Back seriouseats.com

Colombian-Style Arepas (Griddled or Grilled Corn Cakes) Recipe

Name: Colombian-Style Arepas (Griddled or Grilled Corn Cakes) Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Latin
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups masarepa (see note #1 above); 2 ounces (about 1/2 cup) finely crumbled queso fresco (optional, see note #2 above); 1 1/2 cups water, plus more as necessary; 1 teaspoon vegetable oil; Kosher salt; 2 teaspoons butter

A primer on how to make basic Colombian-style arepas, from mixing the dough to shaping the cakes and cooking on a griddle or grill.

35 min total 10 min prep 20 min cook 4 182 cal

Ingredients

4 serv.

1 1/2 cups masarepa (see note #1 above)
2 ounces (about 1/2 cup) finely crumbled queso fresco (optional, see note #2 above)
1 1/2 cups water, plus more as necessary
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Kosher salt
2 teaspoons butter

Instructions

Tap a step to mark it done

1 Combine masarepa, cheese (if using), water, and vegetable oil in a medium bowl and knead with hands until a dough is formed. Take a small amount and flatten it between your palms. If the edges crack, knead in more water, a tablespoon at a time, until dough is supple and smooth but not sticky. Season dough to taste with salt, then cover and set aside for 5 minutes.
2 Divide dough into 4 even pieces and roll into balls. Working on a wooden cutting board or a regular cutting board with a sheet of plastic wrap or parchment paper on top of it, flatten each ball down to a disk about 5 inches in diameter and 1/4-inch thick.
3 Melt butter in a 12-inch cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium-low heat (see notes). Add arepas and cook, moving them around the pan and rotating them occasionally, until first side is charred in spots and a dry crust has formed, about 5 minutes. Flip arepas and cook on second side until a dry crust has formed, about 5 minutes longer. Continue cooking, flipping every minute or so, until arepas are mostly dry and relatively stiff, about 5 minutes longer. Serve hot with cheese, melted butter, or toppings of your choice.