Tortilla Tricks: The Art Of Flattening With A Cast Iron Pan

Tortillas are a type of flatbread that originated in Mexico and are traditionally made from corn or wheat flour. They can be purchased from a grocery store, but many people prefer the taste of homemade tortillas. A cast-iron pan is a popular choice for cooking tortillas, as it can create an even, high temperature without the need for oil.

To flatten tortillas with a cast-iron pan, you can use a tortilla press or a rolling pin. A tortilla press is a kitchen device that flattens dough into a thin, round shape. It typically consists of two heavy plates that apply pressure to the dough. To use a tortilla press, place a ball of dough between two pieces of wax paper or plastic wrap on the bottom plate, then close the top plate and apply gentle pressure. Rotate the dough and press again for a thinner, more uniform tortilla.

Alternatively, you can use a rolling pin to flatten the dough. Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic and use a cast-iron pan as a weight to flatten it. You can also try using the bottom of the pan as a roller, applying pressure to the dough with your hands.

Using a tortilla press to flatten tortillas

Using a tortilla press is a great way to save time and energy when making tortillas from scratch. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a tortilla press to flatten tortillas:

Prepare the Dough

Firstly, prepare your tortilla dough. The dough should be made with either flour or corn and mixed with salt and water. You can also add fat to your dough, such as lard, vegetable shortening, or butter. The type of flour you use will determine the size of your tortillas—corn tortillas are usually smaller than flour tortillas due to the difference in gluten content.

Form the Dough into Balls

Once your dough is ready, form it into small balls. The size of the balls will depend on the size of your tortilla press and the desired thickness of your tortillas. A good starting point is to aim for a golf ball-sized portion of dough, which will yield a 6-inch tortilla when flattened.

Prepare the Tortilla Press

Cut two squares of wax paper, butcher paper, or plastic wrap large enough to cover the base of your tortilla press. Place one sheet on the bottom plate of the press.

Place the Dough in the Press

Place a ball of dough in the centre of the press on top of the paper. Cover the ball of dough with the other square of paper.

Press the Dough

Lower the top plate of the tortilla press onto the dough. Press down on the handle of the press. You may need to apply more or less pressure depending on the type of dough you are using. For thinner tortillas, you may need to rotate the dough and press it multiple times.

Remove the Tortilla from the Press

Lift the top plate and remove the flattened dough from the press, peeling it away from the paper. Your tortilla is now ready to be cooked!

Using a tortilla press is a quick and easy way to make homemade tortillas, and it can also be used for other tasks such as flattening dough for flatbreads or pita bread and crushing ingredients like garlic or nuts.

Flattening tortillas without a press

If you don't have a tortilla press, you can still make tortillas at home. Here's a guide on how to flatten tortillas without a press, using a cast-iron pan.

Prepare the Dough

Firstly, prepare your tortilla dough according to your chosen recipe. The dough should be covered and left to sit for around 30 minutes to an hour to allow it to rest.

Divide the Dough

Once your dough is ready, divide it into golf-ball-sized pieces. You can make these larger or smaller, depending on your preference and the recipe you are following.

Flatten the Dough

Place a ball of dough between two pieces of wax paper, plastic wrap, or parchment paper. You can then use a rolling pin to roll the dough out evenly. Aim for a thickness of around 4 to 10 inches, depending on the type of tortilla you are making.

If you don't have a rolling pin, you can use other items to flatten the dough. Place the ball of dough between sheets of plastic, a zip-top bag with the sides cut open, or parchment paper. Then, use the bottom of a cast-iron skillet, a glass, or a metal pie plate to press the dough flat.

Cook the Tortillas

Once your dough is rolled out, you can start cooking your tortillas. A cast-iron pan is best for this, heated over medium-high heat. There is no need to add any oil to the pan. Cook each tortilla for around 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until brown spots appear.

Keep Tortillas Warm

As you cook your tortillas, keep them wrapped in a dry towel to stay warm. This will also help to steam and soften them, as they can be a little dry straight off the grill.

