Why Are My Flour Tortillas Hard? 3 Common Reasons

There’s nothing worse than biting into an overly hard tortilla. Whether you buy them from the store or make them at home, flour tortillas can get hard if not stored and handled properly. But why does this happen? Let’s take a look at some of the common causes of hard flour tortillas and find out what you can do to prevent it from happening in the future. 

Moisture Loss 

The most common reason why your flour tortillas become hard is moisture loss. 

This happens when the tortillas are exposed to air, such as when you leave them out on a countertop for too long or fail to store them properly in an airtight container once they’ve been cooked. 

To prevent this moisture loss, be sure to store your cooked flour tortillas in an air-tight container until ready to use. 

If you’re planning on storing them for longer periods of time, consider freezing them instead. This will help keep them soft and pliable. 

Oil Content 

Another factor that can cause your flour tortillas to become hard is if there isn’t enough oil content in the recipe. While oil is necessary for adding flavor and texture, too much can also lead to a greasy result that won’t hold up well over time. 

The best way to ensure that your tortillas have just enough oil content is by using a recipe that has been tested and perfected over time — one with just the right amount of fat added for maximum flavor and texture without making it too heavy or greasy. 

Cooking Temperature 

Finally, cooking temperature plays an important role in how soft or hard your flour tortillas turn out. 

If your heat source is too high, it can cause the outside of the tortilla to cook faster than the inside resulting in a stiffer texture overall. 

To avoid this, be sure to use low-medium heat while cooking your tortillas so they cook evenly throughout without burning or drying out. 

FAQs

Why are my flour tortillas cracking?

Cracking can occur in flour tortillas for a few different reasons. The most common cause is that the dough is too dry, and as it’s rolled out and cooked, it shrinks faster than the flexible gluten network can stretch. 

This causes the edges of the tortilla to split during preparation or while they cook. To avoid this, make sure your dough is nice and moist by adding enough water (or other liquid) to the flour. 

Another common cause of cracking is using too much flour when rolling out the tortillas. This makes them dry and brittle, and more likely to crack during preparation or cooking. To avoid this, use as little flour as possible when rolling out the tortillas. If you must use more flour, make sure to brush off the excess before cooking. 

Finally, if your tortillas still crack despite following these tips, you may need to adjust the recipe itself. Try adding some vegetable shortening or lard for a softer texture and a pliable dough that won’t crack as easily. With the right adjustments, you should be able to enjoy perfectly cooked tortillas every time! 

Another way to prevent cracking is by not rolling out the tortilla dough too thin. The thinner the dough, the more brittle it will become, making it more likely to break apart during preparation or cooking. If your tortillas are coming out too thin and brittle, try rolling the dough out to a thicker thickness. This will help make them more pliable and less likely to crack. 

Finally, if your tortillas are still cracking despite following these tips, you may need to adjust the recipe itself. Try adding some vegetable shortening or lard for a softer texture and a pliable dough that won’t crack as easily. 

How to make fluffy tortillas?

Making fluffy tortillas at home is easier than you might think. You just need a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen tools to create delicious, homemade tortillas that are light, airy, and full of flavor. 

To start, gather the necessary ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, vegetable oil or shortening, and warm water. Then, combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Add the oil or shortening to the mixture and use your hands to work it in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 

Next, slowly add the warm water to the mixture, stirring until everything is evenly combined. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. If it’s too wet, add a bit more flour. Once you’ve achieved the right consistency, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for about 15 minutes.

After that, divide the dough into 10-12 equal portions and shape them into balls. Cover them with a kitchen towel to prevent them from drying out. On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll each ball into thin circles, about 6-7 inches in diameter.

Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and fry the tortillas one at a time, flipping them every few seconds until they are lightly browned on both sides. Transfer the cooked tortillas to a plate lined with paper towels. Enjoy your homemade fluffy tortillas while they are still warm! 

You can also store the cooked tortillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Reheat them in a pan over medium heat or wrap them in foil and bake in the oven until warmed through. 

Read more: Why Did My Banana Bread Sink In The Middle?

Conclusion

Making perfect flour tortillas doesn’t have to be difficult! By understanding some of the common causes of hard tortillas—moisture loss, oil content, and cooking temperature—you’ll be able to prevent this problem from happening in the future. With just a few easy steps you’ll be able enjoy soft and delicious homemade flour tortillas every time!

References:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0733521002905096

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jfq.12080