There is nothing like fresh gluten free corn tortillas. When they are served warm, they have a comforting and satisfying quality that is hard to beat! I share all of my tips and tricks to make the best corn tortillas from scratch.
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Once you try homemade corn tortillas you are going to want to say goodbye to store-bought corn tortillas. The difference between freshly made and store-bought corn tortillas is like night and day!
Freshly made tortillas are soft and pliable, with a slightly chewy texture, and a subtle corn flavor that complements a wide range of savory dishes. Try them filled with my Gluten Free Pulled Pork! I include several tasty filling ideas for the tortillas below.
Homemade corn tortillas are a staple of Mexican cuisine and are made from masa harina, a type of corn flour that has been nixtamalized (cooked and soaked in an alkaline solution) to improve its texture and flavor.
The dough is shaped into small rounds and pressed in a tortilla press to the perfect thickness. They are then cooked on a hot skillet until they are lightly browned and slightly charred.
I used to think making tortillas from scratch would be difficult, but I am here to hold your hand and walk you through all of the steps to make them from scratch.
If you are looking for even more meal ideas, I have tons of fun gluten free meal recipes to try!
Why These Tortillas Are Great:
- They are fresh and don't fall apart like store-bought corn tortillas.
- You can fill them with all sorts of delicious savory fillings for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- All you need are three simple ingredients, masa, salt, and water.
Tips For Sucess:
- Be sure your masa is gluten free. King Arthur Masa and Maseca brands are gluten free.
- Do not use plain cornmeal or corn flour to make your tortillas. Masa flour is specially made to make tortillas that are soft and pliable.
- Use a tortilla press. This is not only a big time saver, but it will ensure your tortillas are the perfect thickness. (Not to mention rolling them all by hand is a lot of work!)
- Store the cooked corn tortillas in a Tortilla Warmer so they stay warm through dinner.
Ingredient Notes:
One of the things I love about fresh corn tortillas made from scratch is how few ingredients they have. Store-bought corn tortillas usually have preservatives and other unnecessary ingredients.
- Masa aka Nixta Masa - Masa is a key ingredient in making corn tortillas because it is made from "nixtamalized corn," which means it has been treated with an alkaline solution to break down its hull and release its nutrients. Do not use cornmeal or regular corn flour.
- Water - It is a personal preference, but I like to use filtered water.
- Salt - Sea salt or kosher salt is best.
I love this easy-to-use tortilla press. It is made of cast iron and is really durable.
Tools Needed For Corn Tortillas:
To make corn tortillas from scratch you need two simple tools:
- Tortilla Press - I use the one pictured above. If you do not have a tortilla press, use a sturdy rolling pin.
- Plastic Bag. I use a zip-style plastic bag. Cut off the zip end, and then slice the bag along each of the sides to open it up. Many also like to use grocery bags as they are a little rougher in texture and easier for preventing the tortillas from sticking to the bag.
Tips For Sucess:
- Do NOT use wax paper to line the tortilla press. The corn tortilla dough will stick and it will be a mess.
- Dust the plastic bag in masa. You do not need to dust a lot of masa, but a little on both the top and bottom is important. You will need to do this a few times until the bag has a slight coating.
- Be sure your cast iron pan or skillet is hot.
- Do not use a lot of oil in your skillet. My cast iron skillet has a little oil on it that I put on after washing it to prevent rust. I do not add more oil than this.
Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
Step 1: Add the masa and salt to a large
Step 2: Prep your large baggie! Use sharp scissors to cut off the zipper seal edge and then cut up along each side of the baggie. Cut all the way up so it will open easily. Dust the inside of both the top and bottom halves with masa.
Start preheating your skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 3: Place the cut plastic bag on the tortilla press and open the baggie. Break off a piece of the dough and place it on the masa-dusted baggie. Dust a little more masa over the dough and pull the top piece of plastic bag over the dough ball.
Step 5: Close the lid of the tortilla press and fold the press arm over the round top. Press down.
Step 6: Open the tortilla press and peel up the top layer of plastic.
Step 7: Carefully place the uncovered tortilla side in your hand and use the other hand to peel the last side of the plastic wrap. Place the tortilla onto the hot skillet.
Step 8: Cook for 3-4 minutes until you notice a few char marks on the underside of the tortilla, then flip it over. I cook no more than two tortillas at a time so they all cook evenly.
Step 9: Use a metal spatula to flip the corn tortilla over. Often when flipped the tortilla will puff up with air. This is normal. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the underside is charred.
Step 10: Move the cooked tortillas to a tortilla warmer or large plate. Repeat the process until all of the masa dough is cooked.
Serve them with my Chili Shakshuka!
Delicious Corn Tortilla Fillings:
Fill your corn tortillas with taco meat or one of these tasty fillings. You can also break the corn tortillas up to cook in the migas!
Recipe FAQ:
King Arthur Masa and Maseca make gluten free masa. I am not sure if all masa brands are gluten free. It is possible some masa is produced on shared lines with wheat. Always check the label and with the manufacturer to ensure the masa you buy is gluten free.
Yes, you can use a rolling pin. I would still recommend putting the dough into the baggie for rolling so it doesn't stick to your counter or silicone mat.
Yes, I love when the tortillas bubble up! It helps keep them light.
Store leftover corn tortillas in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them. I recommend putting wax paper between each tortilla before freezing to prevent them from sticking together.
More Gluten Free Dinner Ideas:
- Chicken Taco Soup
- Ground Pork Chili
- Mexican Meatloaf Burgers
- Use this Grilled Mahi Mahi to make fish tacos.
📖 Recipe
How to Make Gluten Free Corn Tortillas From Scratch
Ingredients
- 2 cups corn masa * see notes
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspon salt
Instructions
- Add the masa and salt to a large mixing bowl. Use a whisk to blend them together. Add the water to the bowl of masa and mix into a soft dough.
- Prep a large quart-sized plastic baggie! Use sharp scissors to cut off the zipper seal edge and then cut up along each side of the baggie. Cut all the way up so it will open easily. Dust the inside of both the top and bottom halves with masa.
- Preheat your skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place the cut plastic bag on the tortilla press and open the baggie. Break off a piece of the dough and place it on the masa-dusted baggie. Dust a little more masa over the dough and pull the top piece of plastic bag over the dough ball.
- lose the lid of the tortilla press and fold the press arm over the round top. Press down on the lever.
- Open the tortilla press and carefully peel up the top layer of plastic.
- Carefully place the uncovered tortilla side in your hand and use the other hand to peel the last side of the plastic wrap. Place the tortilla onto the hot skillet.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes until you notice a few char marks on the underside of the tortilla, then flip it over. I cook no more than two tortillas at a time so they all cook evenly.
- Use a metal spatula to flip the corn tortilla over. Often when flipped the tortilla will puff up with air. This is normal. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the underside is charred.
- Move the cooked tortillas to a tortilla warmer or large plate. Repeat the process until all of the masa dough is cooked.
Notes
- Be sure the masa you use is gluten free. King Arthur Masa and Maseca brands are gluten free.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze these homemade corn tortillas in a freezer-safe freezer zip bag. I recommend adding a piece of wax paper between each tortilla so they don't stick together.
- Do NOT use wax paper to line the tortilla press. The corn tortilla dough will stick and it will be a mess.
- Dust the plastic bag in masa. You do not need to dust a lot of masa, but a little on both the top and bottom is important. You will need to do this a few times until the bag has a slight coating.
- Be sure your cast iron pan or skillet is hot.
- Do not use a lot of oil in your skillet. My cast iron skillet has a little oil on it that I put on after washing it to prevent rust. I do not add more oil than this.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
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