Ever wanted to know How To Make Arepas? These golden corn cakes, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, are not just a delight to the taste buds but a versatile canvas for various fillings. Enjoy this simple Arepas Recipe.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Simple: This arepas recipe has got to be my favorite! It's simple, easy and packed with a delicious, savory filling that's sure to make them a total crowd pleaser.
- Tasty: If you're eating arepas for the first time, this is the recipe you absolutely need to try your hands at.
- Venezuelan Style: Colombian arepas are different from Venezuelan arepas in the sense that they have more sweet fillings and ingredients. This is a great recipe for savory arepas.
📋 Ingredients
To make the arepa dough, here's what you'll need.
- Cornmeal: The main ingredient for arepas, providing a hearty and grainy texture that's unique to this dish.
- Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the cornmeal and balances the other ingredients.
- Warm Water: Helps to hydrate the cornmeal, creating a pliable dough for shaping the arepas.
- Vegetable Oil: Used in the dough for added moisture and in frying for a crispy, golden exterior.
- Tomato: Adds a fresh, juicy element that complements the hearty arepas.
- Vegan Cheese: Melts into a creamy, dairy-free addition that adds richness to the filling.
- Chili Peppers: Brings a kick of heat to the filling, providing a spicy contrast to the mild arepas.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Cornmeal & Flour Alternatives: Use traditional pre-cooked cornmeal (masarepa) for authentic texture, or experiment with different types of corn flour like masa harina. Adding a small portion of wheat flour can create a slightly different consistency if desired.
- Filling & Topping Options: While these arepas can taste great when served plain, you can also add lots of different fillings into them based on your taste preference.
- Fried plantains, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, ground beef, black beans and shredded beef are all great choices to be used as fillings.
- And if you love cheese, you can also make arepas con queso, which are essentially arepas stuffed with cheese, particularly queso blanco.
- Of course, you can always use any other shredded cheese or grated cheese of your choice. Mozzarella cheese and white cheese are two other good options.
🔪How To Make Arepas?
Once you have all your ingredients ready, here's what you'll need to do to make them.
Step One: Pour salt and cornmeal into a bowl. Add the oil and water. You may need a little less or more water. Knead the dough. The structure of corn dough is not malleable, resembling wet sand.
Step Two: Divide the dough into 4 portions. Form into rounds. Pan fry for 3 to 4 minutes until golden on both sides.
Step Three: Prepare the filling. Slice cheese, tomato in half rings, pepper in thin rings.
Step Four: Slice them with a knife so that you get pockets. Place the filling and serve.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Now that you know how to make arepas, are you ready to try out this recipe?
Here are some more tips and tricks to make these homemade arepas.
- While I've used white corn meal to make them, if you are able to get your hands on masa harina, I would highly recommend it.
- Arepa flour is actually precooked cornmeal. Remember that corn flour is not the same as pre cooked cornmeal.
- I would recommend letting the dough rest for a few minutes before you proceed to use it to make the arepas. Simply transfer the dough to a large bowl and cover it with plastic wrap to keep it nice and moist.
- They should be about an inch thick when they're rolled out.
- While they aren't traditionally deep fried, you can actually do that if you really want to. Just remember to stick to medium heat when you're frying them.
- You can also make them in a toaster oven if you want to. Just make sure you place each dough ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to keep it from sticking to the surface.
- I would highly recommend the skillet method to make arepas. All you need to do is use a good quality cast iron skillet, and cook them on medium high heat until they're golden brown on both sides.
- Remember to let the cooked arepas rest for a while before you slice it and add the fillings in.
💭 FAQs
Allow your arepas to cool to room temperature before storing. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness. For longer storage, freeze arepas in a freezer-safe bag or container. Ensure they are well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn. Label with the freezing date and store for up to 2-3 months
To prepare authentic arepas, it's essential to use pre-cooked cornmeal specifically labeled as "masarepa." This type of cornmeal is finer and has undergone a special cooking process, making it ideal for arepas. Brands like P.A.N. are popular choices. Avoid using regular cornmeal or masa harina, as they yield different textures and flavors
Achieving the proper dough consistency is crucial for making arepas. The dough should feel soft and pliable, similar to Play-Doh, without being overly sticky or dry. If the dough is too wet, add a bit more masarepa; if it's too dry, incorporate a little water. After mixing, let the dough rest for about 15 minutes to allow the flour to fully hydrate, which helps in forming smooth arepas.
Leftover arepas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. It's best to wrap them individually in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container to maintain freshness. To reheat, you can warm them in a skillet over medium heat, bake them briefly in the oven, or toast them. Reheated arepas may become denser, so it's recommended to consume them soon after preparation.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Arepas:
This easy and delicious snack food needs no extra effort on your part.
- Avocado Salad: Creamy chunks of ripe avocado tossed with tomatoes, red onions, and cilantro for a refreshing side.
- Quinoa Salad: Nutty quinoa tossed with colorful bell peppers, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette for a wholesome side.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Tender sweet potatoes roasted with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a sweet and savory touch.
- Chimichurri Sauce: A herby blend of parsley, garlic, and vinegar – drizzle this Argentine sauce over your arepas for an extra burst of flavor.
🍜 Related Recipes
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How To Make Arepas
Ingredients
- 1 cup Cornmeal
- Pinch Salt
- 1 cup Warm Water
- 2 teaspoon Vegetable Oil For the dough
- ½ Tomato
- 4 slices Vegan Cheese
- 4 slices Chili Peppers.
- 1 tablespoon Cooking Oil For frying the arepas
Instructions
- Pour salt and cornmeal into a bowl. Add the oil and water. You may need a little less or more water. Knead the dough. The structure of corn dough is not malleable, resembling wet sand.
- Divide the dough into 4 portions. Form into rounds. Pan fry for 3 to 4 minutes until golden on both sides.
- Prepare the filling. Slice cheese, tomato in half rings, pepper in thin rings.
- Slice them with a knife so that you get pockets. Place the filling and serve.Step 5: Add Filling and ServeDo not make them for future use; they are best not stored. Bon Appetit!
- Do not make them for future use; they are best not stored. Bon Appetit!
Notes
- While I've used white corn meal to make them, if you are able to get your hands on masa harina, I would highly recommend it.
- Arepa flour is actually precooked cornmeal. Remember that corn flour is not the same as pre cooked cornmeal.
- I would recommend letting the dough rest for a few minutes before you proceed to use it to make the arepas. Simply transfer the dough to a large bowl and cover it with plastic wrap to keep it nice and moist.
- They should be about an inch thick when they're rolled out.
- While they aren't traditionally deep fried, you can actually do that if you really want to. Just remember to stick to medium heat when you're frying them.
- You can also make them in a toaster oven if you want to. Just make sure you place each dough ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to keep it from sticking to the surface.
- I would highly recommend the skillet method to make arepas. All you need to do is use a good quality cast iron skillet, and cook them on medium high heat until they're golden brown on both sides.
- Remember to let the cooked arepas rest for a while before you slice it and add the fillings in.
Nutrition
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