Rebecca Thompson
Dedicated woman chef with a passion for creating unforgettable main dishes. Innovative and skilled in crafting diverse flavors that leave a lasting impression.
Dedicated woman chef with a passion for creating unforgettable main dishes. Innovative and skilled in crafting diverse flavors that leave a lasting impression.
Cassava Flour Tortillas are a delicious gluten-free alternative to traditional flour tortillas, originally from Mexican cuisine. They are made of cassava flour, which is derived from the cassava root, a staple food in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
In addition to cassava flour, these tortillas also feature a blend of tapioca starch and sea salt, providing them a uniquely exquisite taste and texture. They can be easily rolled out and cooked within minutes, ready to be filled with your choice of ingredients for tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, small burritos, or simply to be enjoyed as is.
Though traditionally made with lard, modern adaptations of the recipe use vegan butter or oil, making it a versatile addition to any diet, including vegan and paleo diets. Moreover, cassava flour has more dietary fibre than regular flour, making it a healthier alternative in many ways.
In a medium bowl, mix together the cassava flour, tapioca starch, and sea salt. While stirring, slowly add the warm water and melted vegan butter. Continue to mix for about 1-2 minutes until the dough has a slightly soft texture.
If the dough appears too dry, you can add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time. If it's too sticky, add more cassava flour, 1 teaspoon at a time.
Shape the dough into a ball and cut it into 6 equal pieces for taco-sized tortillas.
Place one portion of dough on a piece of parchment paper lightly dusted with cassava flour. Use your hands to flatten the dough and shape it into a disk. Roll out the dough until it's about 7 inches in diameter.
Heat a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Flip the rolled-out tortilla onto the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, or until it begins to bubble. Flip and cook the other side for another 30-45 seconds.
Keep heat low as you prepare the next tortilla. Repeat this process for the remaining dough portions. Serve the tortillas warm with your desired fillings.
Different brands of cassava flour vary in their ability to absorb moisture. Otto's is a preferred brand, but Bob's Red Mill also works well if you add about 2 teaspoons more flour.
The recipe works better with taco-sized tortillas than burrito-sized ones because larger tortillas are more challenging to transfer onto the pan. However, you can make bigger tortillas if desired. Just divide the dough into 4 pieces instead of 6 and make sure your pan is large enough to accommodate them.
Any leftover tortillas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for a month. Be sure to separate the tortillas with pieces of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. Reheat them in a skillet when you're ready to enjoy them again.
You can replace the vegan butter with oil, such as olive or avocado oil. Dairy butter can be used as well if you're not vegan or lactose intolerant.
Yes, cassava flour is gluten-free, and so are these tortillas. It's a great option if you're on a gluten-free or grain-free diet.
The tapioca starch helps give the tortillas their soft, pliable texture. If you don't have it on hand, you can try using an equal amount of arrowroot starch as a substitute.
The tortillas have a neutral flavor, which makes them versatile with a wide variety of fillings. Traditional Mexican fillings such as grilled meats, cheese, beans, and salsa work well. They are also great for wrapping up sandwich fillings, or you can enjoy them on their own with a little butter and a sprinkle of salt.
Not necessarily. Cassava flour has different properties to wheat flour. Although it is often used as a gluten-free alternative, it may not always work as a direct substitute. Experiment with different ratios and see what works best for you.