Are simple paleo tortillas really possible?! If you’re looking for a really easy paleo version of a flour tortilla (or a crepe), look no further.
This recipe originated nearly 5 years ago right here on the blog. At the time, there weren’t very many paleo tortilla recipes out there, and most used coconut flour as a binder.
The result was tortillas that fell apart when you tried to fold them…no bueno.
You might think I set out to create a better, mightier alternative to my tortilla breakage problem…
…but the story is a bit different.
I was about to move to Scotland to be with Z – my then fiance, now husband – and I had a huge bag of arrowroot powder in my pantry to use up. One Sunday morning while we were on FaceTime, I randomly mixed together a bunch of ingredients, and out came these Simple Paleo Tortillas.
I put them up on the blog, and the recipe started spreading like wildfire! Now, these Simple Paleo Tortillas are my #1 recipe of all-time.
What Can You Make With These Paleo Tortillas?
These paleo tortillas hold up to folding or rolling and can be used in sweet or savory applications, and it’s easy to make a double or triple batch in advance and save them for upcoming meals.
Here’s an example of what you can make…
I seasoned some shrimp, fried them up quickly, and stuffed them into the Simple Paleo Tortillas. Then, I topped it with a quick slaw of red and green cabbage, mango, cilantro, and lime juice. And of course, I finished it with some avocado.
Seriously, the sky is the limit.
They’re also perfect for making up some tasty lunches on the go. Some of my readers have been using them to create wraps by laying sliced Applegate turkey on top, adding a dollop of mayo or mustard, and rolling them up. And word on the street is that the kiddos love them.
They key to the flexibility of my Simple Paleo Tortillas is to use arrowroot flour, sometimes called arrowroot powder.
What is Arrowroot Flour?
Arrowroot is a starchy gluten-free tuber. When dried and made into a flour, it has thickening properties kind of like tapioca. In fact, you can use tapioca flour – not the pearls – as a substitute. The starchiness of the arrowroot when combined with the egg makes for a tortilla that’s flexible and won’t break.
Here’s another idea:
Can You Freeze These Tortillas?
Make up a batch of these Skirt Steak Fajitas and serve the tortillas on the side.
I tested the Simple Paleo Tortillas to see how well they’d freeze. I rolled the tortillas up, froze them, then thawed them out.
When I unrolled them after thawing, they ended up completely flexible! Win. You could totally double or triple the batch, then freeze the extras for later.
Watch my cooking show episode for Simple Paleo Tortillas:
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Simple Paleo Tortillas
Simple Paleo Tortillas are so easy to make and won't break when folded! Gluten-free and paleo, these are a game-changer for paleo eaters!
Ingredients
- 2 eggs large
- 1 tsp ghee melted, sub: melted coconut oil for 100% dairy-free
- 1 tbsp water
- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
- 1 tsp coconut flour
- Pinch sea salt
- *If making crepes for a sweet recipe add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Crack the eggs into a medium-sized bowl and whisk in the melted ghee and water.
- Add the dry ingredients—arrowroot, coconut flour and salt—and beat well to combine.
- In a small skillet (8") over medium heat, pour in about ⅓ of the batter and immediately roll it around to evenly coat the bottom. The tortilla should start to pull away from the edges as it cooks.
- Cook for 1 minute on each side.
- If saving for later, cool completely and store in a plastic bag or airtight glasslock container.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- You can substitute avocado oil or melted coconut oil for the ghee.
- If you can't use coconut flour, just add an extra teaspoon of arrowroot powder.
- Plan a month of meals in just 5 minutes with my favorite meal planning app! Learn more here!
Have a question about these Simple Paleo Tortillas? Let me know in the comments below.
Pin these Simple Paleo Tortillas for later.
Is there anything i can use in place of ghee?
Hi Amy…melted coconut oil should work very well!
In the directions you mention baking soda. How much baking soda should me added. Thanks, Chris
A change was made and I forgot to delete it from the directions. No baking soda is needed.
I made these this morning and coconut oil works phenomenally in place of ghee or butter.
Good to know! Thanks!
Are these similar to salad wraps that you would take to work, just cold meat and veg
Any substitute for arrowroot?
Tapioca powder / flour also works.
I love this recipe! It’s my favorite tortilla recipe actually!! However is there any possibility that almond flour would work instead of arrowroot or tapioca? My doctor has me switching to the SCD diet & I’m not allowed either one of these flours. Would almond flour hold up? Or do you have any other suggestions? Thanks!!
Hi Jennifer,
Unfortunately, in this recipe and in these proportions, almond flour won’t work. It has no starch and the texture won’t hold together. There are almond flour tortilla recipes out there on the web and a quick search might yield you a good one!
good to know, I was just going to post this question! I will try these soon.
Hi, if I fry them longer can make tortilla chips? Any suggestions?
You can try yes. People have fried the whole thing to make a crispy tortilla.
