Kefir Flour Tortillas (A Cast Iron Skillet Recipe) (2024)

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Kefir tortillas are a fun and delicious way to use up an abundance of kefir. Learn how to make this simple cast iron skillet tortilla recipe, but be warned: you won’t want to buy the ones from the store anymore!

Kefir Flour Tortillas (A Cast Iron Skillet Recipe) (1)

MAKING KEFIR FLOUR TORTILLAS FROM SCRATCH

Confession time: I grew up on store bought tortillas. Making tortillas from scratch wasn’t something my parents had time for, so growing up, I never considered that people actually made their own from start to finish.

The first time I ever encountered homemade tortillas was when my husband, Big Papa–my boyfriend at the time–was feeling ambitious for a Superbowl party potluck. His contribution was tequila lime flank steak tacos, but going the extra mile, he made a batch of homemade tortillas. This isn’t a happy tale.

CAST IRON SKILLET KEFIR TORTILLAS RECIPE VIDEO

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THE UNHAPPY TORTILLA TALE

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As you are about to learn, once the dough is properly divided and balled up, it needs to rest for a short period of time. This gives the gluten ample time to develop. Gluten development makes the dough easier to manipulate, so you’re able to stretch it out to whatever size you want.

Anyhow, Big Papa didn’t say anything about making tortillas and his dough balls were resting on the counter, the gluten relaxing. This was unfortunate because shortly after, Doe-Eyed Sylvia entered the kitchen. Spotting the rolls, she preheated the oven and lovingly baked them, not bothering to communicate with her boyfriend. This was the wrong move because they made lousy rolls (unlike these crispy kaiser rolls) that went directly into the compost bin. As for Big Papa, he had to start all over again. Lesson learned!

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MAKING TORTILLAS FROM SCRATCH IS SATISFYING

Being an advocate of simple living, I find joy in the smallest things, and making tortillas from scratch is one of them. There’s something cozy and hygge-like about taking the time to make flatbread by hand. It’s the same thing with soft naan bread. It’s easy to go out and buy a pack from Costco or the grocery store, but they pale in comparison to what comes out of my trusty cast iron pan.

Not only are the ingredients pure, but I prepare them with love. It’s the heart that shines through. I love every step of the process, the kneading, the dividing, and the rolling. My favourite part is watching the tortillas bubble and puff up in my hot skillet.

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WHY KEFIR TORTILLAS?

If you’re not new to the Kitchen, then you’ll know all about my obsession with milk kefir. I have a jar in my kitchen cupboard that I feed every couple of days, but I yield more than I use up because I’m not a dutiful milk kefir drinker like my Dad. He’s the one who’s responsible for my love of kefir. A collection of jars of milk kefir can be found in my fridge at any given time, so I am constantly trying to find ways to sneak it into my recipes.

HOW DO KEFIR TORTILLAS TASTE?

Most of my smoothies get the kefir treatment. Like my easy kefir pancakes, cheesy breakfast biscuits, tangy ranch dip, and sesame naan. It was only a matter of time before kefir tortillas became a thing in my kitchen, and guess what? They’re delicious. They give the subtlest tang to the tortillas that’s reminiscent of sourdough.

One day I’ll hop on the sourdough train, but first I need to develop a sourdough starter that respects me. If I can keep a vegetable garden and a kefir culture alive, sourdough shouldn’t be a problem, right?

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WHAT CAN I USE KEFIR TORTILLAS FOR?

Kefir tortillas can be used for anything regular tortillas are used for. Make them for your next taco night. Use them to whip up a batch of cheesy chicken quesadillas or a jacked burrito. Wrap an eggy breakfast in the safe tangy folds of these tortillas, or bake them to get healthy chips for a taco salad. I like making large tortillas, but you can make them as big or small as you like. If you like them on the small side, they’d make a great foundation for tostadas.

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HAVE YOU MADE TORTILLAS BEFORE?

I’m curious. Have you ever tried your hand at making your own tortillas before? If so, have you ever tried making them with kefir? If making tortillas from scratch is a whole new world for you to explore, I hope you tag me in a picture on Instagram when you make them! Also, please let me know your favourite way to use tortillas in the comments below. Did I miss anything?

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Cast iron sk i llet
Rolling pin (or a tortilla press)

CAST IRON KEFIR TORTILLAS RECIPE

Makes 8 large tortillas

2 cups all purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

3 tbsp avocado oil

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup milk kefir

pinch of salt

CAST IRON KEFIR TORTILLAS INSTRUCTIONS

Work all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl using a dough scraper or pastry cutter.
Once everything is combined, knead the dough until a smooth dough has formed.
Divide the dough into 8 even pieces and roll into balls.
Cover the dough and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
On a floured surface, roll out each dough ball to the desired size (or better yet, use a tortilla press if you have one!).
Heat a dry cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the first tortilla.
Flip the tortilla once it’s bubbled up, and remove from the pan after it puffs up, or until you’re satisfied.
Repeat.

PRINTABLE KEFIR TORTILLAS RECIPE CARD

Cast Iron Skillet Kefir Tortillas

Kefir tortillas are a fun and delicious way to use up an abundance of kefir. Learn how to make this simple cast iron skillet tortilla recipe, but be warned: you won't want to buy the ones from the store anymore!

