An arepa con queso is a savory, cheese stuffed corn cake cooked on a griddle. This South American (from Colombian or El Salvadorian) deal with is scrumptious with any meal!
Arepas con queso are crispy on the skin, tender and tacky on the within, sooo satisfying to eat and really easy to make! Your household goes to like making – and consuming – these arepas!
This tasty thick patty has lengthy been a favourite of mine, however have lately hit a brand new stage of stardom after being the therapeutic cake in Disney’s film Encanto and the Madrigal household, particularly Julieta Madrigal. They make a terrific snack, accompaniment to a meal, appetizer and are good any time of day.
What are Arepas?
Arepas (arepas de queso) are comfortable cornmeal truffles that originated lots of of years in the past within the areas that now make up Colombia, Venezuela, El Salvador and Panama. The translation to English is hard as a result of the phrase arepas doesn’t have a direct translation, however “con queso” means with cheese. These tasty pockets will also be stuffed with meats and typically greens.
They are eaten as a each day meals staple, with any meal. They are like a mixture of a thick corn tortilla with a grilled cheese sandwich. Colombian arepas con queso appear to be the most well-liked within the states.
Just like all meals that spans a number of areas, there are completely different variations of arepas. Venezuelan arepas are usually smaller and thicker and usually tend to be filled with meats and beans. Colombian arepas are sweeter, thinner, may be filled with cheese, and piled with toppings. Arepas may be cooked on a griddle, deep fried, and even boiled.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Arepas
You could make these arepas with solely a handful of elements and no time in any respect!
- Full of tacky goodness – Arguable the very best a part of these arepas colombianas is the melty cheese on the within!
- Switch up the filling – If you wish to add a little bit extra oomph to your arepas, take a look at our ideas for fillings.
- Great for choosy eaters – When you boil it down, these are principally simply cheese and bread- what’s to not love!
Ingredients
You do want some particular elements for this recipe. Please be aware – particular elements that may be new to you doesn’t essentially imply scary and loopy and onerous to search out. It simply means new.
- Precooked White Cornmeal (Masa)- This is completely different from simply common corn meal, it must be precooked cornmeal that’s dehydrated. It is commonly referred to as “masa”, “masarepa”, “harina precocida” or “masa al instante”. Seeing phrases on the packaging that embrace precooked or prompt are clues that you’ve the suitable factor.
- Soft Melting Cheese – You will use shredded cheese each within the dough of the arepa but additionally to stuff within the center. You can use mozzarella cheese or a “mexican mix” of melting cheeses which are offered pre-shredded within the grocery retailer. I’m not often a fan of pre-shredded cheese, but when it is advisable to seize it, I perceive. Oddly, mozzarella, an Italian cheese, is commonly the one utilized in South America as a result of it’s so melty.
- Cotija cheese – This is an aged, crumbly cheese that’s offered in a white wheel. It has a salty and milky taste that sort of resembles a cross between feta and parmesan cheese. Find this within the specialty cheese part of your native grocers. You may also substitute queso fresco.
- Butter – You will use melted butter within the recipe to make the dough, however you additionally want a little bit little bit of butter to grease the skillet with for cooking. Unsalted butter works finest right here as a result of the cheeses are salty.
- Warm water – Warm faucet water will aid you make the dough.
- Salt – use common desk salt or kosher sea salt.
Fillings for Arepas
Arepas are so versatile and work properly in a wide range of methods. They are nice as a snack, or a part of any meal. These arepas are wonderful on their very own, served beside a meal or filled with all types of superior fillings.
- Meat filling – Use your favourite meat like floor beef, sluggish cooker pork carnitas, shredded beef, spiced rooster, jackfruit, you title it!
- Vegetable filling – Add all of the fillings like guacamole, seasoned black beans, fried plantains, grilled candy potatoes, pickled purple onions, crumbled cheese, all of the issues.
- Air fryer – Instead of constructing them in a pan on the stover, attempt making them within the air fryer! Check the part beneath for directions.
How to Make Arepas
These arepas are really easy to make, which implies you’ll be able to simply make them any time!
- Make the dough. Whisk collectively the cornmeal, salt and each cheeses in a medium bowl. Stir within the water and butter till a comfortable dough kinds. If the dough cracks and feels dry whenever you work it, add a little bit extra water.
- Let sit. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and permit it to take a seat for ten minutes.
- Knead and divide. Knead the dough for a couple of minutes till it’s easy and comfortable. Then divide the dough into 16 equal balls. Pat every ball of dough right into a circle utilizing the palm of your hand.
- Fill with cheese. Place just a few tablespoons of shredded cheese in the midst of the patty. Fold and wrap the dough across the cheese, guaranteeing all of the cheese is properly sealed inside.
- Cook. In a scorching skillet (nonstick skillet most well-liked), place a small pad of butter on the skillet and unfold it round to coat the floor. Place the arepas on the skillet and prepare dinner for five minutes on the primary facet after which for five minutes on the second facet. Aim for medium warmth as a result of the butter will burn previous 350°F.
