Tortillas de Queso! Homemade Tortilla Recipe with Butter

Want to amp up your Taco Tuesday?! Try this homemade tortilla recipe with butter and a tiny bit of cheese in the middle…YUMMM!

If you love Mexican food as much as we do at Farmhouse 181, you’re going to be excited about these Tortillas de Queso! Mexican food is pretty much the only cuisine we eat out since it is something that I don’t cook as well…yet! But little by little, I am adding some awesome Mexican food dishes to my arsenal. Full Mexican meals will be making their way into our home meal planning in no time!

Nothing compares to the warmth and flavor of fresh, homemade tortillas right off the skillet, except maybe a warm buttered biscuit! After many attempts (and a few funny-shaped results), I’ve finally found a recipe that’s not only delicious but also achievable—even if your tortillas aren’t perfectly round yet!

This recipe, inspired by a Facebook reel by Jerry Yguerabide, features soft, buttery tortillas with a little surprise of cheese tucked inside. Whether you’re looking to elevate Taco Tuesday or just want to try your hand at making tortillas from scratch, this homemade tortilla recipe with butter is a must-try!

See full recipe card for the Tortillas de Queso, Homemade Tortilla Recipe with Butter at the bottom of the page with detailed ingredients list and full step-by-step instructions. Print to save in your cookbook binder or bookmark this page!

A Brief History of Tortillas

Tortillas are a staple of Mexican cuisine, with a history that traces back thousands of years to the indigenous peoples of Northern Mexico. Traditionally made from corn, flour tortillas emerged later and became popular in northern regions due to the availability of wheat. Today, flour tortillas are enjoyed worldwide, prized for their soft texture and versatility. Making your own homemade tortillas is a way to connect with this rich tradition and savor the flavors of authentic Mexican food.

Why We Love this Homemade Tortilla Recipe with Butter

There’s something about the combination of butter and melted cheese that takes these tortillas to the next level. The butter keeps them soft, while the cheese adds a little something special to every bite. If you’ve struggled with making tortillas in the past, this recipe might just change the game for you.

So the next time you’re craving Mexican food, skip the store-bought and whip up a batch of these Tortillas de Queso instead. Pair them with your favorite fillings or just enjoy them warm off the skillet with a bit of butter. Trust me, they’re worth the extra effort! Don’t forget to check out Jerry Yguerabide’s reel for a video guide to this recipe!

Why Make Tortillas from Scratch?

When you are trying to make any kind of particular cuisine, typically anything store bought just does not cut it for an authentic taste. Examples…jarred pasta sauce, frozen homestyle meatballs, refrigerated biscuits, gravy mix. In my experience, they just don’t take your meal to that next level. Same with store bought packaged tortillas. Grocery store, pre-packaged tortillas just don’t have the same softness and flavor as homemade ones. Plus, when you make them yourself, you get to control the ingredients—no preservatives or additives here! While completely homemade isn’t realistic all of the time, we do try when we can. See our food philosophies to learn more on how we view our food and health. These homemade tortillas de queso are:

• Soft and pliable
• Buttery with a cheesy twist
• Perfect for tacos, burritos, sandwich wraps, or even just snacking (we ate several butter tortillas before dinner!)

Once you try this homemade tortilla recipe with butter, you might never go back to store-bought!

Ingredients for Homemade Tortilla Recipe with Butter

• 4 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• ¼ cup Butter, melted
• 1½ cups Hot Water
• 2 cups Shredded Cheese (about 1 tbsp per tortilla)

Substitutions

• Whole Wheat Flour: For a healthier twist, substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
• Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil: If you’re out of butter, both oils can be used as a replacement. However, butter gives these tortillas a richer flavor and softer texture.
• Shredded Cheese: Use whatever you have. I just used a colby-jack cheese block that I grated before making the tortillas

How to Make Tortillas de Queso from Scratch

1. Mix the Dough

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cups of flour, salt, and baking powder.
• Add the melted butter and hot water to the dry ingredients.
• Mix with your hands until a shaggy dough forms. If it feels too dry, add a bit more hot water.
• Knead the dough until it comes together smoothly and no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.

Tip: Using a stand mixer with a dough hook can save time and give you a smooth dough with less effort.

2. Rest the Dough

• Cover the tortilla dough in your large bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for about 20-30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll out later.
• Letting the dough rest allows the gluten to relax, ensuring your tortillas are soft and don’t shrink back when rolled out. Resting also allows the dough to fully hydrate and flavors blend together.

3. Form and Fill the Tortillas

• Divide the dough into 2 oz pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
• Flatten each ball of dough into a small disc.
• Add about a tablespoon of shredded cheese to the center, then wrap the dough around the cheese, sealing it at the top.
• Flatten the dough ball back into a disc.

Tips for Rolling Out a Round Tortilla

• Flour your surface lightly to prevent sticking on your work surface. Too much flour can make your tortillas dry. Make sure you have a lightly floured surface for every tortilla.
• Use a rolling pin and rotate the dough often for an even shape. What helped me the most was a roll, roll, flip and rotate 1/4, repeat pattern!
• Practice makes perfect—even if they’re not round, they’ll still taste amazing!
• If you have a tortilla press, it can help create a uniform thickness, though it might not work as well with the cheese-filled version. A tortilla press intended for corn tortillas has never gotten my flour tortillas thin enough in my experience. They had to be hand rolled with a rolling pin. Adding in the press really just made it more work.

Pro Tip: Use parchment paper or plastic wrap to prevent sticking if you struggle with rolling out tortillas.

4. Cook the Tortillas

• Heat a cast iron skillet on medium heat. My burners get pretty hot, so I kept mine on low and it worked out perfectly.
• Cook each tortilla until it puffs up and gets small brown spots—about 1–2 minutes per side.
• Remove from the skillet and keep warm under a clean kitchen towel until you’re ready to serve.

For best results, cook tortillas on a dry, ungreased pan. I use one of my lesser seasoned cast iron skillets. I had enough time to roll my next piece of dough out while the previous tortilla was cooking. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a tortilla press instead of rolling them out?
Since these tortillas have cheese inside, a rolling pin works best for even distribution. I also have never had luck using my tortilla press for flour tortillas. They are never thin enough.

Can I substitute the butter for oil?
Butter gives these tortillas their rich, soft texture, but you can use vegetable oil or olive oil if needed.

What cheese works best?
Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby-Jack or even a blend of cheeses like a Mexican blend from the grocery store melts just fine in this recipe.

How to Store and Freeze Your Homemade Tortillas

• To store: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
• To freeze: Stack cooled tortillas with parchment paper between each one, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months per google…we would probably keep them longer around Farmhouse 181.
• To reheat: Warm in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until soft.

Other Farmhouse 181 Recommendations 

I hope you love this tortilla recipe with butter as much as we do at Farmhouse 181. Leave a comment below and let me know how yours turned out, and don’t forget to share if you make them! 🌮🔥

If you loved this recipe, you might also be interested in the following Farmhouse 181 recipes. Try them out and let us know what you think!

• The Best Snacking Mild Salsa
• Easy Taco Soup Recipe with Rotel (Instant Pot or Crock Pot)
• Quick 2 Ingredient Biscuits…You Heard It Right