Print RecipePin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Resting Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 8 tortillas

Equipment

Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour plus extra for dusting
3 tbsp avocado oil
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup milk kefir
pinch of salt

Instructions

Work all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl using a dough scraper or pastry cutter.
Once everything is combined, knead the dough until a smooth dough has formed.
Divide the dough into 8 even pieces and roll into balls.
Cover the dough and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
On a floured surface, roll out each dough ball to the desired size.
Heat a dry cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the first tortilla.
Flip the tortilla once it’s bubbled up, and remove from the pan after it puffs up, or until you’re satisfied.
Repeat.

Keyword Cast Iron Recipes, kefir, Tortillas

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Kefir Flour Tortillas (A Cast Iron Skillet Recipe) (8)

Love and gratitude,

Kefir Flour Tortillas (A Cast Iron Skillet Recipe) (9)

Kefir Flour Tortillas (A Cast Iron Skillet Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

How do you make tortillas in a cast iron skillet? ›

Stick with cast-iron, if you have it. Heat your pan over medium-high heat. There's no need to add any oil. Cook the tortilla until brown spots appear on the bottom, 1 to 2 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side.

Get More Info Here ›

What kind of pan is best for flour tortillas? ›

If you don't have a comal at home, you can use a grill, cast iron plate, or nonstick pan to make tortillas. These cookwares will still evenly heat the tortillas to help them come out perfectly.

Why are tortilla presses cast iron? ›

Ease of Cleaning

A tortilla press should make your life easier, not more complicated, so it's nice to find one that is durable and wipes it down without much fuss, such as cast iron. While some tortilla presses are dishwasher-safe, most require hand cleaning.

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How hot should a skillet be for tortillas? ›

To find out, I grabbed my infrared thermometer and measured the temperature of the skillet while cooking the remaining tortillas. And indeed, what I found was the best tortillas came out of a 500°F (260°C) skillet; anything less, and the tortillas were significantly less soft and chewy.

Find Out More ›

What is the best oil for pan frying tortillas? ›

Best oil for frying: If you are frying corn tortillas, corn oil is the best choice. You can also use basic vegetable oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, or sunflower seed oil. You want a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point. Make sure the oil is hot enough.

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What is a tortilla cast-iron pan called? ›

A comal is a smooth, flat griddle typically used in Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America, to cook tortillas and arepas, toast spices and nuts, sear meat, and generally prepare food. Similar cookware is called a budare in South America.

Know More ›

What is the best skillet for cooking tortillas? ›

It's best to cook tortillas on cast iron - like a cast iron griddle, which is what I use, or a cast iron skillet. You can cook more at a time on the griddle. If I have a lot to make, I use my griddle and both of my skillets, but it's hard for one person to keep up with that many at a time.

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What is the healthiest tortilla? ›

When it comes to nutrition, corn tortillas have the advantage of being made from whole grains, with fewer calories, sodium, and carbs but more fiber than flour tortillas. They're also gluten-free. As for cooking and eating, some people complain that corn tortillas break easily.

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How do you seal flour tortillas for frying? ›

Use your finger or a basting brush to wipe a thin layer of the flour paste along either the entire edge of the tortilla half or over one-third of the surface. Fold the tortilla half over a third of the way, then roll into a cone shape, keeping the ends close together and pressing everything together to seal.

Get More Info ›

Do I need to season a cast iron tortilla press? ›

This means washing and scrubbing with water, drying completely with a cloth, and then rubbing a small amount of flaxseed oil (or other neutral oil) onto the whole thing to season as you would any cast-iron cookware. It comes pre-seasoned, but you're going to have to keep that seasoning up.

What is the best masa harina for tortillas? ›

The most popular brand of masa harina is, by far, Maseca. The Maseca brand is so ubiquitous that many people simply refer to all masa harina as Maseca (much like band-aid, Xerox, or Kleenex). Now, while Maseca makes a perfectly serviceable tortilla, there is some untapped potential here. Enter: Masienda.

What's better, aluminum or cast iron tortilla press? ›

Resilience and Durability

Cast iron is generally the strongest, capable of lasting several years at a time with the proper care. However, these items are susceptible to rust and can crack with large amounts of concussive force. Aluminum is a much softer metal, making it easier to dent in during daily operations.

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Why put baking powder in tortillas? ›

Baking powder: Baking powder acts as a leavener, giving the tortillas a slightly pillowy texture. Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the flour tortillas. Lard: Lard, a common baking ingredient in Mexican cuisine, adds flavor and helps create the perfect flour tortilla texture.

Keep Reading ›

What size frying pan is best for tortilla? ›

For a small frying pan we would suggest using a 20-23cm (8-9-inch) frying pan. It needs to have deep sides and also to have a handle that can potentially take the heat from the grill. A skillet would also be a good option. Anything larger than 23 cm could be used but the omelette will be on the skinny side.

Learn More Now ›

Can you cook tacos in a cast iron skillet? ›

The beauty of a cast iron is that it can brown meat very nicely. My tip for cooking the ground beef is to make sure to give the cast iron time to warm up before adding anything to the skillet. Yet, cast iron isn't required for this recipe—use whatever pan you have, but make sure you get something to cover it!