Easy Recipe for Corn Tortillas

Written by
Elizabeth Yetter
Bread expert Elizabeth Yetter has been baking bread for more than 20 years, bringing her Pennsylvania Dutch Country experiences to life through recipes.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Elizabeth Yetter
Updated 07/30/19
Fajitas in corn tortillas
Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 60 mins
Total: 65 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
86 Calories
1g Fat
18g Carbs
2g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 86
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 244mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 7%
Dietary Fiber 2g 5%
Protein 2g
Calcium 36mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Corn tortillas are made from masa harina, meaning “dough flour.” This special flour is dried corn that has been soaked in limewater and finely ground.
The easiest way to make round tortillas is to purchase a tortilla press. This tool costs around $20 and can be found at online cooking stores.
This recipe makes twelve 5 to 5.5 inch tortillas that can be used immediately or frozen for later use.

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 cups masa harina
  • 1-1/4 tsp salt
  • 1-1/2 cups warm water

Steps to Make It

  1. In medium bowl, mix masa harina and salt.

  2. Slowly add water until the dough becomes smooth and firm, not sticky.

  3. Turn dough out onto board and divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll into balls.

  4. If you have a tortilla press, follow the tool’s instructions for flattening the tortillas.

  5. By hand, place a tortilla ball between two sheets of wax paper. Use rolling pin to roll dough out into a thin tortilla shape.

  6. To cook, place one tortilla at a time in a large ungreased frying pan. Cook over moderate hot heat for about one to two minutes on each side, or until each side is lightly browned.

  7. When finished cooking all the tortillas, wrap them together in aluminum foil and place in warm oven (about 300 degrees F) for 5 minutes.