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Homemade arepas filled with various fillings on a plate.
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5 from 82 votes

Arepas Recipe with Fillings Ideas

These arepas are infused with flavor from garlic, spices and cheese, but these extra flavors can also by elimination for a basic arepas recipe. Also included are filling ideas for a meal to satisfy both vegetarians and omnivores.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Resting Time5 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Latin American
Keyword: Arepas, Arepas fillings
Servings: 2
Calories: 834.7kcal
Author: Susan Pridmore

Ingredients

  • 10 garlic cloves
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt divided
  • ¼ teaspoon Mexican oregano, or regular dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ancho chile powder
  • teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 cups arepa corn meal made from precooked ground corn
  • ½ cup grated manchego cheese
  • 2 ½ cups hot water
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • Smash the garlic using the flat edge of a chef's knife, and transfer to a small bowl. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and use a fork to mash the garlic into a paste.
    Add the oregano, ancho, red pepper flakes and olive oil. Continue to work the paste until the spices and olive oil are completely mashed into the garlic.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cheese, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt.
    Add the spicy garlic paste and use the fork or your fingers to disperse the paste through the flour mixture. Add the hot water all at once, stirring it into the flour mix with a fork until a dough forms.
  • As the dough begins to cool, it will begin to thicken. This happens quickly. Place the dough on a work surface and knead a few times until the dough firms up. The dough should not be sticky once it firms up.
  • Divide the dough into four pieces. Roll each piece between your hands and flatten into a disk.
    Pro-tip: For thick disks, flatten to about three inch diameter disks. For thin disks like the ones pictured, flatten to about five inches in diameter.
  • Heat a glug of olive oil in a sauté pan or griddle, just enough to slick the surface, over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the disks of dough. Cook for five minutes each side, or until each side looks like the surface of an English muffin.
  • Serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 834.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 121.1g | Protein: 23.7g | Fat: 28.5g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 30.2mg | Sodium: 1636.1mg | Potassium: 578.1mg | Fiber: 15.4g | Sugar: 2.6g | Vitamin A: 198IU | Vitamin C: 4.7mg | Calcium: 344.4mg | Iron: 5.2mg