The Best Flour Tortilla Substitute To Use In A Pinch

Tortillas occupy a special place in the world of flatbreads, mostly due to their versatility. They are thin, pliable, and an ideal canvas for creating a range of dishes. You can wrap almost anything in these soft discs. This versatility is the reason why tortillas have managed to travel beyond their traditional Latin American roots — where they serve as a base for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas — to fit into other cuisines worldwide, finding their way into dishes like Korean wraps and Middle Eastern roll-ups. So, it's only natural to panic when you run out of all-rounder flour tortillas. But, if and when that happens (or even if you're just in the mood to get creative), there's a great substitute for this adaptable flatbread: pita bread.

This light, fluffy bread is almost like the Middle Eastern cousin of flour tortillas. The two have more in common than you might think, which is one reason they are sometimes used interchangeably in dishes like falafel wraps or shawarmas. The primary differences that set them apart are texture and cooking methods. Pita bread has a light and chewy texture, is baked in the oven, and contains yeast to make it puff up slightly, while flour tortillas are elastic and flexible, do not rise, and are made in a heavy skillet or flat pot.

Except for the yeast in pita bread, flour tortillas and pita are made with almost the same ingredients — flour, oil, water, sugar, and salt. This is why they both have a bread-like texture and a neutral taste. The sturdiness of pita makes it well prepared to soak up moisture from meat and vegetables if you're using it to make quesadillas or enchiladas. A concern that can arise is elasticity, as pita is more prone to breaking than tortillas. The best tortilla swap is to opt for a Greek-style pita (without pockets). It is equally sturdy but softer and fluffier than other types of pita, with the flexibility of a yogi (well, almost), making it the perfect choice for wraps.

For pita bread quesadillas, layer fillings like cheese, vegetables, or meats between two pita halves or use one folded pita before toasting them. Much like tortillas, you'll have a crispy, toasted exterior with gooey fillings. As for enchiladas, you can use pita bread by filling it with ingredients like beans, chicken, and cheese, rolling each one up, and baking them in a pan with sauce. Pita bread's structure holds up well under sauces, whether you're making a burrito or a souvlaki wrap. So, the next time you run out of flour tortillas, you know which direction to turn. You can also pick from the list of flatbreads from around the world to find additional alternatives to flour tortillas.