The “tortilla thing” refers to a viral TikTok trend that involves throwing a tortilla at someone’s face. Usually, the tortilla is thrown by surprise at an unsuspecting friend or family member. The trend started in early 2022 and quickly took off on TikTok, with people filming their tortilla pranks and challenges.
Some common questions about the tortilla TikTok trend include:
Where did the tortilla TikTok trend come from?
The exact origins of the tortilla TikTok trend are unclear, but it appears to have started sometime in early 2022. Some of the earliest tortilla throwing videos were posted by TikTok users in Spanish-speaking countries like Spain, Mexico, and Argentina. The videos show friends and family members unexpectedly getting a tortilla flung at their face as a prank.
The trend seems to have really taken off in March 2022 when TikTok user @cuervomaya posted a video of herself hitting her boyfriend in the face with a tortilla while he was engrossed in his phone. The video went massively viral, amassing over 17 million views.
After @cuervomaya’s viral tortilla video, many other TikTok users started filming their own versions of throwing or sticking a tortilla on an unsuspecting person’s face. The hashtag #tortillachallenge gained popularity as more and more tortilla prank videos emerged.
Why do people throw tortillas on TikTok?
There are a few reasons why hitting someone with a tortilla became such a popular prank trend on TikTok:
- It’s unexpected and silly – Throwing a tortilla at someone when they least expect it gets a genuinely surprised and funny reaction that makes for engaging video content.
- Tortillas are ubiquitous – Tortillas are a common household item in many countries and cultures, making them easily accessible for TikTok pranks.
- It’s fairly harmless – While getting hit with a tortilla would be unpleasant, it’s generally not actually harmful or dangerous. This makes it “safe” for viral video pranks.
- Cultural significance – In some Latin cultures, tortilla tossing is part of wedding traditions and other celebrations, which may have contributed to its popularity.
Ultimately, the tortilla trend took off because throwing a tortilla at an unsuspecting person’s face makes for a funny, shareable video that appeals to TikTok users’ sense of mischievous humor.
What are some popular tortilla TikTok challenge ideas?
There are endless creative ways TikTok users have incorporated tortillas into funny challenge videos. Here are some of the most popular tortilla challenge ideas:
Tortilla Slap Challenge
One person holds a stack of tortillas and slaps the other person in the face with one tortilla per slap while they try not to flinch or laugh.
Tortilla Target Challenge
The target person stands still while the thrower tries to land tortilla bullseyes on different parts of their body like their forehead, mouth, chest, etc.
Tortilla Catch Challenge
The tortilla thrower attempts to toss tortillas higher and higher that the catcher has to successfully catch (often while blindfolded).
Tortilla Squeeze Challenge
Partners squeeze or “dab” tortillas on each other’s face, clothes, or body as many times as they can within a certain time limit.
Tortilla Puzzle Challenge
One partner wears tortillas all over their body and the other partner has to take the tortillas off like a puzzle within a time limit.
TikTok users are constantly coming up with new silly and outrageous tortilla challenge ideas to try and make viral videos.
What are some best practices for safe tortilla challenges?
While tortilla TikTok challenges are generally harmless fun, there are some best practices people should keep in mind:
- Use soft tortillas – Hard taco shells or stale tortillas are more likely to cause hurt or scratches if thrown.
- Don’t throw too hard – Give a playful toss, not a painful whip.
- Aim away from eyes and face – Avoid sensitive areas.
- Stop if someone isn’t into it – Respect if someone doesn’t want to participate.
- Don’t do it to strangers – Only toss tortillas at friends or family who consent.
- Watch for food allergies – Make sure no one is allergic to ingredients.
- Clean up afterwards – Don’t leave tortilla mess for others.
Following these tips will lead to safer, consensual tortilla fun for all involved.
What are the most popular tortilla throwing TikTok accounts?
Some of the TikTok accounts that have gone the most viral for their tortilla prank videos include:
| TikTok Account | Followers | Most Popular Tortilla Video Views |
|---|---|---|
| @cuervomaya | 9.2M | 17.5M |
| @camilasaval | 284K | 13.5M |
| @andresito_epic | 1.3M | 10.1M |
| @crisrg188 | 373K | 7.5M |
| @iamhectorgg | 484K | 6.8M |
These TikTok creators helped make tortilla pranks go viral with their extremely popular videos. Other notable accounts that have joined in on the tortilla fun include @kimberly.loiza, @alanchikTok, and @sofimorales17.
What are some of the most viral tortilla TikTok videos?
Here are some of the standout viral tortilla videos from TikTok:
@cuervomaya’s First Viral Tortilla Video
With over 17 million views, this is the OG viral tortilla video that blew up the trend. It shows @cuervomaya sneaking up behind her boyfriend and smacking a tortilla perfectly onto his unsuspecting face.
Tortilla War by @soygabygabi
At a family party, @soygabygabi and her cousin get into an epic tortilla throwing battle, bombarding each other with tortilla after tortilla. It has 13 million views.
Tortilla Dab by @camilasaval
Instead of throwing them, @camilasaval lightly “dabs” tortillas all over her friend’s face in this unique spin on the trend that garnered 13.5 million views.
Case of Tortillas by @crisrg188
Taking things up a notch, @crisrg188 surprises his target with an entire case of tortillas, rapidly Pelting him with tortilla after tortilla. It has over 7 million views.
These iconic videos demonstrate just how creative TikTokers have gotten with the tortilla challenge.
What are some of the funniest tortilla TikTok fails?
