Quick Masa Dough Recipe

By
Lauren Rothman
Lauren Rothman is a contributing writer with Serious Eats.
Lauren Rothman
Lauren Rothman is a food and drinks writer raised in Brooklyn and based in Oaxaca, Mexico. A former professional chef, she develops recipes in addition to reporting on food.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated Aug. 29, 2018
20140512-masa-corn-dough-primary.jpg
Masa made from masa harina comes together in a flash and brings an extra note of authenticity to Latin dishes cooked at home. . Lauren Rothman

Homemade masa dough might sound intimidating, but doesn't have to be: prepackaged masa harina, the coarse flour ground from hominy that's already been slaked with lime in the traditional manner, makes its preparation a snap. Enriched with lard and lightened with baking powder, the dough makes a flavor-packed base for a variety of dishes, including Mexican tacos, gorditas, and sopes, as well as Salvadoran pupusas.

Why this recipe works:

  • Prepackaged masa harina flour eliminates almost all the work of traditional from-scratch masa.
  • Real lard brings rich, porky flavor to the dough (you can use oil if you prefer).
  • All-purpose flour and baking powder guarantee masa that's light and tender, not tough and dense.

Note: Masa freezes beautifully. After forming gordita, pupusa, or sope shells, place extras on a baking sheet in a single layer for 1 hour, then transfer to a zipper-lock bag or airtight container and store in freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost, arrange shells on a plate at room temperature for about 15 minutes, then proceed with recipe.

Recipe Details

Quick Masa Dough Recipe

Active 5 mins
Total 20 mins
Serves 15 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups masa harina

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/4 cup lard or vegetable shortening, melted, or vegetable oil

  • 2 1/4 cups warm water

Directions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine masa harina, flour, baking powder, and salt and whisk to incorporate. Drizzle lard evenly over dry ingredients and whisk again util mixture forms pea-sized balls. Scrape dough from whisk. Add water and, using a wooden spoon, mix to thoroughly combine. Scrape dough from spoon and, using your hands, knead dough briefly, just until it comes together in a smooth ball, about 2 minutes. Cover bowl with a towel and let rest for 15 minutes before proceeding with any recipe.

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
144 Calories
5g Fat
24g Carbs
3g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 15
Amount per serving
Calories 144
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 152mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 74mg 6%
Iron 3mg 14%
Potassium 74mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)