A stack of handmade sourdough flour tortillas with browned skillet spots and one tortilla folded to show its flexibility.

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

Dense, not dry
  1. In a large bowl, stir together the sourdough starter and water until well combined.
  2. Add the oil and salt, then mix again.
  3. Add all 3 cups of flour. Mix with a fork until a rough dough forms.
  4. 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

6-12 hours
  1. 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
    Choose when to check; the step's visual cues decide when it is ready.
  2. Continue with the recipe after the rise, or refrigerate the covered dough overnight and shape it later.

Part 3

Divide, Shape, and Press

Any size or thickness
  1. Divide the dough into portions sized for the tortillas you want.
  2. Shape each portion into a ball, pinch the seam closed at the bottom, and roll it lightly in flour.
  3. Heat a cast-iron or other heavy skillet until very hot.
  4. 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

About 80 seconds each
  1. Lightly coat the hot skillet with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
  2. Transfer one tortilla to the skillet and cook for about 40 seconds on the first side.
  3. 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.

Private to this device.

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.