Easy Homemade Corn Tortillas from Scratch
A simple and authentic recipe for making soft, flexible corn tortillas from scratch using masa harina, water, and salt. Perfect for tacos, quesadillas, and more.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 tortillas 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (240 g) masa harina
- 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) warm water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or melted butter
Instructions
- Combine 2 cups (240 g) masa harina and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl until evenly distributed.
- Gradually add about 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) warm water to the masa while mixing with your hand or spoon until dough starts to come together (2-3 minutes). Add more water by tablespoon if too dry.
- Knead the dough by hand for 3-4 minutes until soft but not sticky. Adjust with masa harina or water as needed.
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let rest for 20-30 minutes to hydrate.
- Divide dough into golf ball-sized pieces (about 1.5 ounces / 45 g each) and roll into smooth balls. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying.
- Line a tortilla press with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Place a dough ball in the center and press firmly to flatten into a 6-inch (15 cm) tortilla.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat until hot (2-3 minutes). Cook tortilla for 30-45 seconds until edges lift and brown spots appear. Flip and cook the other side for 30 seconds. Flip once more briefly to puff the tortilla.
- Stack cooked tortillas in a clean kitchen towel to keep warm and moist. Serve immediately or store for later.
Notes
Use lukewarm water to hydrate the masa properly without cooking it prematurely. Resting the dough for 20-30 minutes improves pliability. If tortillas crack, add more water next time and avoid pressing too thin. Keep skillet well-seasoned if using cast iron for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tortilla (6-inch d
- Calories: 65
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1.5
Keywords: corn tortillas, homemade tortillas, masa harina, gluten-free tortillas, easy tortillas, Mexican recipe, tortilla press