Arepas are delicious cornmeal cakes that are soft and moist on the inside, and crispy on the outside. They're so versatile, they can be filled with just about anything for a delicious snack or meal!
This recipe was originally published on March 29, 2019. It was updated with new information on October 16, 2023.
What are Arepas?
Arepas are patties or flat bread made from precooked cornmeal, and they are SO good. They are a staple in South America, especially in Colombia and Venezuela.
What makes arepas unique is that they're made using a type of cornmeal called masarepa or harina PAN. The dough is shaped into patties before being grilled, pan-fried, or baked.
It can be eaten any time of day, and can be filled with a variety of ingredients, from cheese to beans, to shredded meat! Not only are they delicious, but they are insanely easy to make, requiring only a few ingredients.
Ingredients
You only need 4 ingredients to make this recipe:
- Arepa Flour - They can be called masarepa or harina PAN. I use white pre-cooked cornmeal, but you can also make arepas with yellow masarepa. Just make sure you're using precooked cornmeal, and not regular cornmeal for grits or masa harina.
- Salt - Although the arepas will be sliced and filled, or stuffed with cheese before cooking, it needs a little salt to flavor the dough itself.
- Water - The water will hydrate the dough, making the arepas moist and delicious!
- Oil - A little oil in the pan will help to add a crispy exterior.
How to Make Arepas
Step 1: Make the dough. In a large bowl, combine the masarepa and salt. Slowly add the water and stir. Let the dough sit for a couple of minutes to let it thicken.
Step 2: Form the arepas. Divide the dough into 10 portions, and roll each portion into a ball. Flatten each ball into a disk using your hands. If you're making cheese arepas, add some shredded cheese into the center and enclose it with the dough so the cheese isn't coming out.
Step 3: Cook the arepas. Heat the oil in a pan, cast iron skillet, or a griddle over medium heat. Cook the arepas until they turn golden on both sides, about 5 to 10 minutes per side. Transfer them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Serve. Slice each arepa horizontally and fill them with your filling.
Serving Suggestions
My all-time favorite filling for arepas is reina pepiada, a Venezuelan avocado chicken salad! I also often serve them for breakfast with scrambled eggs and avocado, but they're also delicious filled with black beans and cheese, or juicy and crispy carnitas.
FAQs
Both arepas and pupusas are patties made from cornmeal that are made to hold delicious fillings. The difference between the two is that pupusas are made with masa harina, whereas arepas are made with masarepa. Pupusas are also generally larger and flatter.
While Colombian arepas are larger flatter, Venezuelan arepas (aka arepas venezolanas or arepas rellenas) are smaller and thicker. In Colombia, arepas are often topped with toppings or stuffed with cheese (aka arepas con queso), while in Venezuela, arepas are stuffed with fillings.
Arepas originated from the region in South America that is now Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela.
Yes! None of the ingredients in arepas contain gluten. That said, what you choose to fill them with can make them unsafe for anyone who requires a gluten-free diet.
Arepas taste best fresh. Immediately after cooking is when they are most delicious, but you can put any leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Avoid reheating them in the microwave, as they can get quite wet sitting on a plate, and instead reheat them in the toaster or the oven.
Yes, you can store cooked arepas for up to a month in the freezer. Put them in a freezer bag or an airtight container, and reheat them in the toaster or oven.
More Savory Recipes
- If you're in the mood for a cozy bowl of soup, try either my roasted tomato soup or creamy pumpkin soup!
- Want an impressive rice dish? My arroz valenciana recipe is so savory and flavorful, you'll love it!
- This spinach and artichoke dip is so creamy, it's the perfect appetizer for any party.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you loved this arepas recipe as much as I do! For more mouth-watering recipe inspiration, make sure to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get all of my newest content delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my email newsletter!
Arepas Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups P.A.N. arepa flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2½ cups water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the arepa flour and salt. Add the water and stir until combined. Knead until a smooth dough forms and let it rest for a couple of minutes to let the arepa flour soak the liquid.
- Separate the dough into ten portions and roll them into balls. Flatten each ball into 3.5in/10cm disks. Cook on a griddle or frying pan over medium heat until golden on both sides, about 5-10min per side.
- Take the arepas off the heat and enjoy as is, or slice open and fill with whatever your heart desires!
Petra says
Wow! The arepas looks like an amazing treat! And what a great way to start the day. Reading the recipe it is a little bit of magic that only 3 ingredients can make something so delicious 🙂
Ai says
It really is magic that something so simple could be so good! I would love to have this with some fried eggs and sautéed greens for breakfast!
Rita says
I know a person who has gluten allergy - will pass this on to her.
Ai says
Thank you Rita!
Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook says
Wow!! I haven't heard of arepas before, but these look really amazing!! Your Dad should have brought you more than one bag. Haha! Hi, Dad!! 😀 Thanks for sharing & happy Fiesta Friday, Ai. Thanks for co-hosting, too. x
Ai says
Haha I'll have to get my brother to bring back a box this summer!!
frugal hausfrau says
I love arepas and what a nice tutorial! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday this week!
Mollie
Ai says
Aren't they delicious? I wish I tried them earlier! Thanks for co-hosting with me Mollie!
Angie | Fiesta Friday says
Yes to arepas! You should try making mozzarepas (mozzarella cheese sandwiched in two pieces of arepas), a NYC street food. So good!
Ai says
Omg mozzarepas sound amazing! Drooool!
Stephanie Sisler says
I’m celiac and definitely need to try these!!
Ai says
Hope you like them!
Colleen says
Where can I buy Pan? I live in the US but in a rural area. The only big store we have here is a Wal-Mart.
Ai says
Hi Colleen! I just looked online and looks like Walmart carries it: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pan-White-Corn-Meal-Harina-De-Maiz-Blanco-Precocida-1-Kg/36298104
Gill Hines says
amazon grocery has Pan flour
Nancy says
How easy to make. I filled mine with Monterey Jack cheese and they were great. Found damp hands helpful in forming the dough around the cheese.
Ai says
Thank you Nancy! Monterey Jack sounds delicious! Damp hands to prevent the dough sticking to hands is a good tip 🙂
Joy says
Walmart carries this flour. 🙂
Rika says
Hi...I stay in South Africa and I use any kind of maize meal for this & love it every time especially with marmalade.
Ai says
Ooohh marmalade on warm fresh arepas sounds delightful!!
Anna says
Can I cut this recipe in half if i just want a few
Ai says
Absolutely!
Kurt says
Those look amazing! I'm starting to experiment with flatbreads, so I'll add this to my list of things to try.
Ai says
Hope you enjoy!!
Jessica says
These look delicious and so easy! Do you know if they can be cooked and then frozen? Or, are they ok to sit on the counter for a few days? I'm the only gluten free one at home. Thanks!
Ai says
Hi Jessica! You can wrap each cooked arepa and put them in a freezer bag to store them in the freezer! You can reheat them in the oven for about 10 minutes. Or, you can store cooked arepas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Make sure to reheat them on a skillet or in the oven before serving them.
Chrisi says
Can yellow corn meal be substituted for the white corn flour?
Ai says
No, arepa flour is precooked cornmeal so it's different from the regular cornmeal that you'd use for cornbread. Although some brands like PAN sell precooked yellow cornmeal that you could use for arepas.