Tortillas might taste best when they are warm and fresh, but that doesnt mean you cant freeze those leftovers, or that you cant store stacks of tortillas in the freezer for later use. As long as you know how to store homemade tortillas, or store-bought tortillas in the best way, then youll be able to keep in as much freshness as you can!
So, whats the best way to store tortillas? Once youve brought them home from the grocery store, is it wise to keep them at room temperature, or to freeze tortillas? And if you do freeze them, what are the best freezer cooking tips?
In this article, we take a look at the best methods for freezing tortillas to keep them fresh and tasty when you thaw them for dinner!
Cover the tortillas with a damp paper towel or a microwave-safe lid to create a humid environment. Set your microwave to the defrost setting or use 50% power. Microwave the tortillas in 30-second increments, flipping and checking after each interval until they are pliable and thawed.
Can corn and flour tortillas be frozen?
Yes! Both corn and flour tortillas can be frozen really well.
It is so, so easy to freeze flour tortillas, and it doesnt change their quality or compromise their taste at all. If youve still got an unopened pack, you can freeze them as is. You can also take them out of their original packaging and slip parchment or wax paper between each one. Then put them all in a freezer bag, try and press out the air, and freeze.
Corn tortillas are freezer-friendly and can be frozen the same way as flour tortillas. Just put them in the freezer in their original packaging or grab that wax paper and separate them, putting them in a freezer bag afterward.
Whether you love a good corn tortilla for your tacos or prefer wheat flour tortillas when youre building burritos, its easy to freeze either variety. You can use the same method of freezing for both types of tortillas. Freezing corn tortillas or freezing flour tortillas is easy!
Can tortillas be frozen?
Tortillas can easily be stored in the freezer, and youll be surprised at how delicious theyll still be when you defrost them later. To keep in the goodness though, youll need to make sure you freeze those tortillas properly.
To successfully freeze them, youll need to place your tortillas in a suitable container. This protects them from frost and helps to keep in more nutrients. The easiest way to freeze tortillas is to stack them in freezer bags. The best freezer bags are purpose-designed, often with zip locks that make them reusable, while sealing in the freshness.
If you dont have bags, another great option is to either wrap your stacks of tortillas in clingfilm or tinfoil, before placing them in the freezer. If you are freezing tortillas that youve pressed by hand, wait for them to cool down first before placing them in the freezer.
If you want your tortillas to hold their shape, then you should also be careful about how many tortillas you freeze together. We recommend freezing them in suitable-sized stacks for your meals. Stacks of 5 or 10 tortillas work well. You should also store tortillas with either foil or parchment paper placed between individual tortillas. This helps to separate them when its time for defrosting.
So, to quickly summarize:
- Wait for tortillas to cool, if warm.
- Place cold separated tortillas in a suitable freezer bag or container.
- Place tortillas in the freezer.
- Leave your tortillas to freeze!
Its really that easy, but the important takeaway to remember is that tortillas should be cold when you freeze them. If youve freshly pressed your tortillas using tortilla press, you can freeze them before you cook them. If youve already cooked the tortillas and have leftovers, we recommend placing them in the fridge to cool down first, then freezing them.
If you place warm tortillas in the freezer, they will degrade quickly, due to the harsh temperature change. You need to keep this process gradual, to keep in the flavor.
How do I defrost frozen flour tortillas?
FAQ
How do you thaw frozen flour tortillas?
Can you defrost tortillas in the microwave?
How do you thaw frozen flour?
How do you defrost tortillas quickly?
By putting layers between each tortilla you can thaw just the amount you need at any time. Place the slip sheeted tortillas in a plastic freezer bag or wrap in tin foil. Remember to label and date the container. Tortillas can thaw in the fridge, on the counter top or by reheating them in the microwave or stove top.
How do you thaw tortillas faster?
To thaw tortillas quicker, you can microwave them on defrost at 50% wattage for a few seconds at a time until they become softened. Be careful not to overdo it. There are so many recipes to use with tortillas or wraps, whether they are fresh or frozen give them a try.
Can You defrost frozen corn & flour tortillas overnight?
The best way to defrost frozen corn or flour tortillas is to do so overnight in the refrigerator. Depending on how many you are thawing at the time, the tortillas are typically defrosted in 1-2 days at most. I find when I am defrosting a package of 8, overnight seems to do fine and they are ready to eat come dinner time.
Why do I need to defrost frozen tortillas?
When freezing tortillas, moisture can form crystals or cause condensation on the tortilla surface. This makes it important to defrost frozen tortillas gradually to prevent them from becoming soggy. To get the best out of your frozen tortillas defrost them as follows: