Corn vs. Flour Tortillas: What’s the Difference?

Next time you’re whipping up a Mexican-inspired meal in the kitchen, you may find yourself wondering whether corn or flour tortillas are the right fit for your recipe. 

While both corn and flour tortillas offer delicious flavor and texture, they each have their own unique qualities that can add to a dish. We like to think of it as the epic showdown between which option is the best fit: flour vs. corn tortillas!

Corn Tortillas 

Typically made from a simple mixture of salt, water, and masa harina (powder from nixtamalized corn), corn tortillas provide a subtle, earthy flavor and delightfully chewy texture. 

Corn tortillas are also a great gluten-free option, as the short ingredient list avoids wheat of any kind. 

Flour Tortillas 

Lightweight and versatile, the main ingredients in flour tortillas include wheat flour, water, salt, and an oil. Due to their soft texture, flour tortillas are an excellent choice for any dish that involves wrapping. 

Flour tortillas have a pleasant, mild taste and often come in larger sizes. 

Corn vs. Flour Tortillas: Best Uses 

Both corn and flour tortillas are quite versatile, and each one favors certain recipes. 

For instance, corn tortillas are commonly used in tacos, enchiladas, and tostadas, to name a few. And while corn tortillas are on the softer side, their durability isn’t to be underestimated – making them a great choice for recipes that involve extra sauces. 

Flour tortillas are perfect for dishes like fajitas, quesadillas, wraps, and more. The pliable, larger nature of flour tortillas make them great for any dish that involves folding. On top of that, flour tortillas are less likely to break or crack so you can load up on your favorite fillings. 

Flour vs. Corn Tortillas: It’s Up to You! 

Both win, in our humble opinion! Whether you pick flour or corn tortillas for your next recipe, you can be sure each one will add a little something extra to each dish.