7 Best Tortilla Warmers for Delicious Tacos at Home
#3 is perfect for parties!
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We updated this article in August 2022 to ensure all products recommended were available and to add more information about each product. Our original top-rated picks remain the same, with the addition of a straw basket tortilla warmer from Threads West.
It’s important to make tacos or burritos with warm, soft tortillas. If you've ever tried using cold, dry tortillas, then you know that they simply won't mold correctly or hold the ingredients inside. That's where a tortilla warmer comes in: They help prevent tortillas from getting cold whether you’re prepping your favorite fish taco recipe for dinner or hosting a taco party with your friends.
To come up with our list of best tortilla warmers, the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab used their knowledge from years of testing cookware and various kitchen tools to recommend top picks based on material, size and brands that have tested well in the past. We also spoke to Bricia Lopez, co-owner of Guelaguetza Restaurant in Los Angeles, who uses tortilla warmers both at home and at the restaurant and considers a tortilla warmer to be a kitchen essential.
“Tortillas have to stay pliable,” says Lopez. “If you don’t use a tortilla warmer, the tortillas get hard easily and lose their beautiful texture.”
The best tortilla warmers will keep your tortillas warm and moist until it's time to eat them. Tortilla warmers are also versatile enough to keep pancakes, waffles, pita bread, naan and biscuits warm. They can be soft pouches made of cloth or sturdy containers made of plastic or ceramic. Depending on the material, they can be put in the microwave to gently heat tortillas right in the warmer. Plus, since many of them have pretty designs, you can proudly display them on your table or countertop.
Our top picks:
Read more below for the pros and cons of each tortilla warmer, along with details on how we chose and tips on what to look for when shopping for a tortilla warmer.
Pros
- Microwave safe
- Machine washable
- Easy to store
Cons
- Does not fully close
This tortilla warmer comes with instructions printed on the back of the pouch for quick and easy use, and the pop of color makes an attractive addition to any dinner table. It can fit 12 tortillas, whether you're using standard 8-inch or 10-inch burrito-sized tortillas. Once heated briefly in the microwave, it will keep your tortillas warm for over an hour, according to the brand.
Nicole Papantoniou, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, notes that it's more insulated than a kitchen towel, which makes it a better alternative. When you're done serving, it's easy to throw in the washing machine — just be sure to allow it to air dry completely before storing.
• Material: Cloth
• Size: 12 inches
• Capacity: Twelve 10-inch tortillas
• Cleanability: Machine washable
Dexas 8.5" Microwavable Tortilla Warmer
Pros
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Thick walled for great insulation
- Cool-touch lid handle
Cons
- Does not fit burrito-size tortillas
This microwaveable tortilla warmer might be a bit too small for burrito-size tortillas, but it's super affordable and spacious enough for 10 standard, 8-inch tortillas. It also has more than 4,000 reviews on Amazon with a 4.6-star average. It's also super light and can be stacked with other Dexas tortilla warmers for easy storage. (If you need to warm bigger tortillas, you can opt for the extra-large version, which can hold 9-inch tortillas.)
• Material: Plastic
• Size: 8.5 inches
• Capacity: Ten 8-inch tortillas
• Cleanability: Dishwasher safe
Pros
- Large capacity to hold a lot of tortillas
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
Cons
- Requires more storage space
The largest option on our list, this Norpro tortilla warmer is nearly five inches deep. It has enough room to fit over three dozen (!) standard, 8-inch tortillas, so it's a great option for large family gatherings or parties. It's a simple, no-frills choice for anyone needing a lot of hot, soft tortillas. It can also be used to store pancakes or pita bread. Plus, it's microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and the lid means you can cover it completely to contain the heat.
• Material: Plastic
• Size: 9.75 inches
• Capacity: More than thirty-six 8-inch tortillas
• Cleanability: Dishwasher safe on top rack
Carlisle 12" Lift Off Jumbo Server
Pros
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Thick-walled insulation
Cons
- Very hot to touch after heating
This tortilla warmer has a similar look to those you might find at your favorite Mexican food restaurant. It can hold taco- and -burrito-size tortillas. It has thick, insulating walls for use in the microwave, and the lid has a tight seal that keeps in all the heat. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe for easy use and clean-up. Just be sure to take caution when you remove it from the microwave as the exterior can get very hot.
• Material: Plastic
• Size: 12 inches
• Capacity: Twelve 10-inch tortillas
• Cleanability: Dishwasher safe
Threads West Handwoven Tortilla Basket Set
Pros
- Breathable, which keeps tortillas from becoming soggy
- Comes with two warmers (8- and 7-inch)
Cons
- Not microwave-safe
These tortilla baskets are made from palm straw, creating a beautiful design and great breathability to reduce steam build-up, which helps prevent soggy tortillas. The set comes with one 8-inch basket and one 7-inch basket, which is great when serving regular-size tortillas or street-style small tortillas (or a variety of rolls or pancakes!). While you can’t use these baskets in the microwave for tortillas, they’re a great option for keeping tortillas warm after they’re heated. Lopez notes it’s important to use a cloth with this type of tortilla warmer to help retain heat. Wrap the warm tortillas in a kitchen towel before placing them in the basket.
• Material: Straw
• Size: 7 inches and 8 inches (set)
• Capacity: Twelve 6-inch tortillas (in 7-inch basket) or twelve 8-inch tortillas (in 8-inch basket)
• Cleanability: Best to use with a kitchen towel to avoid washing the woven material. Spot clean as needed.
