Homemade Arepas

4.6
(69)

I first tasted arepas at a New York City hole-in-the-wall eatery and I fell in love with this stuffed white corn cake. Halfway through my first arepa — one stuffed with black beans, beef, plantains, and salty cheese — I vowed to learn how to make these at home. It's a truly magnificent delivery system for any number of your favorite fillings. I went with some spicy pork and avocado, but I made a version a few days later stuffed with caramelized plantains and salty goat feta.

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close up view of a Homemade Arepa sandwich on a wooden board, with tomatoes and arepas in the background
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
8 arepas
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 2 ½ cups lukewarm water

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 2 cups pre-cooked white cornmeal (such as P.A.N.®)

  • ¼ cup vegetable oil, or as needed

Directions

  1. Stir water and salt together in a medium bowl; gradually stir in cornmeal with your fingers until the mixture forms a soft, moist, malleable dough.

    Overhead of white dough in a glass bowl.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Form dough into eight 2-inch diameter balls; pat each ball to flatten into a 3/8-inch-thick arepa patty.

    Overhead of eight flattened, circular dough shapes placed on a baking sheet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat; fry arepas in batches until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer cooked arepas to a paper towel-lined plate to drain until cool enough to handle.

    Overhead of four arepas cooking on a skillet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Slice halfway through each arepa horizontally with a thin serrated knife to form a pita-like pocket.

    Overhead of five arepas being sliced in half by a knife on a cutting board.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Enjoy!

    close up view of a Homemade Arepa sandwich on a wooden board, with tomatoes and arepas in the background

    DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

Nutrition:

We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. The exact amount will vary depending on cooking time and temperature, ingredient density, and the specific type of oil used.

131 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

96 Calories
1g Fat
20g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 96
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Sodium 293mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Protein 2g 4%
Calcium 2mg 0%
Potassium 1mg 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.