wooden spoon when stirring in the water.
  • Cast iron skillets work best when making tortillas. I don’t recommend non-stick pans.
  • Use room temperature water, or warm water.
  • Don't overmix the dough.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 57Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 89mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.

Do you have a favorite store-bought tortilla? Let us know in the comments below.

Did you make this gluten-free tortilla recipe? Did you enjoy them with gluten-free tacos or did you make a gluten-free wrap? Let us know in the comments below.

did you make this recipe?

Tag @glutenfreepalate on Instagram and hashtag it #glutenfreepalatebaker so we can see all the deliciousness!

Thanks for sharing!

Easy Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas Recipe (No Press Required) (2024)

FAQs

Do you need a tortilla press for flour tortillas? ›

Can You Use a Tortilla Press for Flour Tortillas? Despite common belief, tortilla presses are great for flour tortillas. Not only do tortilla presses speed up the process, but they also eliminate the mess of flour that is usually associated with rolling tortillas out with a rolling pin.

What is the best alternative flour for tortillas? ›

Cassava & Almond Flour Tortillas

Flours made from almonds or cassava (a root vegetable with a nutty flavor) are among the most common grain-free base ingredients for wraps.

Why do you need a tortilla press? ›

A tortilla press is a traditional device with a pair of flat round surfaces of about 8-inch plus to crush balls of corn dough in order to obtain round corn tortillas or flour tortillas.

Can you use a rolling pin to make tortillas? ›

HOW TO MAKE FLOUR TORTILLAS. You only need a food processor, a rolling pin, and a cast iron skillet to make these tortillas at home. The process is straightforward: mix the dough, let it rest, roll it out, then cook the tortillas.

Why do my homemade flour tortillas fall apart? ›

Your dough is too dry. Try adding more water or a little oil to the batter.

How do you keep homemade tortillas from falling apart? ›

How do you prevent corn tortillas from falling apart when you try to roll them up? You've got to heat the tortillas before you roll them up. You can give them a lite coating of oil and toss them into a hot sauté pan. Use no oil, if you prefer, or do it restaurant style and dip them into the deep fat fryer.

Why are my homemade flour tortillas cracking? ›

The temperature part is pretty simple. If you've made your tortilla dough earlier in the day and are storing it in the fridge, the cold dough will be drier and stiffer — two surefire issues that will lead to cracking. Even non-glutinous doughs get stretchier as they warm.

Why won t my flour tortillas puff up? ›

You don't want a tortilla that's too thick — the steam won't rise under the weight of too much masa! A very thin tortilla will also be susceptible to tearing, which will sabotage your chance at a puff. So aim for that sweet spot in the middle.

Is lard or shortening better for flour tortillas? ›

Notes. Back lard is preferable for its very mild pork flavor, although more neutral tasting leaf lard or vegetable shortening can be substituted for great results. The tortillas are best eaten fresh and while still warm.

How long to let flour tortilla dough rest? ›

Place all of the dough in your bowl and cover with a warm, damp paper towel or place a lid on the bowl. Allow to rest for 10-15 minutes. Heat a griddle to medium heat. Lightly flour the work surface and roll out the dough balls one at a time with a rolling pin.

Is it cheaper to make your own flour tortillas? ›

Not only do homemade tortillas taste much better than store-bought tortillas, but they are extremely cheap to make using only three ingredients, well four, if you count water!

Is it cheaper to make or buy flour tortillas? ›

Absolutely! This flour tortilla recipe is made using simple pantry staples and doesn't require anything fancy… no stand mixers or dough hook is needed for these simple tortillas! By making your own, you will save roughly $1.50 off store prices per batch!

What does baking powder do to flour tortillas? ›

Baking powder: Baking powder acts as a leavener, giving the tortillas a slightly pillowy texture. Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the flour tortillas. Lard: Lard, a common baking ingredient in Mexican cuisine, adds flavor and helps create the perfect flour tortilla texture.

How do you press tortillas at home? ›

On top of the butcher paper place one ball of dough the size of a golf ball.
  1. Place the other square of butcher paper over the dough.
  2. Lower the top plate onto the dough.
  3. Get a Tortilla Press. ...
  4. The tortilla after the first press.
  5. Grab both sheets of butcher paper with the tortilla in between and flip it over.

What can I use to press corn tortillas? ›

Note: If you don't have a tortilla press, you can pat the balls into flat discs or roll them out with a pin. You can also place the balls (with the plastic) between two very heavy books and press them out that way.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fredrick Kertzmann

Last Updated:

Views: 6647

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fredrick Kertzmann

Birthday: 2000-04-29

Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204

Phone: +2135150832870

Job: Regional Design Producer

Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games

Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.