These delicious, soft and chewy whole wheat tortillas are so easy to make and will save you a fortune on store bought ones. Delicious for homemade wraps and tacos, you can make the exact amount you need, so there is no food waste. These are so much better than store bought ones and so easy to make too.
These are really simple to make - all done in one bowl and one pan and something we make every week for lunches and to go with dinner. If you haven't tried homemade whole wheat tortillas before, then you are missing out. The taste and texture is far superior to store bought ones, and they are far easier to make than you think.
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Why you will love them
- Cheap - These are super budget friendly and cost just pennies to make yourself. You probably have most of the ingredients in the cupboard already, so no need to buy anything fancy.
- No waste - I don't know about you, but I usually end up throwing away a couple of store bought ones from the pack. We never eat them in time, so they go hard. With this recipe, you can make exactly how many you need, so there is no waste.
- Minimal ingredients - You only have to look at the ingredients list on store bought ones to know they have lots of added ingredients. Just 6 ingredients go in to these, so no hidden additives.
- Easy - These are so easy to make, they are a great recipe for kids to help get involved with. They will love getting their hands messy mixing everything up, and then they can help roll out the tortillas too.
Ingredients needed
- Flour - We have used both whole wheat flour and plain flour in these tortillas. Although these are whole wheat tortillas, we don't love the texture when they are made with just whole wheat flour. Adding some plain flour lightens them up a little and makes them a bit more fluffy.
- Baking powder - This helps them to puff up in the pan and give them the nice charred bubbles.
- Salt - A pinch of sea salt adds lots of flavour.
- Oil and water - This will help to loosen up the dough and make it nice and smooth.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step by step
One: Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
Two: Pour in the olive oil and using your hands, mix until you get a crumbly mixture.
Three: Add the water a little at a time. continue mixing until a smooth dough is formed.
Four: Divide into 5 equal pieces. On a floured surface, roll each piece of dough into a circle around 22cm/9 inch in diameter.
Five: Heat a frying pan (no oil) until hot - this will take 4-5 minutes. Cook each tortilla for 2 minutes each side.
Health benefits
Homemade tortillas are always going to be healthier than store bought ones, as they are freshly made with no hidden nasties to help store them. Just a few store cupboard staples and you have homemade tortillas that are a little bit chewier than store bought ones, but still easy to fold for a range of uses.
Whole wheat tortillas have more fibre in them than white flour or corn, and this will help you to feel fuller for longer. The calories are fairly similar to other store bought wraps though.
How to use them
The great thing about these whole wheat tortillas is that there are so many different ways to use them. Anything you would use a store bought wrap for, you can use these. If you are using them for Mexican recipes, we would recommend sticking to tacos, rather than burritos, as these homemade whole wheat tortillas aren't quite as bendable.
Why not keep it simple by filling them with your favourite sandwich ingredients like Roast Chicken, Hummus or Falafel.
If you want to try one of Mexican recipes that include wraps, then we suggest Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos. Shredded Beef Tacos, Easy Halloumi Fajitas, Cajun Steak Tacos or Easy Fish Tacos.
FAQs
Yes, these are great for batch cooking as they store really well. You can keep them in an air tight container and they will store for 5 days.
Yes, these freeze really well. Just make sure to put a layer of baking paper in between each tortilla otherwise they will stick together. You can then put them in a freezer bag.
After these have been cooked and stored, you will need to reheat them a little to make them easier to fold. You can either do this in a pan or just put them in the microwave for 30 seconds.
We haven't tried a gluten free version of this. But you could try swapping the flour for your favourite gluten free brand. Do let us know in the comments if you try this.
Extra tips
• You need to use a really heavy based pan for this recipe.
• The pan needs to be very very hot for these to cook. Heat your pan for a good 4 minutes before you add a tortilla to it. This will help it to puff up and give it those bubbles.
• If you have a gas stove and want to give it a proper charred look, then hold each side of the tortilla over a flame for 30 seconds.
More bread recipes
If you’ve tried this whole wheat tortilla recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Whole Wheat Tortillas
Ingredients
- 170 g (1.5 cups) Whole wheat flour
- 70 g (0.5 cups) Plain flour
- 0.5 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Baking powder
- 1 pinch Sea salt
- 2 tablespoon Vegetable oil
- 150 ml (0.66 cups) Warm water - (boiled and allowed to cool)
Instructions
- Combine 70 g Plain flour, 170 g Whole wheat flour, 0.5 teaspoon Baking powder and 1 pinch Sea salt in a large bowl.
- Pour in 2 tablespoon Vegetable oil and using your hands, mix until you get a crumbly mixture.
- Add 150 ml Warm water a little at a time. continue mixing until a smooth dough is formed.
- Divide into 5 equal pieces. On a floured surface, roll each piece of dough into a circle around 22cm/9 inch in diameter.
- Heat a frying pan (no oil) until hot - this will take 4-5 minutes. Cook each tortilla for 2 minutes each side.
Recipe Tips
- The cook time is for one tortilla wrap. Cooking a larger amount will increase the cooking time, unless you have multiple pans heating simultaneously.
- You need to use a really heavy based pan for this recipe.
- The pan needs to be very very hot for these to cook. Heat your pan for a good 4 minutes before you add a tortilla to it. This will help it to puff up and give it those bubbles.
- If you have a gas stove and want to give it a proper charred look, then hold each side of the tortilla over a flame for 30 seconds.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Beth says
We love this recipe and making these in a big batch! So glad I can freeze these. Perfect for taco night and quesadillas!
Carrie Robinson says
So clever to make your own tortillas! And healthier than store bought too. :)
Stephanie says
These are amazing! I love the idea of holding it over the gas flame for a few seconds. These are much better than store-bought tortillas.
Pam says
I had no idea tortillas were so easy to make... and healthier than store bought to boot!
Suzy says
Really love how simple and easy these were to make! Homemade is the best!
Kristen says
These tortillas are great. So easy to make!
Lima Ekram says
Surprised at how soft they were - very tasty and easy to make
Elizabeth says
These tortillas are so delicious and surprisingly easy to make! We loved them!
Karla says
Are these tortillas soft and bendable or do they go hard quickly?
Dannii says
They are soft and bendable.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I've not made these for so long. I really should make the effort. So good!
Platter Talk says
I'm so happy that I found this recipe. I didn't realize how easy these seem to make! A new project, for me. Thanks.
karen says
Hi Dannii, Iv just made these using spelt flour and they turned out great..
Dannii says
I am glad they worked with a different flour. Enjoy!
Marty says
So I tried making these using rye flour. No luck. Clearly not rye flour friendly. I will try again when I have some whole wheat flour.
Courtney says
Hi Dannii!
I follow you on FB and I LOVE your blog!!! :) I have a quick question on these tortillas. If your trying to get away from eating as much wheat as possible, is there an alternate flour that can be used?
Thank you for all you do to inspire and encourage us & also for the AMAZING recipes you share with us!!! You rock!!!
Bonnie gallant says
Found it thanks
Jen says
Do you think these would Freeze ok if I made up a larger batch and cooked then?
Dannii says
Yes, they freeze really well. Enjoy :)