Ghee is pretty much just clarified butter.
Exactly right!
You can also sub fresh Lard if you can get it clean. Lard is considered a healthy fat. Plus not using ghee makes these closer to true Paleo and more Digestive System friendly.
How does using ghee make them closer to Paleo? Curious as to your thoughts. Yes, lard is awesome too.
DJRazorgirl actually said NOT using ghee makes it closer to paleo. 🙂 And I understand why. I’m pretty sure that our paleo ancestors didn’t often clarify their butter into ghee 😉 Most of em didn’t even have butter.
If you take the stance that Paleo eating is a historical re-enactment then you would conclude that was true. I look at things from a physiological perspective 😉
Wouldn’t that logic also mean that you wouldn’t eat anything grown more than a few miles from where you lived (coconuts)? And probably wouldn’t use any modern cooking techniques to prepare your food?
And you wouldn’t use computers either…
Hi, I was wondering how easy this is to multiply? Or would it just be easier to do them batches at a time? My family eats A LOT of tortillas and wraps… I’ve been looking for something better and/or cheaper than what I’ve found in the store!
You can very easily multiply this recipe 🙂
Hi
What about the flavor? I have noticed that some recipes add garlic and onion powders to prevent the tortillas from tasting like coconut or egg.
some ppl think it tastes eggy and that makes sense given it’s the base of the tortillas. You could add onion or garlic if you want.
Kelsie
I make only 8x batches that make about 24 tortillas.
Recently I have been mixing the batter in my Vitamix.
It takes a bit over an hour of my time and I freeze a lot of them.
Ghee actually is paleo friendly as the process for making it removes the lactose and casein from “grass fed” unsalted butter. Once the milk solids are simmered and removed from the butter it becomes ghee… Which means it is no longer classified as a dairy product.
Thanks Heather that description is awesome. I understand it a lot better. I’m doing the whole30 & didn’t understand how Ghee is an approved whole30 item.
I’m on day 20 of W#) love it so far! Feel awesome thanks for the info on paleo and receipt. I was looking for a homemade wrap, this looks good.
Best to you on your journey! 😉
Thoughts on whether these fall under the ‘do not recreate not paleo foods’ while on Whole30? I figured these would be a no-no, but plan to make when I finish!
Technically these are SWYPO. I’ve asked Melissa & Dallas directly.
Hi! We are a paleo/primal family and this looks awesome. I have a quick question, do you think this would adapt well to using a flax egg instead of real eggs? I love eggs but my new squish has a sensitivity so due to nursing I am not eating eggs…. let me know what you think, thanks for the awesome recipe! My kids will def love them regardless ha ha
Hi Sarah…thanks for stopping by. Ah, great question and I’m not 100% convinced they would provide the same texture/flexibility or hold together. I hear you on the egg challenge…my bf can’t have eggs either. If you give it a try with the flax sub. let me know how it goes!
You may need to use a tiny bit more baking soda if using flax eggs.
Great tip, Brenda!
Is your recipe correct on the amounts of arrowroot and coconut flour? Because on your video when you’re adding the arrowroot it doesn’t look like a 1/4 cup and same for the coconut flour, it looks like more than 1 tsp coconut flour?
I doubled the recipe on the video, same proportions.
I have used psyllium husk as an egg replacer. I grind it into a powder in my nutribullet and it is amazing. When combined with liquid, it gels.
Hey ladies! We have lots of allergies so applesauce is our substitute for a nice liquidy egg. If you only need a little give, I’d say flax meal, but try applesauce!
Ahhhh thank you Amanda!!
Flax Eggs??? I don’t think I have ever heard of these before 😉
Hi Clay…some folks use a flax/water mixture to replicate the texture that an egg would give if they can’t eat eggs for some reason 🙂
I would try a tapioca/starch egg! Here are some instructions: http://freerangecookies.com/2012/09/20/tapioca-gel-as-xanthan-andor-egg-substitute/ Good luck!
Thanks April!
You might be able to eat duck eggs. For those with chicken egg allergies, duck eggs can be an alternative, not 100% of the time. but it works for me. They are so much better than chicken eggs in my opinion.
I use 1/2 cup of mashed ripe banana in place of each egg in cake recipes if I don’t have any eggs would that work in this recipe?
Hi Karen…no idea but I suppose it’s worth a shot!
Karen,
Bananas should work, but you probably wouldn’t want to use them if you were wanting tortillas to go with dinner. They do retain the banana flavor. Great if you’re wanting a dessert shell.
Bob’s red mill has an egg replacer. I got some from apple crate. you could try that.
Thanks for that info, Michelle!!
I just saw that egg replacer at the store today, and when I looked at the ingredients it contained soy flour. 🙁
Aw nuts!! That’s not nice!
I’m not sure how an egg replacer would work in this recipe, but the EnerG brand does not contain any soy.
I’m not sure but if you try it, let me know how it comes out!
