Description
Learn how to make traditional Arepas from Venezuela and Colombia, a versatile cornmeal dish that can be filled with various ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups pre-cooked cornmeal (such as Masarepa)
- 2 ½ cups warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (plus extra for cooking)
- Optional fillings: cheese, avocado, shredded beef, chicken, or black beans
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the pre-cooked cornmeal and salt. Gradually add the warm water while stirring with a spoon or your hands until a dough forms. Let it rest for about 5 minutes to allow the cornmeal to absorb the water.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and shape each portion into a ball. Flatten each ball into a disc about ½ inch thick.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a little vegetable oil to coat the surface. Once hot, place the arepas in the skillet, cooking for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Once cooked, you can slice the arepas open and fill them with your choice of fillings, or serve them plain with toppings on the side.
Notes
- You can add herbs or spices to the dough for extra flavor, such as garlic powder or chopped cilantro.
- For a cheesy version, mix shredded cheese directly into the dough before shaping.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Venezuelan/Colombian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 arepa
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0g
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg