Description
Learn how to make delicious and authentic arepas with just three simple ingredients. This recipe is naturally gluten-free and vegan, perfect for any occasion. Enjoy crispy on the outside, tender on the inside corn cakes that are a staple in Latin cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups Areparina (Masarepa)
- 1 cup Warm Water
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- Avocado, Coconut, or Vegan Butter (optional, for cooking)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and salt. Stir gently until the salt is fully dissolved.
- Gradually incorporate the areparina into the water mixture, using your hands to mix until a moist, moldable dough forms. Let the dough sit covered for about 5 minutes.
- Divide the dough into equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and flatten into discs about 1/2 inch thick to create your arepas.
- Preheat a pan over medium-high heat. Add a little oil if using butter. Carefully place the arepas in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Transfer the pan-fried arepas to the preheated oven. Bake for an additional 15-18 minutes until puffed and lightly browned.
- Allow the arepas to cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting them in half or stuffing with your desired fillings.
Notes
- Ensure you use authentic areparina; regular cornmeal will not yield the same results.
- Adjust salt to your preference.
- Warm water is crucial for a pliable dough.
- Do not overwork the dough to avoid dense arepas.
- Let arepas cool slightly before cutting to perfect their texture.
- Store leftover arepas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat in the oven until warmed through for the best texture.
- Arepas freeze well; store cooked and cooled arepas in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen in the oven.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Gluten-Free
- Method: Pan-fried and Baked
- Cuisine: Latin
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 arepa
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: N/A