Everything Sourdough One-page recipe
Sourdough Tortillas
A simple, flexible tortilla dough made with active starter or discard, slowly fermented and cooked in a very hot skillet.
- Total time
- About 6 hr 45 min–12 hr 45 min
- Yield
- Varies by portion size
- Starter
- Active or discard
- Heat
- Very hot skillet
Ingredients
Tortilla Dough
- 1 cup sourdough starter (active or discard)
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
For Shaping & Cooking
- As needed additional flour for dusting
- A little cooking spray or oil for the skillet
Method
Mix and KneadDense, not dry
- In a large bowl, stir together the sourdough starter and water until well combined.
- Add the oil and salt, then mix again.
- Add all 3 cups of flour. Mix with a fork until a rough dough forms.
- Knead by hand until the dough is evenly mixed and holds together. It should feel dense, similar to bagel dough, but not dry. If it feels sticky, lightly wet your hand rather than adding extra flour.
Bulk Rise6-12 hours
- Return the dough to the bowl, cover, and leave it at room temperature for 6 to 12 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Continue with the recipe after the rise, or refrigerate the covered dough overnight and shape it later.
Divide, Shape, and PressAny size or thickness
- Divide the dough into portions sized for the tortillas you want.
- Shape each portion into a ball, pinch the seam closed at the bottom, and roll it lightly in flour.
- Heat a cast-iron or other heavy skillet until very hot.
- Place one dough ball between two pieces of parchment paper and flatten it with a tortilla press. Or roll it out by hand. Make it as thin or thick as you prefer.
Cook the TortillasAbout 80 seconds each
- Lightly coat the hot skillet with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
- Transfer one tortilla to the skillet and cook for about 40 seconds on the first side.
- Flip and cook for about 40 seconds on the second side. Adjust the heat or timing for your pan and preferred thickness, then repeat with the remaining dough.
Helpful Notes
My saved note:
Savory & Snacks - Active or discard
Sourdough Tortillas
A simple, flexible tortilla dough made with active starter or discard, slowly fermented and cooked in a very hot skillet.
- Total time
- About 6 hr 45 min–12 hr 45 min
- Hands-on
- About 35 min
- Yield
- Varies by portion size
- Starter
- Active or discard
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Heat
- Very hot skillet
- Pan or vessel
- Cast-iron or heavy skillet
Gather first
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tortilla Dough
- 1 cup sourdough starter (active or discard)
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
For Shaping & Cooking
- As needed additional flour for dusting
- A little cooking spray or oil for the skillet
Method
Step by step
Part 1
Mix and Knead
- In a large bowl, stir together the sourdough starter and water until well combined.
- Add the oil and salt, then mix again.
- Add all 3 cups of flour. Mix with a fork until a rough dough forms.
- Knead by hand until the dough is evenly mixed and holds together. It should feel dense, similar to bagel dough, but not dry. If it feels sticky, lightly wet your hand rather than adding extra flour.
Part 2
Bulk Rise
- Return the dough to the bowl, cover, and leave it at room temperature for 6 to 12 hours, or until doubled in size.
Set a check timer
- Continue with the recipe after the rise, or refrigerate the covered dough overnight and shape it later.
Part 3
Divide, Shape, and Press
- Divide the dough into portions sized for the tortillas you want.
- Shape each portion into a ball, pinch the seam closed at the bottom, and roll it lightly in flour.
- Heat a cast-iron or other heavy skillet until very hot.
- Place one dough ball between two pieces of parchment paper and flatten it with a tortilla press. Or roll it out by hand. Make it as thin or thick as you prefer.
Part 4
Cook the Tortillas
- Lightly coat the hot skillet with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
- Transfer one tortilla to the skillet and cook for about 40 seconds on the first side.
- Flip and cook for about 40 seconds on the second side. Adjust the heat or timing for your pan and preferred thickness, then repeat with the remaining dough.
Part 5
Helpful Notes
For next time
My Kitchen Notes
Keep track of changes, room temperature, proofing cues, or anything you want to repeat next time.
Finish well
After baking
Doneness, storage, and reheating notes for this recipe.
Doneness
Browned in spots on both sides and still soft and flexible
Storage
Refrigerate cooked tortillas, or freeze them with parchment between each tortilla.
Reheat or serve
Warm briefly in a dry skillet until soft and heated through.