Whole-Wheat & Flax Tortillas

 

Did you know that it’s super easy to make homemade tortillas? So simple in fact, that I don’t know why I never thought to do it before now. Plus, the freshly made taste is phenomenal; I won’t ever go back to store-bought again. The packaged whole-wheat tortillas I typically buy at Whole Foods cost around $3 a package, but the price to make a batch of my own is less than $1. And if you don’t have a health foods store near you, then it’s pretty difficult and to find a healthy tortilla with less than fifteen ingredients. Here is an example of a common supermarket tortilla that’s marketed as being healthy and whole grain:

Mission Whole Wheat Tortillas: Whole wheat flour, water, vegetable shortening (interesterified soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil and/or palm oil), contains 2% or less of: leavening (sodium bicarbonate, sodium aluminum sulfate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate and/or sodium acid pyrophosphate, calcium sulfate), sugar, salt, preservatives (calcium propionate, sorbic acid and/or citric acid), cellulose gum, distilled monoglycerides, enzymes, wheat starch, calcium carbonate, antioxidants (tocopherols, ascorbic acid), dough conditioners (fumaric acid, sodium metabisulfite and/or mono- and diglycerides).

Compared to my simple and nutritious tortilla:

Homemade whole-wheat & flax tortillas: 100% whole wheat flour, water, olive oil, ground flax seeds, salt

 

Which would you rather eat? 

 

The whole process is pretty straightforward. After mixing together the dough I was able to make a double batch of tortillas in under 30 minutes. I don’t even own a rolling pin for flattening the dough (I used a drinking glass and got in an added arm workout). While I will be buying a rolling pin soon, it’s not a necessity. So the next time you need tortillas for a recipe, consider making your own–you won’t regret it!

 

 

 

 

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{Whole-Wheat & Flax Tortillas}

A healthy and truly whole grain tortilla with no hydrogenated oils, sugar, or preservatives. Flax seeds add in fiber and healthy ALA omega-3 fats. You can add 1/2 tsp of garlic powder or other spices if you want a flavored version!

 

Adapted from: Homemade Tortillas by TOH

Servings: 8 7-inch tortillas.

 

Ingredients

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup ground flax seeds (I ground 2 1/2 tbsp whole flax seeds in my coffee grinder)

1/2 tsp unrefined salt

3 tbsp olive oil (quality olive oil should have a bottling and expiration date)

3/4 cup warm water

 

Directions

Mix together dry ingredients, then stir in wet ingredients and knead 10-12 times on a floured surface. You can add a little more water or flour if needed until a smooth dough forms. Let dough rest for 10 minutes. Divide dough into 8 equal balls. Roll dough into 7-inch circles between two sheets of lightly floured wax paper. On a nonstick skillet, cook tortillas over medium heat for 1 minute on each side, or until lightly browned. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before using (makes them pliable). Store extra tortillas in the refrigerator in an airtight container or large ziploc bag for 1 week or freeze for longer (no longer than 1 month for best quality).

 

Nutrition info per serving: 155 cal,  7 g fat (<1 g sat fat), 21 g carb, 0.5 g sugar, 4 g protein, 4 g fiber

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