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–+ servings
Arepas in a towel-lined basket.
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5 from 3 votes

Colombian Arepas

Your definitive guide to making Colombian Arepas (cornmeal cakes). This recipe is simple and delicious. If you're looking for the "from-scratch" method, please refer to the post above!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time19 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Side Dish
Cuisine: colombian
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 2 Arepas
Author: Luay Ghafari
Cost: $1

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Precooked corn flour - Pan or Dona Arepa flour
  • 1 cup Warm water
  • ½ tsp Salt

Instructions

  • Mix. To a bowl, add the precooked cornmeal and salt. Mix to combine.
  • Add water. Add the water to the bowl and using a spoon or fork, mix to combine.
  • Knead the corn dough. Using your hand, lightly knead to bring the dough together and make sure the corn is hydrated. The masa (dough) should be soft to the touch, but still firm enough to form into patties.
  • Form. Form into the classic arepa shape using the palm of your hands. You can make small ones or large ones. The size is up to you, but make sure they are no more than ½ inch thick (about 1.5cm). Place the areas on a tray after you’ve formed them.
  • Cook on flame (Option 1). Place a parrilla directly on the flame of your gas stove on medium heat. Cook the arepa on both sides until the surface has dried up and you have some char marks and it’s golden brown, 3-4 minutes on each side. A well-made arepa should be crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Reduce the flame if you need to.
    Cook on the grill (Option 2). Place the arepas on an oiled indoor grill pan, outdoor grill or hot griddle. Grill on both sides until the outside is dry and you have grill marks.

Notes

Refer to the post above for step-by-step recipe instructions. 
Ingredient notes: 
  • Pre-cooked cornmeal flour: Precooked corn meal, often referred to as arepa flour or "harina PAN" in Spanish-speaking countries, is a type of corn flour that has been precooked and ground. It is widely available in grocery stores and markets in regions where Latin American foods are popular. You’ll also always find it in Latin grocery stores.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 590mg | Potassium: 256mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 2mg