- Cool and revel in. Transfer the arepas to a wire rack to chill when you proceed cooking the remaining (or a to a medium-low warmth oven to maintain heat in case you are making quite a bit). This prevents steam from increase and making them soggy. Then take pleasure in!
The first time making arepas is at all times a little bit difficult. But like most issues, every time will get a little bit easier and in the end, you’ll be a professional.
How to Stuff an Arepa
To stuff an arepa with fillings, merely use a skinny serrated knife to slice ⅓ of the best way by means of the corn cake. Use the knife tip to then lower downwards within the heart to kind a pocket.
These tacky snacks generally is a little difficult, however you may as well make them with out cheese for making into sandwiches. Make certain you wipe down your knife in between every lower.
Air Fryer Arepas
Arepas may be made within the Air Fryer. Simply preheat it to 350°F. Grease the basket after which prepare dinner for five minutes. You might need to flip them and prepare dinner for an extra 2-3 minutes on the other facet for even browning.
Exact cooking instances might fluctuate relying in your Air Fryer and likewise the dimensions of the arepa. These work finest utilizing a smaller ball of dough and solely a tablespoon of cheese. These directions are additionally included within the notes part of the recipe card.
Storage and Freezing
How to Store Leftover Arepas
If you find yourself with leftovers, no worries! Leftover fried arepas may be saved in a sealed container within the fridge for as much as 3 or 4 days.
To reheat leftover arepas, you’ll be able to put them in a 350F oven or toaster oven for about 10 minutes. You may also reheat them within the microwave, however you lose a little bit of the crispy and tender texture this manner.
Can I Freeze Easy Arepas con Queso?
Yes, you certain can! I like to recommend placing items of parchment paper between layers of arepas in order that they don’t freeze all collectively.
More Easy Side Dishes
A scrumptious facet dish can elevate almost any meal! Here are just a few of our favorites that we all know you’ll love too.
Griddle Corn Cakes
Fresh and fluffy- these griddle corn truffles may be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner with 10+ east variations to make them southwestern, tacky, bacon-lover and extra!
See The Recipe!
Gouda and Corn Pasta Salad
If you are in search of a approach to combine up your common pasta salad recipe, this Gouda and Corn Pasta Salad is it! It’s EASY to make and filled with taste!
These EASY Arepas con Queso are savory, cheese stuffed corn truffles cooked on a griddle. This South American deal with is scrumptious with any meal!
Servings:
- 4 cups white or yellow masa
- 1 cup cotija cheese , crumbled
- 1 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
- 2 cups low moisture half skim mozzarella cheese , shredded, divided
- 3 ½ cups heat water
- ¼ cup unsalted butter , melted
- extra butter for the griddle
In a big bowl, whisk collectively the cornmeal, salt and cotija cheese.
Stir within the water and melted butter to kind a comfortable dough. It must be the consistency of selfmade playdough.
Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and permit it to take a seat for 10 minutes.
Knead the dough for a couple of minutes till it’s easy and comfortable. It ought to maintain its form, however be simply labored.
Divide the dough into 16 equal balls.
Pat every ball of dough right into a 5 inch circle that’s about ¼” thick.
Place one heaping tablespoons of the remaining mozzarella in the midst of the patty.
Sandwich one other piece of dough over it and seal the sides by pinching. Seal properly.
Pat the dough right into a patty that’s about 3-4 inches large and a ½” thick.
Repeat with remaining balls of dough so you may have 8 whole. Set apart.
Heat a 12” forged iron skillet over medium excessive warmth or an electrical griddle at 325°F.
When the skillet is scorching, place a small pad of butter on the skillet and unfold it round to coat the floor.
Place the arepas on the skillet and prepare dinner for 3-4 minutes on either side till crispy and golden.
Transfer to a wire rack to chill when you proceed cooking the remaining. Keep in a heat oven.
If you’ve got tried this recipe, come again and tell us the way it was within the feedback or star scores.
Arepas may be made within the Air Fryer. Simply preheat it to 350°F. Grease the basket after which prepare dinner for five minutes. You might need to flip them and prepare dinner for an extra 2-3 minutes on the other facet for even browning.
Exact cooking instances might fluctuate relying in your Air Fryer and likewise the dimensions of the arepa. These work finest utilizing a smaller ball of dough and solely a tablespoon of cheese. These directions are additionally included within the notes part of the recipe card.
Calories: 217 kcal, Carbohydrates: 23 g, Protein: 9 g, Fat: 10 g, Saturated Fat: 6 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g, Trans Fat: 0.1 g, Cholesterol: 30 mg, Sodium: 405 mg, Potassium: 106 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 0.4 g, Vitamin A: 317 IU, Calcium: 234 mg, Iron: 2 mg
