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How to Heat Tortillas for Soft, Flexible Results

Whether you’re making shredded chicken tacos, enchiladas, a layered Mexican casserole, or quesadillas, heating store-bought tortillas—flour or corn—improves them dramatically. Warming tortillas over direct heat softens them, makes them more pliable and brings out a toasty flavor that’s especially important for corn tortillas, which can be dry and prone to cracking when folded.

There are three excellent stove- and grill-based methods to maximize flavor and flexibility without drying your tortillas out. If needed, the oven or microwave will also work in a pinch. The same approaches apply to gluten-free tortillas, though some of those can be a bit more fragile. Level up your next taco night by warming your tortillas first—you’ll notice the difference.

What’s In This Post?

  • Corn vs. Flour Tortillas
  • Warming Tortillas in a Pan on the Stove
  • Heating Tortillas Over a Gas Flame
  • Warming Tortillas on a Grill
  • Warming Tortillas in the Microwave or Oven
  • FAQs
  • Warm Tortillas on the Stove — Quick Recipe
Woman flipping a tortilla in a skillet with tongs.

Corn vs. Flour Tortillas

Both flour and corn tortillas have their place. Flour tortillas are ideal for burritos and wrapping fajitas thanks to their pillowy texture, while corn tortillas offer the authentic flavor and texture many prefer for traditional enchiladas and soft tacos. The warming process is essentially the same for both: regardless of type, heating makes tortillas softer, more flexible and more flavorful.

Warming Tortillas in a Pan on the Stove

You can use the same technique on a griddle as on a skillet.

  1. Heat a skillet: Use a pan slightly larger than your tortillas. Heat over medium; no oil or nonstick spray is necessary.
  2. Warm the tortilla: When the pan is hot, place a tortilla directly in the pan. Heat about 45 seconds, until the bottom shows a few browned spots.
  3. Flip and brown: Use tongs or a fork to flip and warm the other side for about 45 seconds.
  4. Remove and repeat: Transfer the warmed tortilla to a plate or clean surface. Repeat and stack as you go.
Placing tortilla in hot pan.

Heating Tortillas Over a Gas Flame

If you have a gas stove with an open flame, you can toast tortillas directly over it. Do not try this on an electric range.

  1. Set the flame: Turn the burner to medium so the flame barely reaches the grate.
  2. Toast directly: Place a tortilla on the grate over the flame for about 15 seconds, until the bottom has brown spots.
  3. Flip: Use tongs to flip and toast the other side for about 15 seconds.
  4. Remove and repeat: Transfer to a plate and repeat. You can stack warmed tortillas as you go.
Tortilla warming directly on a gas stove.

Warming Tortillas on a Grill

  1. Heat the grill: Preheat to medium. This works on gas, charcoal, or pellet grills.
  2. Grill in batches: Place up to four tortillas at a time directly on the grates so you can control browning.
  3. Flip: Grill about 30 seconds per side, until light brown spots appear.
  4. Remove and repeat: Transfer to a plate and stack as you finish each batch.

How Do You Warm Tortillas in the Microwave or Oven?

Stovetop and grill methods give the best flavor, but microwave and oven methods are convenient when needed.

  • Microwave: Place a small stack of tortillas on a microwave-safe plate. Dampen a paper towel (or use a damp dish towel) and place it over the stack. Microwave about 45 seconds to prevent drying and keep them pliable.
  • Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap a stack of tortillas in aluminum foil and heat about 10 minutes. You won’t get toasted spots, but the tortillas will be warm and soft.
Spoon scooping avocado onto a Shredded Chicken Taco.

FAQs

How do you keep tortillas from getting soggy?

Warm tortillas using the methods above. If you cook them briefly in a bit of oil, the oil creates a light barrier that helps prevent sauce from soaking in—useful for saucy dishes like enchiladas.

Do you need to warm tortillas before making a quesadilla?

It’s not required, but warming the side that touches the cheese first helps the cheese melt faster and more evenly, preventing a burnt outside with unmelted cheese inside. Warming both sides of the tortilla yields the best flavor.

How do you keep tortillas warm?

Keep warmed tortillas folded in a clean dish towel or cloth napkin, and place them in a basket to serve. There are also purpose-built warmers if you serve tortillas often.

Warm Tortillas on the Stove — Quick Recipe

Servings: 3

Prep time: 2 minutes • Cook time: 3 minutes • Total time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 corn or flour tortillas
  • Filling of your choice (burrito, taco, quesadilla, or enchilada ingredients)

Instructions

  1. Heat a pan or griddle over medium to medium-high heat. No oil is necessary.
  2. When hot, place a tortilla in the pan and heat about 45 seconds, until brown spots appear.
  3. Flip with tongs and warm the other side about 45 seconds.
  4. Transfer to a plate or clean surface and repeat; stack tortillas as they’re finished.
Tortilla in a skillet on a stovetop.

Notes

Gas stove method: Turn the burner to medium so the flame barely reaches the grate. Place the tortilla on the grate ~15 seconds per side, using tongs to flip.

Grill method: Heat grill to medium, place up to 4 tortillas at once, and grill ~30 seconds per side until they develop brown spots.

Nutrition (estimate per serving)

Calories: 340 kcal • Carbohydrates: 70 g • Protein: 9 g • Fat: 4 g • Fiber: 10 g