--- title: "Panamanian Tortillas (Thick Corn Cakes) - IVU - International Vegetarian Union" description: "Learn how to make authentic Panamanian Tortillas. These thick, flavorful, pan-baked corn cakes are made with simple masa and are naturally vegan." url: "https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/panamanian-tortillas-thick-corn-cakes.html" date: "2026-11-05T23:57:53+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/29/panamanian-tortillas--thick-corn-cakes--1792870120-297b19e7.jpg) [ << VFA Home ](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy.html) [ ](https://ivu.org/Breakfast%20and%20brunch,%20Panama,%20Starters%20&%20side%20dishes)[Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html), [Panama](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/panama.html), [Starters & side dishes](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/snack-side-dishes.html) # Panamanian Tortillas (Thick Corn Cakes) by Carmen Batista These traditional Panamanian tortillas are thick, flavorful corn cakes that stand apart from their thinner Mexican counterparts. Made with a simple masa dough, they are pan-baked until golden and puffed, offering a deeply satisfying texture. Perfect for breakfast or as a hearty side dish. ![](https://ivu.org/images/yootheme/icon-clock-large.svg) Total Time 20 mins ![](https://ivu.org/images/yootheme/icon-difficulty-medium.svg) Difficulty Medium ### Translate this page to your language! [![English](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)English](#) [![English](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)English](# "English")[![Afrikaans](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Afrikaans](# "Afrikaans")[![Arabic](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Arabic](# "Arabic")[![Chinese (Simplified)](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Chinese (Simplified)](# "Chinese (Simplified)")[![Chinese (Traditional)](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Chinese (Traditional)](# "Chinese (Traditional)")[![Danish](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Danish](# "Danish")[![Dutch](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Dutch](# "Dutch")[![French](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)French](# "French")[![German](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)German](# "German")[![Hindi](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Hindi](# "Hindi")[![Indonesian](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Indonesian](# "Indonesian")[![Italian](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Italian](# "Italian")[![Japanese](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Japanese](# "Japanese")[![Korean](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Korean](# "Korean")[![Malay](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Malay](# "Malay")[![Portuguese](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Portuguese](# "Portuguese")[![Russian](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Russian](# "Russian")[![Spanish](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Spanish](# "Spanish")[![Turkish](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Turkish](# "Turkish")[![Vietnamese](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Vietnamese](# "Vietnamese") ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/51/recipes-hero-51307741.png) Simple Tasty Recipes ## Ingredients for 5 Servings - 1 cup water - 1 cup instant corn tortilla mix (we use Promasa) - 1/4 tablespoon salt - 1 tablespoon rice flour - 1 pinch sugar (optional) - 1 tablespoon vegan margarine (optional) ## Time - Preparation Time 10 mins - Cooking Time 10 mins - Total Time 20 mins ## Goes Great with [ ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/f8/moroccan-eggplant-salad-1775335355-f834add2.jpg) ### Moroccan Eggplant Salad ](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/moroccan-eggplant-salad.html) [ ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/b8/th10%20316-b84d2d5c.jpg) ### VEGAN NORI AND POTATO ROLLS ](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-nori-and-potato-rolls.html) [ ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/00/potato-curry-filling-1780594279-00e5ac23.jpg) ### Potato Curry filling ](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/potato-curry-filling.html) [ ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/4a/curtido-de-repollo---el-salvadorean-cabbage-salad-1792701728-4ab3ad24.jpg) ### Curtido De Repollo - El Salvadorean Cabbage Salad ](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/curtido-de-repollo-el-salvadorean-cabbage-salad.html) [ ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/de/mon%20125-de0633b9.jpg) ### VEGAN RED CABBAGE SALAD ](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-red-cabbage-salad.html) ## Method 1. Mix the water, instant corn tortilla mix, salt, rice flour, and sugar (if using) with a spoon. 2. Knead with wet hands in a bowl until it forms a mixture called 'masa'. Keep your hands wet to prevent sticking; if it starts to stick, just get your hands wet again. 3. Take bunches of the masa and form them into circles. Make sure the edges are pinched with no creases or cracks, and that the thickness is consistent (about 1 or 2 cm thick). 4. To bake, put some of the vegan margarine in a pan and spread evenly. Heat the margarine on medium-high. 5. When the margarine is heated, place the masa circles in the pan and let bake. 6. Flip them every 2 or 3 minutes to evenly cook without burning. They will start to puff up and get golden. 7. It should take about 10 minutes to cook thoroughly, but make sure not to overdo them. Repeat the steps until all the circles are baked through. ### Notes: If you make the masa beforehand, it will keep in the fridge for 2 or 3 days. For the more adventurous cook, try deep-frying or grilling instead of baking. **Serving info:** Total recipe: 381g · Yields 5 portions · Portion size: 76g | Nutrient | Per 100g | Per Portion | % Daily Value | |---|---|---|---| | Energy (kcal) | 143 | 109 | 5% | | Carbohydrates (g) | 24.5 | 18.7 | 7% | | ↳ of which sugars (g) | 0.3 | 0.2 | - | | Dietary fiber (g) | 2.1 | 1.6 | 6% | | Protein (g) | 2.8 | 2.1 | 4% | | Total fat (g) | 3.9 | 3.0 | 4% | | ↳ Saturated (g) | 0.9 | 0.7 | 4% | | ↳ Monounsaturated (g) | 1.6 | 1.2 | - | | ↳ Polyunsaturated (g) | 1.2 | 0.9 | - | | ↳ Trans (g) | 0 | 0 | - | | Sodium (mg) | 491 | 374 | 16% | | Calcium (mg) | 42 | 32 | 2% | | Iron (mg) | 0.8 | 0.6 | 3% | | Potassium (mg) | 66 | 50 | 1% | | Vitamin C (mg) | 0 | 0 | 0% | | Vitamin B12 (µg) | 0 | 0 | 0% | ### Ingredient data sources - Instant corn tortilla mix (Masa harina) — 114g — Cornmeal, degermed, enriched, yellow — USDA - Rice flour — 8g — Rice flour, white, unenriched — USDA - Vegan margarine — 14g — Margarine-like, vegetable oil spread, 60% fat, tub, with salt — USDA - Salt — 4.5g — Salt, table — USDA - Sugar — 0.5g — Sugars, granulated — USDA ⚠️ = estimated or sourced outside the listed databases. % Daily Value based on FDA 2020 Daily Values for adults (2,000 kcal diet). 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