What is a Tortilla Press?
A tortilla press is precisely that, a press for making tortillas. A tortilla press or a tortilla maker’s material is (usually) metal tool with a base, top, and handle. The base and top are flat (sometimes with a design imprinted in them) and round and are connected with a hinge. You lift the top up with the handle, place a ball of corn or flour dough in the center, and press the top down to form a tortilla (which will then need to be baked).
Basically, when you purchase a tortilla press, it allows you to make your own tortillas at home.
Why You Should Own One
As we mentioned above, having this as a part of your cookware can help you make your own tortillas at home, and there are a variety of benefits that come with being able to do that.
- First, you can create any type of tortilla that you want. You can make flour tortillas or corn tortillas; you can add extra herbs and spices, change the ratio, make them gluten-free, and do anything else that you can imagine.
- Second, there is nothing better than a freshly-baked tortilla. Sure, you can warm the ones you purchase over a store, but they just don’t compare to the fresh tortillas you have baked yourself. And, it is easy to make your own tortilla dough.
- Third, while making your own dough is easy, it is rolling it out thin enough that is the tricky part. With this maker, you don’t have to worry about that. Lift up the top, put in the dough, press down, and you have perfect tortillas every time.
Top 8 Tortilla Presses
There are so many tortilla presses brands available for purchase in the United States and other countries out there that it can be hard to choose the right one. We have narrowed down the options to bring you 8 of the best brands.
Best Overall
Uno Casa Cast Iron Tortilla Press
www.amazon.com/Uno-Casa-Tortilla-Press-Pre-seasoned/dp/B07H9WF6GH/
This heavy-duty case iron material press is one of the best brands out there. The heavy cast iron will create a tight press that gives consistent tortillas every time, and the cast iron is easy to take care of and will last for as long as you do take care of it.
The 8-inch press can handle all types of tortilla and comes with 100 pieces of pre-cut parchment paper to make easy work of the process.
If you want to mix it up, there is an included helpful recipe book when you purchase, and you can use the press to make your favorite pie, tostone, dumpling, roti, empanada, and arepa recipes too.
Best Budget
Imusa Aluminum Tortilla Press
www.amazon.com/IMUSA-MEXI-86008-Tortilla-8-Inch-Silver/dp/B006N453NQ/
This lightweight aluminum press is not only helpful but is easy to use and easily transportable. Thanks to its light weight while being strong – with this you can easily bring the press in and out of storage when you need it or just keep it on your counter for everyday use.
This is an 8-inch press, and the aluminum handle gives you a lot of leverage, giving you tortillas that measure up to the heavier cast-iron presses. The best thing about this press? The price! For the cost of a couple of packs or tortillas, you have your very own press.
Cast Iron
Bioexcel Cast Iron Tortilla Press
www.amazon.com/Bioexcel-8-Inch-Tortilla-Presser-Handle/dp/B075834NYW/
Thanks to its great price, this helpful durable cast iron tortilla maker makes it easy to create your favorite tortilla recipes. The extra weight on the top and base not only add sturdiness to the press, but also helps you to get leverage for evenly, extra-thin tortillas.
The press is pre-seasoned with flax oil so that it is ready to go straight out of the box, and the handle is easily detachable so that it can be easy to clean. Use this press for all your favorite tortilla recipes, along with patacones, arepas, quesadillas, and empanadas.
Wooden
Hardwood Tortilla Press
www.amazon.com/Hardwood-Tortilla-Press-Oak-Walnut/dp/B0769D3SGS/
If you want to look for brands that have something a little different and luxurious, this oak and walnut tortilla press add luxury to your kitchen while still making excellent tortillas. The pressing surface is extra helpful, as it is wide so that you can make 9”+ tortillas, and the wood has been treated with mineral oils for easy cleaning and maintenance.
To buy this press, it will become the focal point of your kitchen.
Electric
MasterChef Electric Tortilla Maker
www.amazon.com/MasterChef-Electric-Flatbread-Tortillas-Non-stick/dp/B079M462QY/
An extra-large press that can be used to create up to 10” tortillas. The best thing about an electric press is that it bakes the tortilla as you press it, saving you from completing two separate processes.
The heavyweight aluminum ensures the pressing surface for a flat tortilla, and you can also use the device to make both pitas and flatbreads. Easy to clean and use, you’ll love the warm smell of fresh tortillas and baking bread. Click the button below to purchase, as well as for further details and reviews.
Non-Stick
8-Inch Tortilla Press
www.amazon.com/Ctzrzyt-Tortilla-Foldable-Non-Stick-Kitchen/dp/B08LW3PJ21/
If you have had a few problems in the past with recipes sticking to the tortilla press surface that is a real pain to clean, then invest in this handy little press essentials and forget about those problems. With robust alloy for extra durability, this helpful press will make it easy to slip out the tortilla when done.
On top of it, this is a great all-round press that gives you lots of leverage.
Aluminum
Norpro 6” Tortilla Maker
www.amazon.com/Norpro-1063-6-tortilla-maker/dp/B00004UE8E/
This lightweight aluminum press is easy to use and store and has the perfect pressing surface to take with you wherever you go. The aluminum is strong and light, letting you press 6” tortillas for fun mealtimes.
A great press for all types of tortillas, but reviews shown that these are especially good for corn tortillas.
Best Looking
Verve Culture Tortilla Press
www.amazon.com/Verve-Tortilla-Homemade-Handmade-Aluminum/dp/B07Z6Q6XDX/
Keeping it simple, they say that this aluminum presses look amazing and helpful. It is an extra-large tortilla press so that you can create all sizes of tortilla, and the handmade construction brings you durability and function with elegance and style.
The aluminum is 100% recycled, creating a commitment to sustainability, and is crafted by artisans outside of Mexico City. Use it to make all of your favorite tortillas. You can buy this through the button below.
Which Type is Best for Flour Tortillas?
There may have been a time when you say that you would have one type of press recommended reviews over another, but those days are gone, and press technology has caught up. If you are making flour tortillas, you can go ahead and use almost any press (cast iron, aluminum, wood), but be sure to use some parchment (or other liners). Flour dough vary in texture – it can get sticky, so you will have the best results if you use a layer between the tortilla and the press.
Which Type is Best for Corn Tortillas?
If you talk to a few people in Mexico (and those not in Mexico), you will often be told that you need to have corn tortillas with your meal if you want an authentic Mexican experience. And, if you have corn tortillas, then cast iron is the most authentic way to go.
You should chose a cast-iron press and a cast-iron pan to cook the tortilla after. Using some oil on the press should keep it from sticking, but you can use a liner if you notice that the corn tortillas are sticking often.
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How to Use
The first thing to purchase and to make is your dough. You need to start by choosing flour or corn tortillas, and you can find lots of helpful recipes online, such as on pinterest (and some might come with your tortilla press). Once you chose your dough, you should prevent sticking. The most common way to do this is to line the tortilla press with parchment paper.
When you are ready to continue, open the tortilla press, submit and place the recommended amount of dough on the center of the base. Lightly press down on the dough with your thumb or palm to ensure even distribution when you use the press.
Use the handle to press down the top of the press onto the dough, and exert enough pressure to flatten the dough. Pull the lever back up and check that the tortilla is the right thickness and shape. Press down again if needed before baking and enjoying a delicious homemade tortilla.
Other Uses
While tortilla presses are ideal for creating tortillas, there are other uses for them which can be found below, mainly in the kitchen.
If you like to purchase dumplings, you can use a press to create dumpling wrappers. On top of it, you can also use them to make flatbreads, rotis, empanadas, pancakes, and any other flatbread. If you have found a helpful recipe to buy, or on Pinterest where you have to roll out some dough, you can use a press to take care of it.
If you have an interest in meat and you want to tenderize it, you can use the press to flatten and shape. You can even use a tortilla press in art projects, using the leverage of the press to print on paper or fabric.
Again, we love to purchase and use a press for plain old tortillas, but don’t be afraid to start from scratch – check helpful reviews to avoid scams and to protect you from buying a low-quality press. You can then experiment with your new favorite toy.
This page last updated December 15, 2022