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Are Tortillas Gluten Free? Gluten Free Tortilla Recipe in 15 Minutes!

Updated on October 29, 2018 By William Smith Leave a Comment

According to a survey conducted recently, almost 30% of all Americans want to avoid gluten. This should explain why a gluten free alternative to just about anything is becoming more of a necessity in your everyday cookbook.

A gluten-free recipe for tortillas is not only a healthier alternative in general but should also be avoided by certain people that have an underlying intolerance to gluten.

do tortillas have gluten in them

A Word About Gluten Free Diet

A gluten free diet is true to the name and your food should contain no gluten whatsoever. Foods high in gluten consist of wheat, beer, pasta, rye, and bread to name a few.

Wheat is definitely the food most linked to gluten, though. People suffering from dermatitis, herpetiformis or non-celiac gluten sensitivity need to follow a gluten- free diet for their entire life. Around 1 in 133 people in America suffer from celiac disease.

A gluten free diet proves a healthy alternative and also aids in staying fit as well as healthy. Oats that are not specified as gluten free, wheat bran, wheat starch, barley, and others are foods that a gluten free diet stays away from.

People are now using a gluten free diet as a healthy way of living rather than just if the need to because more people are realizing the umpteen benefits.

It helps improve cholesterol levels, promotes digestive health and even aids weight loss. A gluten free diet is also known to improve energy levels. Studies show that it could also benefit children with autism and help improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Are Tortillas Really Gluten Free

So do tortillas have gluten then? Tortillas contain gluten depending on the way they are processed and what ingredients are used during the process.

Corn tortillas for example contain gluten, while using alternative ingredients could give you the type of tortillas you are looking for. Tortillas are the perfect companion to a great stew and you should not have to miss out because you would prefer to avoid gluten.

How to Make Gluten Free Tortillas

Having your own recipe for homemade gluten free tortillas to rely on when needed is a good idea to have jotted down somewhere.

Flour tortillas are the best option for a gluten free approach. There is nothing that tastes better than well made flour based tortillas. For your perfect, soft gluten-free tortillas you will need the right ingredients.

Ingredients of Gluten Free Tortilla

  • One and a half cups of white rice flour ( 6 ounces)
  • Half a cup of tapioca starch( 2 ounces)- Quite a few people use Expandex Modified Tapioca Starch and swear by it but you can even use just tapioca starch or flour by replacing it gram by gram.
  • 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar
  • Half a teaspoon of baking powder
  • Three quarter of a cup of cold water
  • 2 tablespoons of Vegetable shortening- Crisco is a great brand to trust for this
  • One teaspoon of xanthan gum
  •  Half a teaspoon of salt

Cooking Procedure of Gluten Free Tortilla

          1. You would begin by whisking together your white rice flour, Tapioca Starch, xanthan gum, granulated sugar, baking powder and the salt. Add the shortening into the mixture and make sure no small pieces of the shortening remain.

          2. Add half a cup of cold water into the mixture and stir it into the dough well.

          3. The remaining water can then be added to help the dough hold together. Adding and stirring the right amount of water can help you with that. The dough should have a damp feel to it after, rather than a wet sticky consistency. A sticky consistency will not taste as good and will also be extremely hard to work with.

          4. The next step would be kneading the dough on a table that is covered with flour for a dry base that will help the process leaps and bounds. Think back to how you roll out pizza into a circular shape on a countertop covered with flour.

          5. You should continue kneading the dough till it is smooth and not sticky at all. If you feel the dough is too dry and is crumbling in your hands, add a bit of water and if it feels to wet add some flour. After forming a ball with the dough, cover it with plastic cling wrap.

          6. Roll out the dough to about 8-10 inches with a wooden rolling spin to get circular flour tortilla of medium size. Heat a cast iron griddle over a medium fire and keep in mind that tortillas work far better on cast iron.

          7. Once you place a tortilla over the fire, it will form bubbles and start to puff up, after about 50 seconds, switch to the other side.

Your tortilla should have a light brownish shade to it. The second side will take about 35 seconds to cook. The second side will not get as brown as the first.

After both sides are cooked, transfer your tortilla to a plate and cover it with a tissue or towel for a bit. This will keep them soft. The towel should also preferably be lined with aluminum foil. 

