Arepas are a traditional South American food most often found in Colombian and Venezuelan cuisines, and if you’re not making and eating them yet, you’re definitely missing out. They’re essentially a corn cake that is usually eaten as a sandwich type of dish with meats, cheeses, and other fillings.
There are so many reasons why arepas are worth making. First, they’re incredibly versatile, able to be filled with pretty much anything you can think of. Second, they taste amazing. And third, they’re actually quite easy to make, requiring very few ingredients. Read on to discover the easiest arepa recipe that you can make any time.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of warm water
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- 2 caps of areparina (special arepa flour)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Directions
- Combine the water, salt, and oil in a large bowl. Mix to combine. Slowly add the areparina. Mix.
2. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and leave to rest for 10 minutes. Divide the dough into even pieces and shape each into a circle about 4 inches wide and half an inch thick.
3. Now, you have several options for cooking the arepas: grilling, baking, or frying. The most traditional is grilling, so that’s what we’ll explain here.
4. Heat a cast-iron griddle over medium-high heat. Add some oil and the arepas, cooking them for three to five minutes per side.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue took the arepas until golden brown, about eight to ten minutes per side. They should puff slightly. Serve with whatever fillings you like!
