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5.0 from 3 votes

Arepas con Queso

Arepas con queso are savory, cheese filled corn cakes cooked until they are soft inside and crispy and golden brown on the outside. Perfect as a snack or served as part of a meal.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4 arepas
Calories: 512 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine: South American , Colombian

Ingredients

  • 2 cups masarepa pre-cooked white cornmeal
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
  • 2 ounces 1/2 cup finely crumbled Cotija cheese
  • 1 tablespoon butter softened
  • 1 1/4 cup warm water plus more if needed
  • 8 ounces 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Oil or butter for cooking

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium bowl combine the masarepa, salt, crumbled cheese, butter and warm water.
  2. Knead the mixture, until a smooth dough is formed. The dough should not be sticky but have the consistency of homemade play-dough. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
  3. Check the consistency of the dough by flattening a small amount of dough between the palm of your hands. If the edges crack, the dough is too dry. Add additional water, one tablespoon at a time until the dough is pliable.
  4. With lightly wet hands, divide the dough into 8 even pieces. Roll each piece into a ball then, pat each dough ball into a circle that is approximately 5-inches in diameter and about ¼” thick.
  5. Working with one circle at a time, add a couple of tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese in the center leaving about a 1/2-inch border. Place a second dough circle on top and seal the edges. Press the dough lightly between the palm of your hands smoothing the sealed edges to form a disk of about 1/2 inch thick. Repeat with the remaining dough and cheese.
  6. To cook the arepas on the stove top: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. If using butter, heat the skillet and then add the butter, spreading it around to coat the skillet.
  7. To cook the arepas in an electric griddle: Heat the griddle to 325ºF. Add the butter and spread it around to coat the griddle’s surface.
  8. Place the arepas on the skillet or griddle and cook, moving them around occasionally for about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown. Flip and cook for about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the skillet and serve warm, with additional butter on top (optional).

Notes

  • Masarepa is dehydrated cooked white or yellow cornmeal. It’s different from regular cornmeal. You can find Masarepa in the Latin section of most supermarkets. The most popular brand is P.A.N
  • Make sure to use masarepa instead of masa harina for the dough.
  • This recipe was made with white pre-cooked cornmeal (masarepa).
  • If your arepa dough feels too dry and crumbly, add a bit of water (a tablespoon at a time) until the dough has the consistency of play dough.
  • Wet your hands before shaping the corn cakes to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands.
  • Don’t be intimidated by the shaping of the dough! It’s like playing patty cake with play dough! Fun and easy.
  • Instead of a griddle or non-stick skillet, you can use a cast iron skillet to cook arepas.

Nutrition Information

Calories 512kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 60g (20%) Protein 24g (48%) Fat 20g (31%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 56mg (19%) Sodium 833mg (35%) Potassium 313mg (9%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 420IU (8%) Calcium 521mg (52%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4arepas

Amount Per Serving

Calories 512

% Daily Value*

Calories 512kcal 26%
Carbohydrates 60g 20%
Protein 24g 48%
Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 56mg 19%
Sodium 833mg 35%
Potassium 313mg 7%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 420IU 8%
Calcium 521mg 52%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.