Final Words

Tortillas are best served right away while they are hot, but you can also store them through the night in a sealed plastic bag. The next day, you can wrap these tortillas in a paper towel and then cover them in aluminum to pack up for a snack on the go. Remember to heat them up before that to soften the tortillas.

Do Tortillas Have Yeast, Carbs and Dairy? What Experts Say

Updated on December 21, 2018 By William Smith 5 Comments

Tortillas are a delicious component of many people’s favorite foods. Burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and wrap sandwiches; all use tortillas as a key ingredient. 

If you are health conscious you may be wondering what this means for your digestive system as well as your waistline.

Knowing whether foods have certain ingredients is important. This is especially true for people who may have food sensitivities.

Some people may restrict their consumption of certain things by choice, while for others it is due to medical necessity. This brings us to the question: do tortillas have yeast, dairy, and carbs?

do tortillas have dairy

Is There Any Yeast in Tortillas?

Yeast is a common ingredient that inflates bread. Since tortillas are meant to be flat, they do not usually contain yeast. This is good news for anyone with a yeast sensitivity or intolerance.

Flour tortillas, the type used in burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and wraps, typically do not have yeast in them. They are made using white flour, some type of fat such as lard or shortening, water, and salt.

However, there are a few additives to watch for when buying flour tortillas. Obviously, if yeast is listed among the ingredients on a package, that particular brand should be avoided. Sugar should also be avoided because it contributes to the growth of yeast.

You should also watch for hidden ingredients and fillers, such as yeast extract or MSG. Try to find a brand of tortillas that sticks to the simple ingredients: flour, lard, water, salt.

What Experts Say About Having Dairy in Tortillas?

Now that we have addressed the issue of yeast, you may be wondering, do tortillas have dairy? Let’s review the standard ingredients: flour, lard, water, and salt. When tortillas follow the traditional recipe they do not contain dairy.

However, like with yeast, it is important to search the ingredients list to confirm there is no dairy in your tortillas. Sometimes preservatives or fillers may be added, and some of these may contain dairy.

There are some obvious clues, such as seeing milk or cream listed among the ingredients. However, it is usually the more subtle ingredients that catch people off guard. Lactose, casein, and whey are all dairy products that may be used as fillers in some brands.

In most cases, tortillas do not contain dairy. It is always wise to verify this by checking the list of ingredients on the package, particularly if you have a dairy intolerance or allergy.

See Our Article On ​Are Tortillas Vegan?​​​

Do Tortillas Have Carbs?

Carbs have become a buzzword in recent decades. Low carb and no carb diets have come in and out of favor. In addition, awareness of diseases such as Crohn’s and Celiac has risen. As more people are diagnosed, they are looking for ways to eliminate certain types of carbs from their diets.

It is important to note, that there are a wide variety of carbs, and depending on the goal not all of them may need to be restricted. Someone on a low carb diet may restrict all types of carbs, while someone with Crohn’s or Celiac Disease may only restrict certain types.

The question remains; do tortillas really have carbs? The answer is yes. Flour is the primary ingredient in tortillas, and flour does contain carbs. There are alternatives to traditional flour tortillas if you need to restrict your carb intake.

Low carb and gluten free varieties provide a solution for those who still want to enjoy their favorite recipes. You can also try making your own tortillas at home. By substituting white flour for an alternative, such as almond flour, you can reduce the number of carbs and create your own healthy creations.

Wrapping Up

Tortillas can provide a healthy, delicious solution to mealtime. They are versatile and can be used in a wide variety of popular foods.

In addition, they also are typically yeast and dairy free as long as they are prepared in a traditional manner. It is always wise to double check and make sure that a particular brand doesn’t have any added ingredients you may be trying to avoid though.

While tortillas do have carbs, there are several solutions available. You can buy low carb or gluten free varieties at most grocery stores.

As an alternative, you can also try making your own tortillas. This gives you the power to control the ingredients that go into them. You can experiment with different types of alternative flours to find the perfect solution for your family.

Are Corn & Flour Tortillas Healthy? Why Should You Eat Tortilla Chips

Updated on June 8, 2018 By William Smith Leave a Comment

Don’t you just love tortilla? And tortilla chips too! You can pair tortillas with just about whatever you fancy. You hear “tortilla” and you can almost imagine that delicious burst of flavor when you bite into a scrumptious burrito.