Even the best-planned tortilla pranks don’t always go as expected. Here are some hilarious tortilla fail moments from TikTok:
Tortilla Boomerang
One thrower winds up to pelt their friend but ends up hitting themselves right in the face when the tortilla boomerangs back.
Slippery Tortilla
A prankster tosses a tortilla at their target but it slips out of their hand early and sadly flops on the floor before reaching them.
Too Many Tortillas
Eager to one-up other pranksters, one TikToker overstuffs their sweatshirt with a comical mountain of tortillas that come spilling out everywhere.
Epic Tortilla Miss
Despite taking careful aim, a tortilla thrower completely whiffs their toss and the tortilla pathetically slides down the wall nowhere near their intended target.
Tortilla Makeup Mess
A girl with a full face of makeup instantly regrets agreeing to the challenge when her artfully applied cosmetics gets smeared and smudged beneath the tortilla’s crumbs.
Tortilla fails show that pulling off the perfect tortilla prank is harder than it looks!
What creative variations have people done on the tortilla challenge?
TikTokers have gotten very creative with unique tortilla challenge ideas, including:
- Using enormous tortillas
- Filling tortillas with shaving cream before throwing
- Launching tortillas from homemade contraptions
- Throwing tortillas like frisbees
- Trying tricky behind-the-back or bouncing shots
- Hitting moving targets like people on skateboards
- Covering someone head-to-toe in tortillas
- Wearing full tortilla suits then destroying them
People are constantly putting new spins on the simple tortilla toss to create fresh, engaging content. The only limit is TikTokers’ creativity!
What are some of the best reactions to the tortilla challenge?
The joy of the tortilla challenge is seeing people’s genuine, laugh-out-loud reactions. Here are some of the best:
Shock and Surprise
Many victims have priceless stunned expressions in the moment the tortilla slaps them in the face.
Bursting Into Laughter
Lots of good sports find the whole thing hilarious and erupt into contagious belly laughs.
Throwing It Back
Some seek instant revenge and pick up the tortilla off the floor to whip back at their prankster.
Chasing For Payback
Refusing to take things lying down, a few angry targets jump up to chase their assailant for payback.
Collapsing to the Ground
Overly dramatic friends collapse to their knees or even fully faint to the floor in pretended anguish.
People’s funny, genuine reactions are a huge part of what makes the tortilla challenge so entertaining to watch.
Is the tortilla challenge dangerous or unsafe?
The tortilla challenge is generally considered safe for the following reasons:
- Tortillas are soft and pliable, unlike hard taco shells that could cut
- Most people throw tortillas gently, not hard enough to seriously hurt anyone
- Tortillas are food items that are not toxic or harmful
- The “victims” are usually willing participants who consent to the game
- Tortillas are thrown at bodies and clothes rather than directly into eyes
- Most people filming are smart enough not to attempt extremely dangerous stunts
However, it’s still possible to take things too far. Throwing tortillas extremely powerfully could potentially injure someone. Hard tortilla chips could also cut the skin. And tortilla ingredients could trigger allergic reactions in some. But overall, the tortilla challenge remains on the safer side for viral video challenges.
Does wasting tortillas in the challenge raise concerns over food waste?
Some people have raised valid concerns over social media challenges like the tortilla trend contributing to food waste. Tortillas seen get thrown only once and discarded in these videos.
Potential ways to be more conscious about food waste with the tortilla challenge include:
- Using day-old tortillas that would otherwise be thrown out
- Composting discarded tortillas if possible
- Donating unused tortillas after filming to food banks
- Being selective in only using what tortillas you need
- Getting creative, like using tortilla chips instead of fresh tortillas
With some mindfulness, the tortilla challenge can avoid contributing to food insecurity and wastage issues.
Does the tortilla challenge waste food? What do people think about the food waste aspect?
Many people have accused the tortilla challenge of promoting food waste by throwing out perfectly edible tortillas just for quick viral videos. Some key concerns over the food waste include:
- Throwing away good food is upsetting when many struggle with hunger
- It demonstrates lack of awareness about social and sustainability issues
- The scale of the viral challenge magnifies the wasted food problem
- It conflicts with reducing food waste, which should be a priority
However, others counter that:
- A little fun and humor has value for society too
- Most pranksters likely use just a few tortillas, not cases
- Tortillas are quite affordable and accessible items
- The campaign has raised awareness of food waste issues
There are good-faith arguments on both sides of this issue. In general, pranksters should aim to be responsible by not overdoing food waste and considering donating unused items. Overall though, moderate tortilla fun need not conflict greatly with food waste reduction efforts.
Conclusion
The “tortilla thing on TikTok” refers to the viral trend of playfully throwing tortillas at unsuspecting friends and family for funny reaction videos. It started in early 2022, originating in Spanish-speaking regions where tortilla tossing had cultural significance. The simple, inexpensive prank took off rapidly on TikTok thanks to the videos’ humor and surprise factor.
TikTokers have gotten creative with endless tortilla challenge ideas that put new spins on the basic format. Standout viral tortilla videos have amassed tens of millions of views. While fails are inevitable, the challenge is relatively safe when basic precautions are followed. Some criticize the fad for contributing to food waste, but it remains hugely popular for delivering laughs across cultures.
Love it or find it wasteful, the tortilla challenge has undeniably cemented itself as one of TikTok’s iconic viral trends. Fueled by people’s appetite for lighthearted fun, the tortilla tossing phenomenon still has legs to keep spreading smiles, one slapped face at a time.