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Homemade Corn Tortillas – with step by step photos

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Making your own Homemade Corn Tortillas is an easy way to add more homemade deliciousness to taco night with your very own, hot-off-the-pan corn tortillas!

A step by step guide on how to make the best corn tortillas you’ll ever eat, and only 3 ingredients!!

Homemade Corn Tortillas in a blue napkin with cilantro, limes and tomatoes

Everyone has tacos on Tuesday, right? Why not kick your weekly habit up a notch with these homemade corn tortillas?

I have to admit – if given the choice between flour and corn tortillas, I almost ALWAYS opt for flour. Something about store-bought corn tortillas didn’t strike me as terribly fabulous. Rubbery, and kind of flavorless – I didn’t see the point. Turns out I was missing out – only because I hadn’t yet attempted to make my own! This is of a technique than a complicated recipe, these have a lovely pronounced corn flavor to complete your meal.

I live in Phoenix, so I have easy access to Mexican grocery stores, restaurants and food trucks. I first began making my own corn tortillas when watching a lady in the store making tortillas to order for customers to purchase and take home. She was like a dream to watch, mix, roll, press, cook, flip and wrap.

I finally got up the courage to ask her for her hot tips on how to make tortillas, and she laughed!! Not really AT me, but because to her – it was like an automatic function. She grew up watching her mother make them, and gained the skill as she got older and began cooking for her own family. She showed me how to mix the dough, and how it should “feel” when it was ready to be rolled into balls and cooked. Showed me the proper heat, and how to keep them warm and soft. I did not grow up with a mama who made tortillas, but I feel like she was an excellent substitute!

I have been making my own ever since, and always keep a bag masa flour in the pantry, in case taco fever strikes (it does, about once a week actually!) Flour tortilla lovers – try these corn tortillas at home and let me know if you are a convert, like me!

3 Ingredients!!

  • Instant Yellow Corn Masa Flour –  also known as masa harina, buy this with the regular flour in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, or grab it from Amazon.
  • Water – you’ll want this to be hot water – not boiling, as you’ll be handling the dough soon after mixing, but hot from the tap.
  • Sal

FAQs and Top Tips for making Tortillas

  • Are corn tortillas gluten free? Yes! As long as you check the product you use – the masa harina is gluten free (as is water and salt) 
  • How to make corn tortillas without a press? Just grab a rolling pin, and roll out to a very thin, even circle. It will take longer, but homemade tortillas are so worth it!
  • How to keep homemade corn tortillas soft – humidity is your friend! Using a tortilla warmer is a good option, but wrapping in a clean towel will also do the same job. If you make them ahead, just heat in the microwave wrapped in a paper towel
  • Keep the dough covered while cooking the tortillas.
  • If the dough gets dry, add some more water. Too wet? Add a little more masa.
  • Flip the tortillas when you start seeing brown spots.

Equipment notes for Homemade Corn Tortillas:

  • TORTILLA PRESS – You don’t NEED a tortilla press for this, but it sure is handy and makes quick work out of the task of rolling them out. You can get them online (or if you live in Phoenix, many grocery stores carry them. Mine is made of heavy plastic, but the aluminum/cast iron kind are super cool too, and are less than $15 to buy (like this Tortilla Press)
  • TORTILLA WARMER – A tortilla warmer is also pretty handy – it keeps them warm, and makes them soft and pliable, ready to use. If you don’t have one, a towel will work just fine – just keep them covered WELL.
  • CAST IRON SKILLET – I’ve used a non stick skillet before, but much prefer the even heating of my cast iron. I use my smaller one for this, and it’s perfect (10.5 Inch Cast Iron Skillet – under $15)
Homemade Corn Tortillas Step by Step pictures

How to make Corn Tortillas

MAKING THE DOUGH

  1. In a large bowl, add the corn masa and the salt and mix well.
  2. Add the hot water, and mix into a soft dough (it should be about as firm as a soft cookie dough).
  3. Add more water if needed.
  4. Line a tortilla press with a zip lock bag (I just cut down the sides). Sheets of plastic wrap, parchment paper and wax paper also works well.
  5. Divide the dough into roughly 20 dough balls.
  6. Place 1 ball onto the lined tortilla press and …. press.

COOKING THE TORTILLAS

  1. Carefully remove the tortilla from the press, and add to a large cast iron pan or large skillet – heated at medium-high heat.
  2. Let the tortilla cook about 30 seconds, until the edges look like they’re drying… then flip
  3. Cook a further 45-60 seconds, then flip again – the tortilla will puff up.
  4. Add tortilla to a towel-lined tortilla warmer.
  5. Repeat with remaining balls of dough.
corn tortillas in a blue cloth napkin

Want some ideas on how to use your fresh corn tortillas?

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corn tortillas in a blue cloth napkin

Homemade Corn Tortillas

Homemade Corn Tortillas is an easy way to add more homemade deliciousness to taco night with your very own, hot-off-the-pan corn tortillas!
4.88 from 8 votes
Print Pin
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Mexican, Southwestern
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 20
Calories: 41kcal
Author: Kylee Cooks
Want to scale this recipe?Simply click on the serving amount and move the slider up or down – the recipe will automatically adjust!

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add the corn masa and the salt and mix well.
  • Add the hot water, and mix into a soft dough (it should be about as firm as cookie dough).
  • Add more water if needed.
  • Line a tortilla press with a zip lock bag (I just cut down the sides)
  • Divide the dough into roughly 20 dough balls
  • Place 1 ball onto the lined tortilla press and …. press.
  • Carefully remove the tortilla from the press, and add to a medium hot cast iron skillet.
  • Let the tortilla cook about 30 seconds, until the edges look like they’re drying… then flip
  • Cook a further 45-60 seconds, then flip again – the tortilla will puff up.
  • Add tortilla to a towel line tortilla warmer.
  • Repeat with remaining dough balls.