Nordic Ware 10.5" Microwavable Tortilla & Pancake Warmer
Pros
- Microwave- and dishwasher-safe
- Fits up to 24 burrito-sized tortillas
Cons
- Small hole on top allows heat to escape faster
This popular tortilla warmer on Amazon can hold up to two dozen burrito-sized tortillas! Don't let its size fool you: The plastic warmer is actually pretty lightweight, so it's easy to pass around the dinner table. Papantoniou notes that the classic, slim design and easy-to-remove cover are great features. It has a small hole on the top that allows steam to escape to prevent tortillas from getting soggy. But that small hole allows heat to escape faster, so it doesn't keep your tortillas warm for as long. This tortilla warmer is also useful for other foods such as pancakes, waffles and crepes, so it could become a kitchen staple for other meals throughout the day.
• Material: Plastic
• Size: 10.5 inches
• Capacity: Twenty-four 10-inch tortillas
• Cleanability: Dishwasher safe
KooK 8.5" Ceramic Tortilla Warmer
Pros
- Bright, attractive design
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Does not fit burrito-size tortillas
The colorful design and durable material make this ceramic tortilla warmer an easy choice if you want something that doubles as a kitchen-table centerpiece. It's microwave- and dishwasher-safe, so it's convenient to warm tortillas for dinner and easy to wash afterward. Keep in mind that it's 8.5 inches in diameter, so it won't hold 10-inch, burrito-size tortillas, but it can fit up to twelve 8-inch tortillas.
• Material: Ceramic
• Size: 8.5 inches
• Capacity: Twelve 8-inch tortillas
• Cleanability: Dishwasher safe
How we chose the best tortilla warmers
To choose the best tortilla warmers, we looked at material, size, capacity and cleanability. Each tortilla warmer was assessed based on the size of tortilla it can hold, along with its capacity to hold plenty of tortillas for any occasion. We also looked at whether each tortilla warmer required hand-washing or was dishwasher safe (or could be washed in the washing machine, depending on the material). We also consulted an outside expert to help us determine what makes a good tortilla warmer.
What to look for when shopping for the best tortilla warmer
✔️ Size: According to Papantoniou, size is the most important thing to consider when shopping for a tortilla warmer. “Consider a size that best suits your favorite tortillas, whether for standard tacos or for burritos,” she says. “Then consider if you’ll most frequently use it for family dinners or for large parties: That will impact the size and depth of the tortilla warmer you should buy.” Deeper tortilla warmers will hold a greater number of tortillas.
✔️ Material: Tortilla warmers are made from a variety of materials including ceramic, plastic, cloth and woven straw. According to Lopez, the material a tortilla warmer is made from will affect the texture of the tortillas. Papantoniou says she prefers ceramic tortilla warmers because of their pretty design, along with the ease of cleanup. Lopez suggests using a woven basket tortilla warmer because it's more breathable. For those who prefer tortillas with a crisper texture, rather than one that's very soft and steamy, a woven basket is a better choice. Lopez advises wrapping the warmed tortillas in a kitchen towel when using a basket; this helps keep condensation from steam at bay. Other materials such as plastic and ceramic can cause the tortillas to get too soft.
✔️ Cleanability: A ceramic or plastic tortilla warmer is easier to clean because you can quickly throw it in the dishwasher. Cloth tortilla warmers often need to be washed in the washing machine or carefully by hand. A woven tortilla warmer typically just needs to be spot-cleaned, especially if it’s used with a kitchen towel.
Is a tortilla warmer worth it?
According to Lopez, a tortilla warmer is 100 percent worth it. A tortilla warmer will keep tortillas warm and pliable for making tacos and burritos, along with serving them on the side with other dishes. “You don’t want to keep reheating tortillas over and over,” says Lopez. Most tortilla warmers won’t take up too much space in the kitchen, but they will make all the difference in keeping tortillas warm if you eat them on a regular basis. And when it's not in use for tortillas, a warmer can be used with other foods, such as pancakes, waffles, biscuits, naan and pita bread.
How to warm tortillas in a tortilla warmer
For tortilla warmers that are safe for use in the microwave, the tortillas can be heated right in the warmer. For others, you will need to heat the tortillas in the microwave separately before placing in the warmer or use your stovetop or oven to heat the tortillas. Lopez prefers heating tortillas in a cast iron pan or on a griddle before transferring them to a warmer. If you’re using them for tacos, she says to brush the tortillas with a tiny bit of oil. Then, heat them in a cast iron pan with a bit more oil until they’re semi-crispy but still soft. Always refer to the user manual to determine the best option for your specific warmer.
What can I use instead of a tortilla warmer?
If you don’t need your tortillas to stay warm for very long, there are a few other options. You can warm your tortillas and wrap them in a kitchen towel to retain heat. You can also place your towel-wrapped tortillas in a Dutch oven to preserve the heat even more. Papantoniou says she likes to wrap tortillas in aluminum foil if she doesn’t need them to be kept warm for a long time.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Molly Allen is a freelance writer for the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. A recipe developer, food writer and former bakery owner, she has years of experience in both home and commercial kitchens.
Nicole Papantoniou has run the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab since 2019. She oversees all testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances and gear. Previously, she worked in product development for small kitchen appliances and tools as well as in several test kitchens.
Bricia Lopez is a cookbook author and the co-owner of Guelaguetza, a Los Angeles–based Oaxacan restaurant. Guelaguetza received a James Beard Classics award in 2015 and serves tortillas in palm leaf tortilla warmer baskets in the restaurant. Lopez also uses tortilla warmers often at home and shares recipes on her website Mole and More.
Molly Allen is a freelance writer at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she covers food products. A former bakery owner, she has written about food and beverage topics for more than 5 years with work appearing in a variety of publications including Insider and Taste of Home. She is a graduate of Central Washington University with a degree in English Language and Literature. When she’s not writing, she can be found hiking or paddleboarding near Hood River, Oregon where she calls home.
