Our Best Recipe For Homemade Tortillas Using Masa Harina
Our Best Recipe For Homemade Tortillas Using Masa Harina
December 27, 2022
A bag of our masa harina (also known as masa flour or nixtamalized corn flour), plus water, a trusty tortilla press and a can-do attitude are all you need to make perfect corn tortillas at home. While a homemade loaf of sourdough takes hours (if not days) to achieve, homemade tortillas can be ready in mere minutes!
Tortilla-Making Tips:
- Not getting a puff? For additional hydration during the tortilla cooking process, we recommend using a spray bottle/mister to lightly hydrate each side of the tortilla (to prevent dryness and cracking). If you don't have a mister, just fill a little cup with water and use your fingers to flick droplets of water onto your tortilla.
- *Warm water (~100 degrees F, or the hot setting on your faucet) is recommended for mixing your masa, in order to begin blooming the natural flavor of the masa and to fully activate the small bits of pericarp (corn skin) in the masa flour (which help the masa bind, naturally).
- Water can be substituted with other liquids such as stocks, broths, juices etc., depending on the desired flavor. Salt and/or spices may also be added. Masienda respects tradition while encouraging creativity for all cooks.
- Want to make tortillas ahead of time? While best enjoyed fresh for tacos, leftover tortillas are great for other applications such as enchiladas, quesadillas, tostadas, and totopos (chips). To store tortillas, make sure they have cooled completely. Then place them in an airtight container, or tightly wrapped in plastic, in your refrigerator for up to a week. Storing warm tortillas before they’ve cooled, may cause condensation which can lead to mold.
All Comments
Hi Jeffrey, thanks so much for the feedback! 450°F should generally be in the right range, though every stove and cooking surface behaves a bit differently. We typically recommend somewhere between 400–500°F and looking more for visual cues than exact timing. Before the first flip, the tortilla edges should start looking more matte than shiny and release easily from the pan. If it’s sticking, it likely needs a few more seconds. You may also find your setup works a bit better closer to 460–475°F. The goal is to cook the tortilla quickly enough to trap steam in the center while still fully cooking the masa.
Hi,
We love your masa but find that 30-30-30 seconds is not enough time to thoroughly cook them. Your recipe calls for a pan a medium high heat and we have been using our gas griddle at 450*
What is the temperature of your pan?
Thanks. Jeff
Hi Barbie! While tortillas made from Heirloom Corn Masa Harina are best enjoyed fresh for tacos, leftover tortillas are great for other applications such as enchiladas, quesadillas, tostadas, and totopos (chips). To store tortillas, make sure they have cooled completely. Then place them in an airtight container, or tightly wrapped in plastic, in your refrigerator for up to a week. Storing warm tortillas before they’ve cooled, may cause condensation which can lead to mold.
Hi Bruce! So happy to hear you’ve received our masa harina and are planning to try out some recipes. Here’s a link to all of our enchilada recipes: https://masienda.com/blogs/learn/tagged/enchiladas
Can you make ahead for same day meal?