Quinoa Tortillas Recipe
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“Grandma’s tortilla hands“.
That’s how my childhood friend described them, as her grandmother sat at the small kitchen table with the blue, plastic tablecloth that sat just under the kitchen window. The morning sun gently tickled her soft gray hair and made it glisten like diamonds with each breath she took. She made tortillas one at a time, humming as she patted each tortilla in a rhythm I’m almost certain I could have danced to.
Grandma’s tortilla hands were rough. They were wrinkled, and they had the most beautiful bronze-colored skin I had ever seen. Some of that warm caramel color was natural, but some was simply from being kissed by the sun as she gardened.
Her garden was the most important duty after making tortillas. Then, came story-telling, and then fiestas…. in that order.
Grandma had her priorities. And in that moment of sunshine-sparkly hair, patty-cake rhythms, and plastic table cloths, she somehow managed to make me feel as though I was her number one priority. No matter how many tortillas she had to make that morning.
Grandma’s tortilla hands have long since stopped making tortillas. But I thought of them as I made these today.
While a tortilla press does not supply the tortilla-making staccato of the traditional, handmade method, the bowl of soft dough and the wafting smells of the warming tortillas cooking in the pan on my stove made me smile.
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QUINOA TORTILLAS RECIPE:
Quinoa Tortillas Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups quinoa flour
- ¾ cup brown rice flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1 ¼ cups hot water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix, knead (until you have a smooth dough) and separate into about 18 balls.
- This is what my tortilla press looks like. I think this is a pretty standard type of press these days. (see link above to find it on Amazon)
- Open the press and sandwich a semi-flattened dough ball between two sturdy plastic bags. Place on top of your press fold the handle over and flatten the tortilla. Carefully peel off the plastic bags. If the tortilla really sticks to the plastic, the dough is too wet. It should come off fairly easily with out too much resistance.
- Place the tortillas in an un-oiled, non-stick pan and cook for about 1 minute on each side.
- This is about done.
- These are overdone.
- These are fantastic just out of the pan, and definitely better warm than cold!
Nutrition
Recipe republished from the Gracious Pantry archives. Originally published 3/11/15.
I’m so glad you posted this! I tried to make tortillas from quinoa flour some time ago, and they turned out horribly. I’m glad to receive a recipe from someone who knows a lot more about cooking than I do:-).
Sarah – Great! I’d love to know what you think about them!
I have to say I am very impressed. These tortillas look amazing I already wrote down the recipe. Yummy! I love your blog.
Lydia – Yay! I hope you’ll enjoy them!
I’m going to have to try this. I can’t find “clean” tortillas anywhere.
Lisa – Ya, it’s a challenge. Hope you enjoy them!
Ooh, my mouth is watering looking at these! Any suggestions for flattening if I don’t own a tortilla press? I’m thinking parchment paper + pounding a heavy book (or plastic cutting board) with a hand weight. These just look SO good!
Carolyn – I don’t think you have to pound with a book. I would get two plastic cutting boards and press the dough between them. You want to press, not pound. So anything you can press them between will work.
I think it was Chef John I saw putting regular corn dough between two books or cutting boards and placing it on a chair and simply sitting on top of it. LOL It worked.
Jody – Hahahaha!!! That’s awesome!! I bet it did work! 😀
Could you roll them out? I don’t have a tortilla press either, but these look too good not to try them! (And I’m seriously missing pitas/tortillas to put wrap stuff in)
Erin – I bet you could! It would take a little extra work, but I think that would work.
This looks great! I am looking forward to trying this recipe!
—Gina 🙂
Gina – I’d love to hear what you think about them!
Love your web site. Where would I find quinoa flour?
Barbara – The brand I used is Bob’s Red Mill. Many health food stores carry it.
For the first time since I starting my “eat clean” journey -I am genuinely excited to make these tortillas. My mother used to make home made tortillas filled with white flour and I miss those because of the memories and the joy we had making them-now I have a healthy alternative to enjoying those memories and even more enjoying the taste!
Nicole – Fabulous! What wonderful memories! I always enjoyed watching my friend’s grandmother make those tortillas. It was fascinating to me.
Have to say, I love your blog. I don’t comment, but I felt compelled to do so today. The pictures, the language, the fact that you include children….just fantastic. Not only am I am inspired to cook clean, healty (now vegetarian) food, but you always put a smile on my face. Keep doing what you do!
CarrieFaery – Thank you so much! That made my day! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my blog and I’m happy to have you as a reader. Take care.
Why is it so hard to find a tortilla press? While I realize I could roll them out by hand, they won’t look that great. I know this because I’ve rolled out pie crust & bread dough & I’m not especially good at it. But I can’t seem to find a press anywhere but online. Any suggestions?
Stephanie – It’s hard to say because I wouldn’t know what stores you have in your area. I got mine at Bed Bath & Beyond. I would assume that most kitchen or restaurant supply stores would have them. Have you tried Sears?
Stephanie, I have purchased two from a thrift store locally. If you’re in the States try Good Will. Here in Canada the go-to is Value Village or smaller local stores. But I’d definitely keep an eye out. I can’t wait to make these tortillas! Though I’ll be giving homemade quinoa flour a try…
These were very tasty and they were very good with mole yum!!!
Stephanie if there are any mexican stores in your area they might have them.
Lydia – Oh, I’m so happy you tried and enjoyed them! Wonderful!
Can I just use quinoa flour and leave the brown rice flour?
Ishi – You could certainly give it a try. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. But you may have to adjust the amount of water as the quinoa flour requires less than the rice flour.
My husband just brought home-made tortillas home from a Mexican joint here in So.Cal. As much as I wanted one, I refrained. I’m trying to stay away from white flour these days. This recipe sounds perfect! I can effectively have my cake and eat it too! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe! I’m going to pick up some of that flour tonight!
Natalie – Wonderful! Let me know how you like them!
I love your website. You do such a great job. For those looking for a tortilla press, I found mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Can’t wait to make these tortillas, they look so yummy.
Patty – Thank you! I actually got mine at BB&B as well. I hope you enjoy the tortillas!
Thank you! Your amazing!!! The time couldn’t be better for this simple yet super delish looking recipe! Where to get a tortilla press????
Wendi – Thank you! I got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond. I would imagine that Sears would have them too. Enjoy!
I’m doing South Beach for a couple of week but once I add good carbs back, I am soooooo making these.
Paulissa – I love South Beach! But yes, it is nice when you add the carbs back in. Hope you enjoy these!
I’m with Carrie on this one. This site is an absolute delight, but this particular day was simply divine: the story, the pictures (how DO you take such stunning photography? Do you take all of these pictures yourself? They are so professional looking!!!!) — I just adore you, love what you’re doing here and support you 110% — keep up the good work! Oh, and by the way, we love to make homemade tortillas in my house, and just use a wooden dowel and roll them out. I am very excited to try this recipe out on my kiddos who LOVE homemade tortillas, they will not last long in this house!
Dana – Thank you! The food photos are all my own, but I do sometimes use stock photos for my non-food posts. The one above was my own. Please let me know how the tortillas turn out for you! I hope the kiddos enjoy them!
Hi,
Which brand of tortilla press do you have? I checked out some cast iron ones and aluminum ones on Amazon and the reviews were mixed. Has your press worked consistently well for you? By the way…
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS SITE!!!!!!!
Tara – Awwwe, thank you! Yes, my press has worked well. This is the one I have, only mine is silver. Had I known it came like this cast iron version, I would have gone with this: Imusa Victoria Cast Iron Tortilla Press, 6-1/2-Inch (See all Cook's Tools & Gadgets)
These look delicious! I might try making these this week minus the rice flour. I’ve been in a cooking mood lately. I’m trying to eat more clean, and I have a ton of quinoa sitting around. I don’t have a tortilla press so I might have to improvise.
LLI – You can always roll them with a rolling pin. Works just as well.
I made these the other night – I didn’t have a press and I used my rolling pin – worked great! And they were very good!
Tiamaria – Wonderful!! I guess I had to buy the tortilla press to satisfy my obsession with kitchen gadgets! Ha! I’m so happy you enjoyed them!