Description
Cheesy Colombian arepas deliver a delightful blend of corn masa and melted cheese. Crispy exterior and warm interior invite passionate cooks to savor a classic Latin American comfort dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml) masarepa (pre-cooked white cornmeal)
- 1¼ cups (296 ml) warm water
- 8 oz (227 g / 2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 oz (57 g / ½ cup) finely crumbled Cotija cheese
- ½ tsp sea salt or Kosher salt
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter, softened
- Oil or butter for cooking
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Combine masarepa, salt, Cotija cheese, softened butter, and warm water in a bowl, kneading until a smooth, cohesive mixture forms with consistent texture.
- Dough Hydration: Rest the dough for 10 minutes, covered, then assess moisture by gently pressing; incorporate additional water if edges crack, ensuring a supple, workable consistency.
- Arepa Shaping: Divide dough into eight portions, rolling each into a sphere, then flatten into 5-inch wide, ¼-inch thick discs with even, gentle pressure.
- Cheese Filling: Position shredded mozzarella in the center of one dough circle, leaving a half-inch border, then carefully overlay a second dough circle, sealing edges to create a compact, half-inch thick sealed disk.
- Cooking Process: Heat a skillet or griddle with a thin oil or butter layer at medium-low temperature, then carefully transfer arepas and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, rotating to achieve an evenly golden-brown, crisp exterior.
- Serving: Transfer cooked arepas to a plate, optionally adding a small butter pat, and serve immediately while warm to showcase the melted cheese’s luxurious, gooey center.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Check dough consistency by gentle palm pressing; add water sparingly if edges crack to achieve smooth, flexible texture.
- Cheese Distribution: Create even cheese pockets by maintaining half-inch border around edges, preventing leakage during cooking.
- Temperature Control: Use medium-low heat to develop golden-brown exterior without burning, ensuring crispy surface and melted interior cheese.
- Resting Technique: Allow dough to rest covered for 10 minutes, enabling ingredients to blend and develop optimal cohesive structure.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Venezuelan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 303
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 429 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 42 mg