Notes

  • Are corn tortillas gluten free? Yes! As long as you check the product you use – the masa harina is gluten free (as is water and salt) 
  • How to make corn tortillas without a press? Just grab a rolling pin, and roll out to a very thin, even circle. It will take longer, but homemade tortillas are so worth it!
  • How to keep homemade corn tortillas soft – humidity is your friend! Using a tortilla warmer is a good option, but wrapping in a clean towel will also do the same job. If you make them ahead, just heat in the microwave wrapped in a paper towel.
  • Keep the dough covered while cooking the tortillas.
  • If the dough gets dry, add some more water. Too wet? Add a little more masa.
  • Flip the tortillas when you start seeing brown spots. 

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 117mg | Potassium: 29mg | Vitamin A: 25IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @kyleecooks or tag #kyleecooks!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I absolutely LOVE corn tortillas. I so much prefer them to the flour ones. I have always wanted to learn how to make them, but have been intimated by the process. You make it look so easy. Perhaps I should try after all. When corn tortillas are fresh, they are all the better!

    Reply

  2. Yum Tacos!! I have to admit, I think I’m going to like your blog because I am not the best cook (even though my mom also included me in the kitchen from a young age) and sometimes I get stuck making the same meals OVER and OVER again.

    I’m excited to try some of your suggestions!

    Reply

    • I hope you find something you like here, Erin! I think most of my recipes are pretty easy and quick – just right for the beginner cook!

  4. I do hear you! I Never likes tortillas unless I was eating them in a restaurant that house made them. So by default I never like tortillas until I made them at home and corn tortillas are my absolute favorite. Taco Everyday 😀

    Reply

  5. Such a good idea! I love making Mexican food at home (one of my favorites!), but I’ve never attempted to make homemade corn tortillas before. In fact, it never even crossed my mind as something I could do! I will have to bookmark this and give it a try.

    Stopping by from the blog hop!

    Reply

    • I wouldn’t know, Jessie – we scarf the entire batch in one taco eating session.

      I’d assume they’d be good for a few days, reheated in a microwave, and kept in a towel to prevent drying.

    • I feel the same way, Rebecca Jo! I like them when they’re hot and fresh. The corn tortillas are definitely healthier, the flour ones have… lard. Which isn’t a reason not to make them, because…. yummy – but if you are watching your intake for health reasons, corn is the way to go!

  9. I do like having corn tortillas to snack on when I am at home watching movies, it makes lots of sense to make them hot yourself instead of buying them… Thanks for sharing the recipe!

    Reply

    • Thanks, Julie – you’re already halfway there if you have the press! The key to keeping them soft and pliable and yummy is the humidity – either in a towel, or the warmer – it’s essential to the final product! Thanks for stopping by!

    • I ALWAYS fry the store bought ones to warm them. But there’s something so much home-ier about making them yourself, right?

  15. I used to dislike corn tortillas too. However, over time I have come to like them a lot! In fact often times I choose them over a flour tortilla. I am terrible in the kitchen so I think I will just have to buy them for now! I may have to change my menu for tonight! Your tacos look amazing and I want those now!

    Reply

    • I just dislike store bought corn tortillas. I love them hot and fresh from my own pan, though! Thanks for stopping by!

    • Thanks for stopping by, Wendy! They’re so easy to make yourself. Save yourself a grocery store trip, make your own – and be a hero at taco night.

    • Thanks for stopping by! I think making the tortillas from scratch sends mexican food night to the next level!

    • Oh don’t be intimidated! Super easy, and very um… forgiving… when (I mean if) you mess up. Just roll it up and try again! Thanks for stopping by!

    • I LOVE flour, but they’re harder to make by hand than corn. There you go. Dirty little secret revealed…. lol

  21. Wow, I’ve never made my own corn tortillas, but these look better than store bought… I need to try them because my dad is gluten free! Hi from the Blog Hop! Thank you for sharing this recipe. 🙂 And I would love to visit New Zealand someday. 🙂

    Reply

    • Thanks, Emily – give them a try, for sure! (You should totally go to NZ – it’s gorgeous and lots of fun). Thank you for stopping by!

  22. Well look at that!! These look so easy to make!!!! Thanks….now on have to go get a press and a warmer. I will send my husband to you when he asks why I needed them-lol!!!

    Reply

    • While those things aren’t ESSENTIAL – they sure are great. If you have to choose, get the press over the warmer. Although – I picked up my warmer for a couple of dollars at a mexican grocery store. But the press is a game changer.

  24. Mmm this excites me! I never really learned to cook quite like you, but I always helped my grandmother with little things. It was kind of hard to learn from her because she only spoke Spanish and I spoke English but I loved hovering over her still. And she always let us lick the beaters too 😀
    I’m actually a flour tortilla kind of girl as well! So looking forward to trying these homemade tortillas, granted I’m not sure how well they will turn out! But I am pinning for sure to give a try when I muster up the courage to get into the kitchen and experiment!

    https://curlycaroline.wordpress.com/

    Reply

  26. I’ve made flour tortillas before but never corn ones. I should probably change that, because I love corn tortillas. Thanks for the recipe and technique, Kylee!

    Reply

  30. Wow Kylee! Corn tortillas are a must try for me as we find them here in Dubai but they are pretty expensive (the whole wheat ones are not as expensive but the pure cornmeal ones are). My kids love tacos and I am going to try and make my own tortillas henceforth! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  37. I recently moved away from the southwest and have been missing the yummy bakery tortillas! These look super easy (and healthy) so I’m going to give them a try.

    Reply

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