Can you freeze tortilla shells?

In the following guide we will discuss the question, “can you freeze tortilla shells?” We will discuss the types, proper ways to make and freeze tortilla shells. We will get to know the benefits of freezing tortillas. 

Can you freeze tortilla shells?

Yes, you can easily freeze tortilla shells. Tortilla shells are perishable food and they must be refrigerated. If you want to store them for a longer duration, they must be kept in the freezer.

Freezing increases the shelf life of tortillas and you can use them for months. Freezing tortillas require much care because they usually stick to each other.

What is a tortilla shell and how is it made?

Tortilla or tortilla shell is a  thin bread made from different types of flour, mainly corn and wheat flour. 

Tortillas are eaten in many ways all over the world. Tortillas made from maize were the first to originate in Mexico. Mexican people used to eat maize tortillas. 

Wheat tortillas were also introduced by Mexicans and their use increased in America and Europe. Now tortillas are mostly used for tacos. There are many types of tortillas, here we will discuss a few of them.

Corn tortilla

These tortillas originated first and people have been aware of them for centuries. Corn tortillas are usually made from corn and in America we have only 1 kind of corn tortillas but in Mexico, we have many varieties of corn tortillas.

Flour tortilla

As the name indicates, flour tortillas are made from all-purpose flour and they are normally eaten by the people or in the region where the staple food is wheat. Flour tortillas are very easy to make and they are eaten in the form of burritos, and tacos.

Spanish tortilla

These tortillas are not made from any flour, instead they are made from potatoes and eggs. These tortillas are more complete and it is eaten by Spanish people. It is very easy to make these tortillas and spices are added to them to make them flavorful.

Beetroot tortillas

As the name indicates these types of tortillas are made from beetroot juice and beetroot powder instead of typical flour. This tortilla is very healthy and it provides the health benefits of beetroot in tortillas. Eating beetroot tortillas in the morning is a very healthy choice.

What are the ways to freeze tortilla shells?

Tortilla shells can be frozen easily. There are two ways to freeze tortillas. There are so many tortillas available in the market that are cooked and frozen and you just need to reheat them. You can also store them or you can make your tortilla shells at home and you can freeze them.

Freezing cooked tortillas

Yes, you can easily freeze cooked tortillas if you do not like the taste and texture of frozen tortillas.

  • For this, you need to take flour and add water and oil to it. The addition of oil will make your tortillas soft.
  • You have to make a dough of your flour with water and flour. Do not make your dough softer.
  • After this roll 6 inches of tortillas and roll them thin and even from all over.
  • Now cook your tortillas on a hot pan and cook them from both sides until they are brown.
  • Do not overcook them
  • Now let them cool and put them in aluminium foil and then add them in a zip lock bag and make sure to remove all the air so that the tortillas may remain fresh.
  • Now put them in the freezer and make sure to freeze them flat otherwise they will break when you will defrost them.
  • When you are ready to eat them just defrost them in the oven.

Freezing uncooked tortillas

  • Yes, you can easily store uncooked tortillas. For this, you need to take flour and add water and oil to it. The addition of oil will make your tortillas soft.
  • You have to make a dough of your flour with water and flour. Do not make your dough softer.
  • After this roll 6 inches of tortillas and roll them thin and even from all over.
  • Carefully stack each tortilla over each other and separate them with the help of a plastic sheet so that they might not stick to each other.
  • Now put them in aluminium foil and then add them in a zip lock bag and make sure to remove all the air so that the tortillas may remain fresh.
  • Now put them in the freezer and make sure to freeze them flat otherwise they will break when you will defrost them.
  • When you are ready to eat them just cook them in the pan.

What are the benefits of freezing tortillas shells?

Following are the benefits of freezing tortillas shells:

  • Freezing tortillas saves your cooking time.
  • Tortillas are a healthy option to eat as it contains a good amount of fibres and other vitamins and minerals.
  • Freezing increases the shelf life of tortillas.

Other FAQs about Tortillas that you may be interested in.

Is it okay to eat tortillas after the expiration date?

Can dogs eat tortillas?

Can dogs eat tortilla chips?

What is an 8-inch tortilla used for?

Conclusion 

In the following guide we discussed the question, “can you freeze tortilla shells?” We discussed the types and proper ways to make and freeze tortilla shells. We also discussed the benefits of frozen tortillas.

References 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27301975/