Is Corn Tortilla Gluten Free?
Tortillas are a great way to enjoy delicious Mexican food. Tortilla tastes best when it’s used to wrap up your favorite meal or as the base for nachos, tacos, and enchiladas!
The two most common types of tortillas include flour and corn, but there are plenty more options out there for you!
Flour tortillas are usually made with wheat flour, vegetable shortening, baking powder, and salt. Masa Harina, a form of corn flour, is used to make tortillas. Both types of tortillas can be used in a variety of dishes.
If you’re gluten-free, you may be asking if corn tortillas are safe to eat. We’ll go through what corn tortillas are made of and whether they’re gluten-free friendly. We’ll also give you a list of brands to search for the next time you’re at the grocery store.
What Is Corn Tortilla?
A corn tortilla is a flour-based flatbread prepared from masa flour, which is a dough produced from nixtamalized corn. Corn tortillas are typically used in Mexican cuisine and can be either soft or crispy.
They can be used as wraps, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and more. Corn tortillas are used in a variety of dishes, including tacos, enchiladas, tostadas, and corn tortilla chips.
If you’re looking to add some Mexican flair to your cooking, corn tortillas are a great place to start. They’re easy to make and can be used in a variety of dishes. So grab some masa flour and get cooking!
How are Corn Tortillas Made?
Corn tortillas are made with just three ingredients: masa harina, water, and salt. Masa harina is a type of corn flour that’s made from treated and dried corn kernels.
To make the tortillas, the masa harina is combined with water and salt to form a dough. The dough is then rolled into balls, flattened, and cooked on a hot griddle.
Corn tortillas can be made using any type of corn, including yellow corn, white corn, or blue corn. The color of the tortillas will depend on the type of corn used. For example, yellow and white tortillas are typically made with yellow corn, while blue tortillas are made with blue corn.
While store-bought tortillas are convenient, nothing beats the taste of a homemade corn tortilla. If you’re feeling ambitious, why not try making your own tortillas at home? It’s really not as difficult as you might think! Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you made them yourself.
Are Corn Tortilla Gluten Free?
You may be surprised to learn that not all whole grains contain gluten. In fact, corn is a whole grain that is always naturally gluten-free. This means that corn tortillas are a great option for those following a gluten-free diet.
So, yes, corn tortillas are gluten free. You can enjoy them safe in the knowledge that they won’t trigger any adverse reactions if you’re celiac or have a gluten intolerance.
Just be careful to check the ingredients list on store-bought varieties, as some may contain gluten due to other added ingredients or cross contamination. If you want to be 100% sure, opt for fresh corn tortillas or make your own at home using masa harina, water, and salt. Enjoy!
How To Make Corn Masa?
What Is Difference Between Masa Vs. Masa Harina Vs. Corn Flour?
When it comes to cooking with corn, there are two main types of flour – masa harina and cornflour. Masa harina, which translates to ‘dough flour’, is a soft flour made from dried corn kernels that have been treated with calcium hydroxide, also known as ‘limewater’.
This alkaline solution helps to soften the kernels, improve their flavor, and even make them easier to digest. The grains are soaked in limewater, after which they’re mashed into a dough known as “masa.”
You have masa harina when this is dried and powdered to a fine powder. This flour is perfect for creating tortillas, empanadas, tamales, gorditas, and more.
In comparison, cornflour (often known as polenta in the UK) is simply ground maize without the alkaline limewater treatment. This means that it won’t create a pliable, cohesive corn tortilla dough in the same way as masa harina would.
It can still be used in a variety of dishes where less dense flour is required, such as breading or as a thickener in sauces.
So, to recap: masa is the wet dough made from soaked and treated corn kernels, masa harina is the dried and powdered form of this dough, and cornflour is simply ground maize without any soaking or treatment.
What’s the Difference Between Corn and Flour Tortillas?
The main difference between corn and flour tortillas is the type of flour used. Flour tortillas are made from wheat flour, whereas corn tortillas are made of corn flour and masa harina.
Corn tortillas are typically smaller and thicker than flour tortillas, as well as being more fragile. They have a sweeter, more corn-like flavor, whereas flour tortillas are milder and more neutral in taste.
Corn tortillas are also more traditionally used in Mexican cuisine, while flour tortillas are more commonly associated with Tex-Mex dishes. However, both types of tortillas can be used in a variety of different ways.
Are Corn Tortillas Healthy?
Corn tortillas are generally considered to be healthier than flour tortillas. This is because they’re made with whole grains and don’t contain any gluten. Whole grains are high in fiber, which is good for your heart and digestive health. They also tend to be lower in calories and fat than their refined counterparts.
While all tortillas are relatively low in calories, corn tortillas are typically lower in fat than flour tortillas. This is because the masa harina used to make them doesn’t contain any additional fat, unlike wheat flour which often has added fats such as lard.
