Vegan Tortilla, Wraps & Pitas

What are Vegan Tortilla, Wraps & Pitas?

The vast majority of tortillas, wraps, and pitas are vegan, which is great news for followers of a plant-based lifestyle! 

Tortillas are made from unleavened dough. That is, they’re made without yeast or another raising agent. There are two main types of traditional tortillas – corn tortillas and wheat tortillas. Corn tortillas are made from hominy, which is dried maize that’s been treated with alkali, salt, and water, and so are inherently vegan-friendly. Whilst less common nowadays, wheat tortillas were traditionally made with lard or tallow, which are rendered animal fats. 

Wraps are not to be confused with tortillas, as they’re actually soft bread dough that has been rolled flat. Bread dough is usually made from flour, yeast, water, and salt. Wraps are also generally vegan, although some brands may have added lard or preservatives that are animal-derived. 

Pita is another form of leavened flatbread, which is made from yeast and flour. The dough is formed into rounds and baked at high temperatures. The resulting steam causes a pocket to form in the pita. 

Vegan tortilla wraps and vegan pita are reasonably commonplace, but always check the label to be sure there are no hidden animal-based ingredients or preservatives. 

Health Benefits of Gluten-Free Tortillas

Traditionally, the main type of vegan gluten-free tortillas were corn tortillas. These “accidentally vegan” plant-based tortillas are made from ground corn and water and are typically the smaller tortillas, used for tacos. 

However, as vegans in the 21st century, we’re now spoilt for choice in the way of vegan and gluten-free tortillas! Gluten-free tortillas can be made from a vast array of different flours, from almond flour to coconut flour, like Sana’s Large Tortilla Wraps.

In general terms, wheat tortillas share a lot of the same nutritional qualities as wheat bread. They can be high in calories and carbs, but low in protein and fiber. To some extent, gluten-free tortillas counter some of these poor nutritional values. Corn tortillas, in particular, are lower in calories, fat, and sodium than wheat flour tortillas because wheat tortillas often have fat added to them to bind the ingredients. 

For other gluten-free tortillas, the nutritional benefits depend on the ingredients used. Compared to other gluten-free tortillas, almond flour tortillas tend to be higher in calories and fat content, but also in protein, calcium, and potassium.

Best Tortillas & Pitas for a Gluten-Free Diet

When you need to avoid gluten in your diet, it can be really disheartening watching your friends and family tuck into a hearty burrito, knowing you can’t partake. But what if we told you that there are tons of awesome gluten-free AND vegan options for tortillas, sandwich wraps, and pita bread?

Here, we share a few gluten-free tortillas, wraps, and pitas worth trying…

Tia Lupita - Cactus Tortillas

“Cactus tortillas?!”, we hear you cry! Yes, bear with us. These gluten-free tortillas are made from a combination of corn, cactus, and tapioca flours, making them soft, fresh, and tasty. Each Tia Lupita’s Cactus Tortillas contains just 30 calories, meaning you can pile on lots more healthy toppings. It’s anything but prickly! 

Wrawp - Organic Veggie Wraps

For lovely soft sandwich wraps that taste like a fresh harvest, try these Organic Veggie Wraps by Wrawp. They’re made from real dehydrated fruits and veggies and are an ideal way to add more fiber and greens to your diet. Even better, these wholesome wraps come in a variety of unique flavors. 

BFree - Gluten-Free Wholegrain Pita

Hand-stretched, wood-fired pitas should be in everyone’s pantry! These Gluten-Free Wholegrain Pitas by BFree do not disappoint as they’re packed with flavor and completely free of gluten. They’re made with nutritious whole grain flours like sorghum, buckwheat, and millet, and packed full of fiber. 

Our Favorite Wrap & Pita Recipes

With so many different types of vegan tortilla wraps, vegan pita, and vegan wraps, we thought you might need some inspirational suggestions on what you can do with them all! So, here are a few of our favorites. 