Storing and Reheating

If you're not eating your tortillas right away, let them cool completely, then store them in the fridge, wrapped tightly, for up to 3 days. To reheat, wrap them loosely in a damp kitchen or paper towel and microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.

How to prevent tortillas from sticking to the pan

To prevent tortillas from sticking to the pan, you can use a cast-iron pan, which is the best option for cooking tortillas. A cast-iron pan will create an even thickness and a consistent texture. However, you can also use a non-stick, carbon steel, or stainless-steel pan.

If you are using a cast-iron pan, make sure to heat it up properly before adding your tortillas. You can do this by heating the pan over medium-high heat for 10-15 minutes, rotating it occasionally to ensure an even heat distribution. It is important to find the perfect temperature, as a pan that is too hot will cause the tortillas to stick and burn quickly.

When cooking tortillas, it is recommended to use little to no oil. Using too much oil can cause the tortillas to become crispy and oily. Instead, brush the pan with a very light coating of oil, or rub it on and off with a paper towel. You can also brush a small amount of oil over the tortillas themselves. If your recipe includes oil or other fats, you may not need to add any additional oil to the pan.

If you are using a stainless-steel pan, it is especially important to avoid using too much oil, as this can cause the tortillas to stick and burn. Instead, try dry-roasting the tortillas by heating the pan and placing the tortilla down for a few seconds at a time, lifting and repeating until the tortilla is loose on the surface of the pan.

To prevent sticking, you can also try dusting the surface of the tortilla with a small amount of flour, especially if the dough is moist. Additionally, ensuring that your dough has the correct consistency will help to prevent sticking. For corn tortillas, the dough should feel like cookie dough, and it should be easy to transfer from your press to your pan. If the dough is too wet, it will leave a residue on the pan and cause the tortillas to stick.

The best temperature for cooking tortillas

Tortillas are best cooked on a hot, dry skillet or griddle. A cast-iron pan is best for this, though a non-stick skillet can also be used.

The ideal temperature for cooking tortillas is 500°F (260°C). At this temperature, the tortillas should bubble, puff, and brown in just 45 seconds per side. If you don't have a thermometer to hand, you can tell when your pan is at the right temperature by flicking a few drops of water onto the cooking surface. If the water sizzles immediately, it's ready.

Tortillas should be cooked for 30-60 seconds on each side, or until brown spots appear.

If you are using a non-stick pan, you may want to add a small coin-sized amount of oil to prevent sticking. However, this is not necessary when using cast iron, as the tortillas will be non-stick due to the lard in the dough.

Once cooked, wrap the tortillas in a dry towel to keep them warm and help them steam and soften.

How to store tortillas

The best way to store tortillas depends on the type of tortilla and how long you want to keep them.

If you have store-bought tortillas, you can keep them in the pantry or cupboard for up to two weeks. If you want to extend their shelf life, you should consider refrigerating them.

For homemade tortillas, the shelf life is much shorter, and they can only be kept in the pantry for 2-3 days.

Refrigerating Tortillas

To refrigerate tortillas, place them in a plastic storage bag or an airtight container. It's important to remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag or container to prevent the tortillas from drying out. You can also wrap the tortillas tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil before placing them in a container to provide an extra barrier against air and moisture. Label the packaging with the date, so you know when to use the tortillas before they spoil. Refrigerated tortillas will stay fresh for about a week.

Freezing Tortillas

Freezing is the best option if you want to store tortillas for a more extended period. To freeze tortillas, you will need wax papers and resealable freezer bags. Place a sheet of wax paper between each tortilla to prevent them from freezing together. Then, place the stack of tortillas in a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, seal the bag, and label it with the date. Frozen tortillas can be stored for up to eight months.

Warming Tortillas

When you're ready to use your refrigerated or frozen tortillas, you can warm them in the microwave, oven, or on a stovetop. If using a microwave, place 4-5 tortillas on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 10-30 seconds. If using an oven, preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and wrap 4-5 tortillas in aluminium foil. Heat for around 15 minutes. On a stovetop, place the tortillas in a stainless steel skillet over medium heat and cook for about a minute.

Frequently asked questions