Tortillas are a staple of Latin cuisine and are often eaten at every meal. They come in both corn and flour varieties, and there’s no question that homemade tortillas are the best. But what happens in you prepare a little more than you intend to cook?
You can freeze uncooked tortillas by storing them in small batches with the assistance of parchment paper and sandwich bags!
It’s always wise to eliminate food waste whenever possible, even when it comes to uncooked foods like doughs or batters. Freezing uncooked tortillas can be slightly challenging as they tend to get very delicate once frozen, but it’s not impossible and is very much encouraged over the alternative of throwing away uncooked dough.
How Do I Freeze Uncooked Tortillas?
To freeze uncooked tortillas, you will need sandwich bags and either plastic wrap or parchment paper. There is a method for freezing uncooked tortillas:
Stack your tortillas with layers of parchment paper or plastic wrap in between each tortilla; this will make it easier to pull them apart when you’re ready to thaw and cook them later.
After your tortillas are stacked and layered with paper or plastic, put your entire stack into a ziplock freezer bag or wrap them in plastic.
Freeze and enjoy within 6-8 months.
The process for freezing uncooked tortillas is uncomplicated, but it is essential to separate each tortilla with a layer of plastic wrap or parchment paper, so they don’t stick together when it comes time to thaw them.
Once tortillas are frozen through, it will take approximately an hour at room temperature to thaw them to a point where you can then cook them. The best way to thaw tortillas, as with most frozen ingredients, is to transfer them from the freezer to the fridge the night before you intend to cook them. This allows them to thaw gradually and will help preserve their texture and structure.
So long as you have the time and patience to line each layer individually, it is entirely possible to freeze uncooked tortillas. Once frozen, tortillas will keep for 6-8 months, and can be thawed in an hour at room temperature or in the fridge overnight. Next time you have some leftover tortilla dough, wrap it up and toss it in the freezer to cook later– it will be just as tasty as a fresh batch!