I’m curious if chia seeds with water would work as a substitute. The mixture can become rather gelatinous/binding and may be a good replacement for egg.
I think it would but the texture of the tortillas would be completely different.
I will be trying this recipe as is, to know how it tastes then substituting the eggs for a a gelatin mixture I have been eager to try, it was 1 egg equals 1 tbls gelatin in tbls cold water then mixing in 2 tbls boiling water till frothy, knowing my ideas this will probably be a fail but I will try at least :)!!!
That’s definitely creative, Teri! How’d it go?
Hello,
What is flax eggs? I never heard of that, and where do you get it?
Thanks Cathy
Hi Cathy,
I think what Sarah means is using flax mixed with water as a substitute for egg in recipes where you need a binder. See an example here: http://www.thekitchn.com/egg-substitutes-in-baking-try-95072
hehe your new squish!
What are flax eggs? My hubby and I are also sensitive to eggs and I am looking for a good recipe that is gluten free. This one sounds good if I can use an egg substitute.
http://minimalistbaker.com/how-to-make-a-flax-egg/
If you can’t use eggs, I recommend this recipe instead: http://meatified.com/foolproof-grain-free-tortillas-aip/
How long do they store for in the glass container & can you freeze them to use for a later date?
Hi there! I kept mine for about 2 days after I made them and they were okay. I’m honestly not sure how they’d hold up to freezing though :/ Sorry I don’t have a better answer.
Hi these freeze great rolled up. This batter also makes incredible waffles. You need a waffle iron with expanding hinges though plus a lock on the front that has some space even when closed. I also used it to make Yorkshire pudding! If it’s hot in summer refrigerate them. Oh and the waffles freeze stacked in a baggie just fine and go straight from freezer to toaster. Enjoy and thanks so much for the recipe!♡
Oh wow! I had never thought of using it for that!!
Heather,
Do you mean you individually rolled each tortilla then froze? Did you freeze in a baggie?? Thanks for the help!
Hi Robin,
I can’t find Heather’s comment, but in regards to freezing them, I have done that and it works quite well.
What about freezing them flat with in a ziplock freezer bag with a piece of parchment paper in between each one?
Absolutely! 🙂
Id also like to know if you store them in the fridge or cupboard?
Store these in the fridge for best results.
I just made coconut flour tortilla/crepes yesterday, but these look SO much better! Next up on the baking list!
Woohoo! Let me know how they compare. Thanks for stopping in, Katie!
Hi, I am eating paleo and am also diabetic…do you know the glycemic index of these tortillas?
Hi Patty…I do not. I suppose since it’s a majority eggs and arrowroot, the GI of those two products would give you a ball park estimate?
With the arrowroot, it looks like about 7g carbs per tortilla, if you make 4.
Thanks for providing the answer!
Patty. Enter the recipe into a diet site like sparkpeople.com and it will tell you how many carbs each serving has. you can also get other nutritional details from them. Sparkpeople has a recipe section where you can enter your recipes to get that info.
Wow! Thank you for the referral to sparkpeople.com. I’ve found sooo many luscious recipes on grain free and paleo websites but none gives nutritional info (calories, carbs, etc). Love this,
Do you know the nutritional info for the whole batch?
Hi Melissa, I don’t have it, but if you plug the quantities into a program like Fit Day, it should give you the breakdown 🙂
Is there anything lower in carbs that I could substitute for the arrowroot powder? I thought maybe xanthan gum but some people say yes and no on paleo…. what do you think? Thanks =)
Hi Melissa…the only two that I’ve heard people consistently getting good results with would be arrowroot or tapioca flour / powder. The whole batch is around 30 grams carbs give or take a few grams. For xanthan gum, it’s another thickener / starch obtained from bacteria and in order to purify it, it’s highly processed. I think it depends which definition of paleo you’re following and what your goals are to really decide if it’s a good option.
Hi! Am anxious to make these.. could I sub tapioca flour for the arrowroot powder?
Hi Bridget…not sure if it would give the same texture but I think it’s worth a try!
update: I went ahead and got the arrowroot powder. This recipe is AMAZING!! My four kids (all under age 10) took a wrap ham sandwich to school today in their lunch using these tortillas and they were a HUGE hit! Thank you so very much for this recipe. It’s super easy and your timing was perfect as I’ll be using these in lunches for the whole family every week this school year and beyond!
Yay!! This is really great news. I’m glad to hear the kiddos liked them…that’s usually a good test to pass 🙂
Isn’t tapioca flour and arrowroot the same thing?
They’re very similar and are both obtained from tropical / subtropical plants. Arrowroot generally comes from cassava while tapioca comes from manioc.
I used to be able to get Arrowroot powder in Australia but now the same product is “called” Arrowroot but says Tapioca as the ingredient – as if they were the same thing !!
They’re really similar and can be used interchangeably in most applications 🙂