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

Can you make tortillas in cast iron skillet? ›

You can make a small investment in a tortilla press, which will produce perfectly uniform rounds, or press the tortilla dough between sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper underneath a skillet. Traditionally, a comal (a flat griddle) is used to cook the formed tortillas, but a cast-iron pan works just as well.

Keep Reading ›

How to cook flour tortillas in a skillet? ›

How To Cook Flour Tortillas

Preheat a non-stick pan to medium heat No butter or oil required.
Place tortilla in pan for approximately 30 seconds until slightly golden and tortilla begins to puff.
Turn tortilla over, and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Cook thoroughly before eating.

Discover More Details ›

What is the best pan to make tortillas in? ›

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.

Learn More ›

How do you warm corn tortillas in a cast iron skillet? ›

Caption Options. You, the home cook, have two options. Both of these are easier with tongs, which allow you to turn and flip your tortillas quickly and easily without scorching your fingers. You can throw your tortillas in a cast iron skillet, warmed over medium-high heat, for about 15 to 30-ish seconds on each side.

What should be sprayed in the skillet before cooking the tortilla? ›

Heat a pan over high heat. Once hot, spray with cooking spray or rub with oil.

What kind of pan is best for flour tortillas? ›

If you try to substitute liquid oil you won't get very good results. A cast iron skillet or griddle is the ideal cooking medium for tortillas, but if you don't have cast iron you can use a heavy stainless steel pan or a ceramic-coated nonstick pan.

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.

Explore More ›

How long to cook tortillas in skillet? ›

In a greased cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook tortillas over medium heat until lightly browned, about 1 minute on each side. Serve warm.

Discover More ›

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.

Is it better to use butter or oil for tortillas? ›

Although traditionally made with lard, these tortillas are equally delicious using butter, shortening, or vegetable oil as the fat. If you choose to use oil, add it with the water in step 3. The resting period improves the texture of the dough by giving the flour time to absorb the water.

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How hot should 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.