Last Updated on October 8, 2023 by Shari Mason
Have you ever eagerly assembled a batch of delicious tacos, only to have your corn tortillas crumble and fall apart before you even bite?
We’ve all been there, so we did a series of experiments to uncover strategies on how to keep corn tortillas from falling apart and make meal preparation with them much more manageable.
How Can You Keep Corn Tortillas From Falling Apart?
To keep corn tortillas from falling apart, make them pliable by warming them up in your oven, open flame, or microwave.
Fresh corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, so corn tortillas [1] must be stored properly. You can keep fresh corn tortillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Fresh tortillas and store-bought corn tortillas should be kept away from moisture, such as steam, as this will make them soggy and more likely to fall apart.
When you heat tortillas, we recommend using low to medium heat, enough to keep tortillas warm. Corn tortillas can easily become dry and brittle when exposed to too much heat.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that the tortillas are not overworked when folding them, as this can cause them to break apart. Use a tortilla press with a little oil or a cast iron griddle.
Lastly, it is important to ensure that the tortillas are not too thin when rolling them out, as this will make them more prone to breaking apart.
Read: How To Keep Turkey Burgers From Falling Apart?
How To Keep Them Fresh
A large Mexican population makes fresh tortillas using a rolling pin, water, and corn flour.
To keep corn tortillas fresh, it is best to wrap them in foil or plastic and store them in the refrigerator. It will help keep fresh tortillas last for up to one week.
If you plan to store them longer, you can freeze them by wrapping them tightly in foil and placing them in a freezer bag. They should stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months.
You can use this procedure with store-bought tortillas. This method can keep them fresh, and you can avoid stale tortillas.
Read:
How To Heat Corn Tortillas
Heating corn tortillas is a simple process that only takes a few minutes. Start by heating a non-stick skillet over medium heat with hot oil. Place the tortillas one at a time onto the skillet and heat for 10-15 seconds on each side.
“Every movie is a road movie. Every novel is a mystery. Every tortilla chip is sacred.”
– Sherman Alexie, American Novelist
If you prefer softer tortillas, cover the skillet with a lid while they are heating. Once they are done, you can use them as desired.
Stale corn tortillas break easily, so you should reheat them in less than a minute.
You can heat hard corn tortillas, but ensure that the extra moisture from the boiling water doesn’t go directly to the tortilla chips because they will fall apart.
Read: How To Keep Corn Tortillas From Falling Apart In Enchiladas?
How To Soften Them For Enchiladas In The Oven
To soften corn tortillas for enchiladas [2] in the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the tortillas on a baking sheet and brush both sides with a light oil coating.
Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time until softened and lightly browned.
Corn tortillas tend to break easily, so I recommend using a paper towel, aluminum foil, damp towel, or kitchen towel when reheating using a steamer basket, dry grill, and microwave method.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to lengthen shelf life.
Read: Where Does Chipotle Get Their Tortillas?
How To Keep Corn Tortillas From Falling Apart In Enchiladas
You can use enchiladas in corn tortillas to keep them from falling apart.
To do this, lightly brush each side of the tortillas with vegetable oil before you fill them with your ingredients.
Enchiladas will help corn tortillas stay together as they can fill the small cracks and keep them from becoming too dry.
Warm the tortillas in a damp paper towel in the microwave before filling them. This will help keep them pliable and make them easier to fold.
Why Are My Corn Tortillas Cracking When I Roll Them?
Corn tortillas are not properly hydrated, making them difficult to roll without cracking. The best way to prevent tortillas from cracking is to moisten them before rolling them.
Try lightly spraying them with water or dipping them in warm water for a few seconds. It will help keep them flexible and prevent cracking.
“Elevate your taco game with our simple, tried-and-true techniques.”
–Eat Pallet Restaurant & Food Advice
Roll them as thin as possible, as thicker tortillas are more prone to cracking.
FAQs
How do you make corn tortillas more durable?
Corn tortillas can be made more durable by frying them. Frying them will make them firmer and less likely to break when handled.
You can also add a small amount of oil to the masa harina dough before you roll out the tortillas. It will help them keep their shape and make them more durable.
Why do my flour tortillas fall apart?
Your flour tortillas fall apart for several reasons, such as the dough needing to be kneaded more, the not being rolled out thin enough, or the pan being too hot when cooking the tortillas.
It could also be due to the dough not having enough fat or liquid.
Why do my homemade corn tortillas fall apart?
Homemade corn tortillas can fall apart if they are not cooked properly. If they are overcooked, they can become dry and brittle; undercooked, they can be too soft and sticky.
Be sure to cook them until they are lightly browned and pliable. Also, ensure the dough is not too dry or too wet, which can cause the tortillas to break apart.
In Conclusion
Keeping corn tortillas from falling apart is easy if you follow our suggested steps.
The key is ensuring your tortillas are warm and pliable and giving them adequate time to steam before serving.
Making enchiladas as a binder can also be a good idea as it can fill small cracks. Also, it is best to keep corn flour tortillas warm to prevent it from falling apart.
Additionally, you can use a bit of oil or butter to help keep them together. By using a little extra care when handling your tortillas, you should be able to enjoy delicious and intact corn tortillas every time
References:
- https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_corn_tortillas/
- https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/simple-perfect-enchiladas-recipe0-2043114
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