Corn vs Flour Tortillas: Is There Really a Difference? In short, yes, in fact, there is a huge difference. Today we’re going to take a look at these main types of tortillas, how they’re made, and what you can do with them.
If you’re looking for a TL;DR: the main differences will be size, taste, texture, flexibility, main ingredient (corn vs. wheat), and traditional usage.
How are Tortillas Made
For a flour tortilla, a few basic ingredients go into a mixing bowl: flour, water, salt, and an animal fat or vegetable oil. If you’re making corn tortillas, you’ll use corn flour (masa harina), warm water, and a pinch of salt.
These ingredients are well mixed until a dough has formed. The dough is then divided into 5 – 8 parts, rolled into balls, and put through a tortilla press to create even consistently sized tortillas. Finally, the tortillas are cooked.
Most people use a metal tortilla press when making their tortillas. However, in our modern times, you can now purchase a tortilla press that presses and cooks homemade flour tortillas (or corn tortillas) all at the same time. I think it’s brilliant.
If you’re looking to add extra flavour to your tortillas, you can cook them on a grill over an open flame. This will impart a subtle smoky flavor profile that will boost the final meal.
Let’s Take a Look at Corn Tortillas
A good corn tortilla is a staple in Mexican cuisine, and the base of beloved street tacos. If you’ve ever seen smaller tacos sold at a food truck or in a restaurant, there’s a good chance it was served on a corn tortilla. If it’s yellow in colour, it’s for sure a corn torilla.
Masa Harina (a special type of corn flour made from dried corn that’s gone through the nixtamalization process) can be used to make traditional corn tortillas. Here in the United States, it’s very common to see corn tortillas that come in a white or yellow variety. Sometimes, you’ll see purple tortillas made from blue corn flour. Blue corn flour will create a different flavor profile, and I’m told it’s nuttier and sweeter. Given my severe corn allergy, that’s as much as I’ll be able to say about the topic.
Fun Fact: Corn tortillas are usually what are used to make tortilla chips you see sold in most grocery stores and restaurants. Never heard of the nixtamalization process? This page on Wikipedia has details (it’s quite an interesting read).
Time to Look at Flour Tortillas
Flour tortillas are a main ingredient for popular foods such as enchiladas and burritos. These tortillas are larger than traditional corn tortillas, and sometimes thinner than corn tortillas as well. Their flavour is pretty neutral, and that’s part of the reason they’re such a versatile ingredient.
Flour tortillas are the traditional tortillas used If you’re making soft tacos or quesadillas. The main ingredient is an all purpose flour made from whole wheat or refined (white) wheat flour.
Making Tortillas at Home
I personally think the best option when it comes to tortillas is to make them at home. This is because in our modern times, tortillas now have a long ingredients list to make them shelf stable for long periods of time. Many people aren’t comfortable with the types of ingredients that are being added to traditional tortillas. When you make them yourself, you can avoid all of that. Homemade tortillas (both the dough and final product) are freezer friendly.
When you use your own homemade tortillas, you can also control the size and alter the flavor profile. For example, sometimes I like to make tortillas in smaller sizes and mix in herbs such as marjoram with a touch of onion granules to give them an extra pop. Whilst this isn’t traditional, at all, I’m able to give my recipes a unique flavor you can’t purchase in stores.
For those with food allergies, Celiac Disease, dietary restrictions, and personal preferences, you may find that homemade tortillas are the best option for you. RAISE has several tortilla recipes if you want to give it a go at home.
Things to Make with Tortillas
You can make a lot of different foods with delicious tortillas that are store bought or homemade. Here are just some of the many options you have:
- Burritos
- Enchiladas
- Chimichanga
- Chip Strips (an amazing crouton alternative when making Mexican or Southwestern salads)
- Fajitas
- Nachos
- Quesadillas
- Taco Shells (for hard tacos and soft tacos)
- Tamales
- Taquitos
- Tortilla Chips (cut tortillas into chip shapes and fry)
- Tortilla Soup
- Tostadas
For more ideas, look into recipes that celebrate Mexican, Latin American and Tex-Mex cuisines. Also, go wild! Tortillas are such versatile ingredients and can be used for so much more than what’s on this short list. You can also create really fun fusion foods with your tortillas.
Tortillas for Those with Celiac Disease and Food Allergies
B-Free Foods makes larger gluten free tortillas that look amazing. Whilst I can’t eat them, I’ve heard amazing things. Siete Foods also offers a gluten free tortilla as does the brand Mikey’s. Food For Life sells a rice flour tortilla that’s pretty large, but know that it’s incredibly delicate when compared to other gluten free tortillas.
Rudi’s, The Real Coconut, and La Tortilla Factory all have gluten free tortilla options as well. I’ll give you this warning: if you can’t eat food made on shared equipment with wheat and/or gluten, please investigate each brand before trying it. Last I checked, many are made on shared equipment with wheat, and this could be a problem for some of you.
Finally, remember that corn is gluten free, and authentic corn tortillas would be a great choice for those with Celiac Disease.
Answering Your Corn Tortilla and Flour Tortilla Questions
Are whole wheat tortillas a healthier choice when compared to white flour tortillas?
In short, many would argue that yes, a whole wheat tortilla is a healthier choice because it’s a whole-grain food. However, there’s more to this answer.
If something is a whole-grain food, it means that the entire grain is in tact and used. A lot of the nutritional value comes from the outer bran/husk that’s removed to make white flour. In some cases, especially with non-organic products, whole wheat flour is stripped and processed quite a bit to get to the final result of white flour.
However, there are some GI and digestive disorders that make digesting whole grains very painful. Additionally, some people with conditions such as gastroparesis or those who are struggling to gain weight, whole grain foods may not be the best choice for them.
Personally, I choose to focus on the quality of the ingredients, lack of additives, etc., when choosing the best tortilla for my family. Remember, the word healthy isn’t a regulated term and it will have a different meaning for everyone. The healthiest choice will be what works best for you.
Are tortillas the same thing as flat bread?
Whilst tortillas look like a thin flatbread, they aren’t flatbread. Flatbread is a type of bread dough that’s made with yeast, is kneaded, usually shaped, and then cooked after a resting period. Tortillas on the other hand are made from water, salt, flour, and sometimes a fat. They’re mixed, shaped, and cooked right away.
Whilst you can do similar things with flatbread and tortillas, the texture of the tortilla won’t be the same as a flatbread (especially if we’re talking about a corn tortilla).
Can I use flour tortillas and corn tortillas interchangeably in recipes?
Not always. It really depends on the recipe. Since corn tortillas are a smaller tortilla, depending on the recipe, they may not be able to hold what you need (think: burrito fillings). In some cases, corn tortillas provide a sturdy base, but aren’t always the most flexible tortillas (especially if they haven’t been warmed).
If you’re making tortilla chips, yes, you could use one or the other, but know that the flavor profile won’t be the same. Corn tortillas come with the distinct taste of corn where flour tortillas have a more neutral taste. If you’re making simple Mexican dishes and want to use your own homemade tortillas, you could easily use one or the other and be happy with the end product.
If I’m making hard tacos, can I use flour tortillas?
Traditionally, hard tacos are made with corn tortillas. However, if you have the right tools at home you could make a hard taco shell with a flour tortilla and use that instead. Know that the taste of the end product will be different since corn tortillas absolutely taste of corn where flour tortillas don’t.
However, once you’ve added all of your delicious taco fillings, I’m sure you won’t mind the difference.
Do you know of a tortilla option that has fewer carbs?
There are several tortilla options on the market these days that have fewer carbs when compared to traditional flour tortillas and traditional corn tortillas. The first I’d recommend is jicama tortillas. Not everyone likes them though, so your mileage may vary.
The brand Siete Foods sells grain free tortillas that may be lower in carbs, so be sure to check them out. Brands such as Mr. Tortilla, Egg Life, Pass Me a Spoon, and Maria & Ricardo’s all sell different low carb tortillas. My taste testers haven’t had any of these brands, so I can’t vouch for them. Just be sure to manage your expectations when trying this type of tortilla. Whilst the function will be decent, the texture and flavor profile won’t be the same as standard tortillas.
Are tortillas a good source of fiber?
Usually, a food that contains at least 5 grams of fiber is considered a good source of fiber. Many whole wheat tortillas contain 2g of fiber where their white flour counterparts contain 1g of fiber. Corn tortillas range between 0 and 2g of fiber per tortilla.
Depending on how many tortillas you eat, they could be considered a good source of fiber. If eating a diet rich in fiber is a necessity for you, I’d suggest pairing your tortilla(s) with a couple of other high fiber ingredients to make sure your needs are being met.
Do I have to use an animal fat in my tortilla recipe?
No, you don’t. You can use olive oil, tiger nut oil (tuber, not a tree nut), and other liquid oils in your tortilla recipe. The flavor profile will change, but the function won’t. Once you add your toppings/fillings, I’m sure you’ll be happy with the final product.
Can I make corn tortillas at home?
Yes! You can make your own corn tortillas at home. When doing this, make sure you purchase “masa harina”, as compared to other types of corn flour that haven’t gone through the nixtamalization process. This will give you the best end results.