And those tortilla chips are to-die-for especially when dipped in spicy tomato salsa. If you love tortilla chips you’d wish you could keep eating them, but then you start thinking, are tortilla chips healthy?

served tortilla on a plate

Nutritional Value of Tortilla and Tortilla Chips

Well, just like any other type of food, moderation is important. Anything you eat beyond its suggested serving size poses a potential risk to your health.

What exactly do you get from tortillas and tortilla chips, aside from extreme gastronomic satisfaction, that is?

How Many Calories in a Serving of Tortilla

Serving Size: Two 6-inch tortillas

A serving size of 2 tortillas that are 6 inches across has about 110 calories. It contains 3g of protein, 1.5g fat and 23g carbohydrates.

The calorie content is 12.3% of the daily value based on a 2000-calorie diet. Take note that every person’s body is different and each one’s dietary needs vary.

Vitamins and Minerals in Tortillas

          ● Dietary Fiber - tortillas are a source of dietary fiber. This assists our digestive system by improving bowel movement. Dietary fiber also helps to lessen the risk of diabetes and heart disease. For better fiber consumption, have whole grain tortillas instead of plain white ones.

          ● Iron - Improves blood circulation, promotes a healthy immune system and maximizes Vitamin A absorption. A 12-inch tortilla or two 6-inch tortillas have 3.9g of iron which is 49% of the required daily value for males and 22% for females.

          ● Niacin (Vitamin B3), Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) - B vitamins support the body’s metabolism. Proper niacin and pantothenic acid intake improves the body’s ability to process fats as well as carbohydrates and proteins, converting them into fuel. They also improve your body’s ability to cope with stress.

          ● Sodium - this mineral is the key to a healthy brain and muscles. It helps with fluid retention in the body.

How Many Calories in a Serving of Tortilla Chips

Serving size: 10-15 chips (1 oz)

The proper serving size of tortilla chips is roughly 10 to 15 chips or about 1 ounce. No, an entire bag is not one serving, sorry.

One serving of tortilla chips has roughly 146 calories, 7g of fat, 19g carbohydrates and 2g protein.

Served Tortilla Chips

Vitamins and Minerals in Tortilla Chips

          ● Thiamin (Vitamin B1), Pyrixodine (Vitamin B6), Niacin (Vitamin B3) & Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5 - B vitamins help to improve and maintain the adrenal function, keep the nervous system in good running order and improves metabolism. They also help reduce fatigue.

          ● Sodium - helps maintain water balance in the body

          ● Calcium - helps build strong bones and teeth

          ● Iron - required in the production of healthy red blood cells

          ● Copper and Manganese - copper acts as an antioxidant as well as helps keep the nervous system and immune system healthy. Manganese works with other minerals to help improve bone health and metabolism.

          ● Phosphorus - helps maintain strong bones and teeth. It also helps keep the kidney healthy through detoxification.

The Secret to Harnessing the Health Benefits of Tortillas and Tortilla Chips

These health benefits are completely useless if you do not follow the proper serving portions. Moderate intake is the key to maintaining a healthy relationship with tortillas and tortilla chips.

If you’re wondering, “Are tortillas fattening?” The answer is yes, if you eat too much of it. The recommended serving size is 10 to 15 chips only. Don’t go eating a large bag of it.

It takes about 45 minutes of walking to burn the calories in tortilla and tortilla chips. So, if you exercise regularly or at least walk that much in a week, you can easily burn off those calories. If you eat one serving per week, that is.

Needless to say, tortillas and tortilla chips are not for everyday consumption. If you want to stay healthy and be able to eat more tortillas and tortilla chips in the future, eat proper portions now.

Final Words

You can go ahead and binge on entire bags of tortilla chips now and wolf down 2 to 3 tacos. But don’t go crying once you’re told by your doctor to refrain from eating them forever in the future.

Whereas if you exercise some self-control and eat only as recommended, you’d be sure to keep enjoying these delicacies for many more years to come. When it comes to your food, moderation is the key to self-preservation. 

Don't you satisfy with this piece? We've another article completely dedicated for the comparison of corn and flour tortilla! Check that out.

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