Vegan Shawarma Tofu Pita Wraps

Our vegan Shawarma Tofu Pita Wraps recipe has been created for us by Chef John Paul Haddad, whose family has been in the shawarma business for over 25 years. It’s full of vegetables and delicately spiced tofu for maximum flavor impact. The filling is then densely packed into a plant-based pita, like Atoria’s Wholegrain Pita.

Crunchy Salad Wraps

If it’s a quick, easy and minimal fuss lunch you’re looking for, try our Crunchy Salad Wraps. These wholesome wraps can be made in less than 10 minutes and will comfortably feed a family of four. If you need a gluten-free version, just switch the wholegrain wraps for BFree’s Gluten-Free High Protein Wraps. 

Top Tortilla, Wraps & Pita Brands to Try

Everyone has their favorite brands and they’ll all swear theirs is the best tasting, best texture, or best value. So we thought we’d weigh in with our favorite vegan tortilla wraps and plant-based pita bread!

B-Free

B-Free’s range of vegan and gluten-free bread is top-of-the-pack. Not only tasty, but they’re also moist compared to many, rather dry, gluten-free bread brands. We especially like B-Free’s Gluten-Free Wraps, which are a generous size and roll without rips! 

La Tortilla Factory

For a really authentic vegan wrap, try La Tortilla Factory’s Low Carb Whole Wheat Tortillas. With all the flavors of a wheat tortilla and only a fraction of the carb content, these plant-based tortillas are great for burritos and chimichangas!

Caulipower

If you’re looking for a gluten-free, low-carb tortilla, look no further than Caulipower’s Cauliflower Tortillas. These light and delicious tortilla wraps are ready in under a minute and are a fantastic source of fiber. The cauliflower base is the perfect accompaniment for almost any sauce or topping. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Best Way to Store Vegan Tortillas?

Extend the life of your vegan tortillas by wrapping them in a plastic bag or airtight container and storing them in the fridge, after opening the packet. In this manner, your vegan tortillas will stay fresh for up to two weeks. The tightly wrapped bag or an airtight container will keep moisture away from your tortilla and stop them from spoiling too quickly. 

Alternatively, you can freeze your tortilla wraps in the same way. Frozen tortillas will be usable for up to 6-8 months after freezing.

Do Vegan Tortilla Wraps have Preservatives?

As with any commercially produced food, vegan tortilla wraps may contain preservatives. This is because manufacturers want to ensure that their products have a decent shelf-life and reach you in the best possible condition. 

However, there are many brands that do not use preservatives, such as Food for Life’s Sprouted Corn Tortillas. These corn-based vegan tortillas are made from just four ingredients: organic sprouted corn, filtered water, sea salt, and lime – not a preservative in sight! The sprouted corn gives an extra nutritional boost to the ultimate wholesome vegan tortilla. Just always check the label!

Are All Your Vegan Tortilla, Wraps & Pitas Fridge-Friendly?

Whilst vegan tortilla wraps can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks, we’d avoid storing leavened wraps and pitas in the refrigerator. Leavened bread such as pitas will dry out in the fridge. Instead, these vegan wraps and pitas can be stored in a paper bag, in a cool, dry place at room temperature to prevent them from going stale too quickly. 

To store your vegan tortilla wraps in the fridge, wrap them up in a plastic bag or pop them into an airtight container, then place them in the fridge. It’s as simple as 1-2-3. 

What Does a Vegan Pita Taste Like?

The great news about pita bread is that it’s another “accidentally vegan” product (although we always recommend checking the label of any store-bought products for animal-based preservatives). Pita bread is usually made from wheat flour, yeast, water, salt, and sugar. 

Plant-based pita bread has a mild, neutral taste and a soft, spongy texture. As it’s cooked at high temperatures, which cause a little pocket to form in the dough, it’s perfect for stuffing with lots of wholesome fillings like hummus, salad, and tofu, limited only by your imagination!