Corn tortillas also have a lower glycemic index than flour tortillas, meaning they’re less likely to cause spikes in blood sugar levels. So, if you’re looking for a healthy option, corn tortillas are the way to go!
Just be sure to check the ingredient list on store-bought varieties, as some may contain unhealthy additives such as preservatives or added sugars.
Which Tortilla Brands Are Gluten-free?
If you’re gluten-free, you might be wondering which tortillas are safe to consume since many brands are available on the market. Here’s a list of some of the most well-known gluten-free corn tortillas.
- La Tortilla Factory
- Guerrero
- Mission Foods
- Food For Life
- Old El Paso
- Ortega
- La Burrita
- Don Pancho
- Great Value
- La Banderita
- Del Campo
- Trader Joe’s
- Mi Rancho
- Vista Hermosa
- If you can’t find any of these brands at your local grocery store, you can always check the label to make sure that the tortillas are made with 100% corn flour and don’t contain any wheat or gluten-containing ingredients.
FAQs
Why Are My Gluten-free Corn Tortillas Falling Apart?
One of the most common questions we get is why our gluten-free corn tortillas are falling apart. There are several possible reasons why this might happen.
- The masa (dough) was not kneaded enough and is too crumbly.
- The masa was not hydrated properly and is too dry.
- The tortillas were not cooked long enough and are too soft.
How Can I Prevent My Gluten-free Corn Tortillas From Falling Apart?
- There are a few things you can do to prevent your gluten-free corn tortillas from falling apart
- Make sure you knead the masa well so it’s smooth and elastic.
- Add the right amount of water to the masa so it’s hydrated but not too sticky.
- Cook the tortillas long enough so they’re firm but still pliable.
Are Corn Tortillas Vegan?
Yes, corn tortillas are vegan as they’re made with just water and masa harina (ground corn).
Do Corn Tortillas Contain Soy?
No, corn tortillas do not contain soy.
Is It Possible to Freeze the Dough?
Yes, it is possible to freeze the dough. However, the texture of the dough may change upon thawing and become crumbly.
It’s best to wrap the dough tightly before freezing to prevent this from happening. Alternatively, you can freeze cooked corn tortillas for up to three months.
Do I Need Special Equipment to Make Corn Tortillas?
No, you don’t need any special equipment to make corn tortillas. All you need is a bowl, a spoon, and a flat surface to roll out the dough.
If you have a tortilla press, it will save you time and effort but is not required.
Is Masa Flour Gluten Free?
Yes, masa flour is gluten-free. It’s made from ground corn that has been treated with lime water.
This process helps to remove the hull and germ from the corn, which makes it more digestible and gives it a finer texture.
Are White Corn Tortillas Gluten Free?
Yes, white corn tortillas are gluten-free. They’re made with just water and masa harina (ground corn).
Do Blue Corn Tortillas Contain Gluten?
No, blue corn tortillas do not contain gluten. They’re made with just water and masa harina (ground corn).
Blue corn tortillas have a sweeter flavor than white or yellow corn tortillas.
Are Yellow Corn Tortillas Gluten Free?
Yes, yellow corn tortillas are gluten-free. Yellow corn tortillas have a nuttier flavor than white or blue corn tortillas.
Do Gluten Free Flour Tortillas Contain Wheat?
No, gluten free flour tortillas do not contain wheat. They’re made with gluten-free flour, water, and a small amount of oil.
Are Corn Tortilla Chips Gluten-free?
The simple answer is: Almost all tortilla chips are gluten-free, as are some other low-carb Mexican foods. Corn tortillas are used to make tortilla chips, and they’re almost always gluten-free.
However, depending on the other ingredients used in the chips (such as flavorings or other add-ins), they may not be gluten-free.
So, before purchasing a bag of tortilla chips, be sure to check the label for a gluten-free designation.
This designation indicates that the product contains less than 20ppm (parts per million) of gluten, as required by the FDA.
Do Corn Tortillas Have Carbs?
Yes, corn tortillas have carbs. One medium-sized corn tortilla has about 15 grams of carbs.
Do Corn Tortillas Contain Fat?
No, corn tortillas do not contain fat. One medium-sized corn tortilla has about 0.45 grams of fat.
Are Corn Tortillas Healthier Than Flour Tortillas?
That depends on your definition of “healthy.” Corn tortillas are lower in calories and carbs than flour tortillas, but they also contain less protein.
So, if you’re looking for a tortilla that will help you lose weight, a corn tortilla is a better choice. If you’re looking for a tortilla that will help you build muscle, a flour tortilla is a better choice.
Conclusion
Corn tortillas are a healthy, gluten-free alternative to flour tortillas. They’re lower in calories and carbs, but they also contain less protein.
Corn tortillas are made with just water and masa harina (ground corn), so they’re vegan and soy-free. You can freeze the dough or cook tortillas for later use. Simply reheat and enjoy when you’re ready to eat.
I hope this article answered all of your questions about corn tortillas! If not, please leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer it.
Thanks for reading!