Andy Montoya
Arepas are traditional Colombian cornmeal hotcakes that are often stuffed with cheese. The cheese is placed in the centre of the arepa, which is then shaped into a ball and flattened into a disc. The arepa is cooked on a griddle or in a pan until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Different types of cheese can be used, such as mozzarella, string cheese, or shredded cheddar, depending on personal preference. Arepas can be served as a snack or light meal, often with toppings such as avocado, tomato, onions, corn, and salsa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Mozzarella, string cheese, shredded cheese, crumbled cheese, cheddar, Colombian queso fresco |
| Additional fillings | Avocado, tomato, onions, corn, beef, chicken, beans, more cheese, pico de gallo, Colombian aji |
| Cooking method | Griddle, flat pan, grilling pan, toaster oven, grill, cast iron skillet, oven |
| Cooking temperature | Medium heat, 325°F (160°C) |
| Cooking time | 5 minutes on each side until golden brown |
| Serving suggestion | Cut in half and add fillings |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella is a popular choice
To make mozzarella arepas, you will need precooked cornmeal, specifically for making arepas, as other types of flour will not work. You will also need butter, salt, milk, and water. The milk and water should be warm, so the dough comes together easily. Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then add the butter, milk, and water. Knead the dough with your hands until it is formed.
Once the dough is ready, take a small amount and flatten it into a disc shape. Add a piece of mozzarella to the centre and wrap the disc around the cheese to form a ball. Flatten the ball into a disc again. Smooth out any cracks around the border with a little bit of water.
To cook the arepas, heat a griddle, flat pan, or grilling pan to medium heat. You can also use a special arepas pan called a budare. Add a little butter or oil to the pan to prevent sticking. Place the arepas in the pan and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown with a char in spots. Serve the arepas with your favourite toppings.
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Shredded cheese is used in the filling
The type of cheese used in arepas can vary, but shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or Colombian queso fresco are popular choices. Some people also use string cheese or crumbled cheese for the filling. The amount of cheese used can also vary depending on personal preference, with some recipes calling for just a tablespoon of cheese in the center of each arepa, while others use more shredded cheese to make them extra cheesy.
When cooking arepas, it is important to use a pre-cooked cornmeal specifically designed for making arepas, as other types of flour will not work. The arepas are grilled or cooked on a special budare (arepas pan), griddle, or cast-iron pan until they are golden brown and slightly charred. They are then cut in half and filled with additional toppings, such as avocado, tomato, onions, corn, salsa, or more cheese.
Arepas can be served as a snack, breakfast, light dinner, or as a side dish. They are often served with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Leftover arepas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in a skillet or oven. Freezing cooked arepas is also an option for longer storage.
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Crumbled cheese can be added to the dough
Once the dough is ready, divide it into eight even pieces and roll them into balls. Flatten each ball into a disc using the palms of your hands. If you want to ensure your arepas are perfectly shaped, place each ball of dough between two sheets of wax paper or plastic wrap and use a heavy cast iron pan to flatten them to a quarter of an inch thick.
Next, place a piece of string cheese in the center of the disc. You can also add more shredded cheese for extra cheesiness. Wrap the disc around the cheese and shape it into a ball. Flatten the ball into a disc once again, and smooth out any cracks around the border with a little bit of water.
Finally, grill the arepas on an arepa grill, griddle, flat pan, or grilling pan over medium heat until they are golden brown on both sides. You can also use butter to grill them. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
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String cheese is placed in the centre
Arepas are corn cakes with a molten core of cheese, popular in Colombia and Venezuela. They are made with a mixture of precooked cornmeal and shredded cheese, and then filled with more cheese in the centre.
String cheese is a popular choice for the centre of arepas. To make this variety, shape the dough into small balls, about the size of a baseball. Flatten each ball into a disc using the palms of your hands. Place a piece of string cheese in the centre. You can add more shredded cheese if you like your arepas extra cheesy. Wrap the disc around the cheese to form it into a ball. Flatten the ball into a disc once again. You can smooth out any cracks around the border with a little bit of water.
Arepas are grilled over medium heat until they are golden brown on both sides. You can use a griddle, pan, or grilling pan with a little bit of butter to grill them. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Arepas can be served with toppings such as avocado, tomato, onions, corn, and salsa. They can also be cut in half and stuffed with fillings such as beef, chicken, beans, and more cheese.
Arepas can be enjoyed for breakfast, as a snack, or as a light dinner. They can be served with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
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Top with extra cheese
While arepas are delicious on their own, adding extra cheese can take them to the next level. Here are some tips to top your arepas with extra cheese:
Choosing the Right Cheese
The type of cheese you choose for your arepas can make a big difference. Popular options include mozzarella, which has a mild flavour and gives a great texture, or string cheese, which is perfect for the filling. Other options include shredded cheddar, crumbled queso fresco, or simply shredded cheese. Choose a cheese that melts well and has a flavour that pairs nicely with the other ingredients in your arepa.
Preparing the Cheese
When adding extra cheese to your arepas, consider incorporating it in multiple ways for a true cheese lover's treat. You can mix crumbled or shredded cheese into the dough for a subtle cheesy flavour throughout. Then, add a generous amount of cheese to the centre of your arepa for a molten core of cheesy goodness. If you're feeling extra indulgent, you can even top your cooked arepa with yet more cheese, allowing it to melt on top for an oozy, decadent finish.
Cooking the Arepas
To ensure that your extra cheese enhances your arepas, it's important to cook them properly. Arepas can be cooked on a griddle, pan, or grilling pan. If you're using a pan, cast iron or non-stick skillets work well. Cook the arepas until they are golden brown on both sides, with a dry crust and charred spots. If you're adding a lot of extra cheese, you may need to finish your arepas in the oven to ensure the cheese melts fully without burning the exterior.
Toppings and Sides
While extra cheese is the star of this dish, you can also enhance your arepas with various toppings and sides. Avocado, tomato, onions, corn, and salsa are all popular choices that pair well with the cheesy flavour of the arepas. If you're serving your arepas as a more substantial meal, you can also add proteins like beef or chicken. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different combinations of toppings and fillings to find your favourite cheesy arepa creation.
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Frequently asked questions
Mozzarella, string cheese, and cheddar are all popular choices.
Combine masarepa, crumbled cheese (if using), water, and vegetable oil in a bowl and knead with your hands until a dough is formed. Add more water or cornmeal if the dough is too dry or moist, respectively.
Flatten the dough into a disc and place cheese in the centre, leaving a gap of about half an inch. Wrap the disc around the cheese and shape it into a ball, then flatten it again into a disc.
You can cook arepas on a griddle, pan, or grilling pan over medium heat. Add butter or oil to prevent sticking. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
