Arepas Workshop Recipes

Bienvenidos! Find everything you need to recreate the authentic, freshly made arepas you fell in love with during your class, complete with delicious filling options and expert tips for achieving that perfect golden crust.

Each recipe is designed to bring out the heart and soul of this Latin staple, transforming your kitchen into a haven of warm, indulgent flavors.

Whether it’s a savory breakfast or a hearty dinner, or even to satify that sweet tooth of yours, these arepas are sure to impress and satisfy, bringing a taste of Latin tradition right to your table.

 

AREPAS ASADAS

Grilled Arepas  |  Venezuela & Colombia
(Shhh... help keep Jen's grandma's recipe secret!)

 

Prep Time: 15 mins 

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 6 large arepas 

Total Preparation Time: 36 minutes  

 

Ingredients

  • 200g Harina PAN
  • 1 egg 
  • 1 tsp olive oil 
  • 1/4 tsp salt 
  • 230ml vegetable or chicken stock 

    Instructions:

      1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, add the cornmeal, salt, olive oil and egg. Slowly add the stock, mixing constantly to avoid lumps. Use your hands to combine the ingredients, kneading until you have a smooth, firm dough. Let the dough rest for about 5 minutes.
      2. Shape the Arepas: Divide the dough into 4-6 equal portions (depending on the size you want). Roll each portion into a ball, then gently flatten it with your hands into a disc about 1 cm (½ inch) thick. Smooth out the edges with your fingers for even cooking.
      3. Cook the Arepas: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a thin layer of oil. Place the arepas on the skillet, cooking each side for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown with a slightly crispy crust. To ensure they're cooked through, you can place them in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for an additional 5-10 minutes.
      4. Serve and Enjoy: Slice the arepas open while still warm, being careful not to cut all the way through. Fill with your favorite ingredients like cheese, shredded chicken and avocado (for a Reina Pepiada), shredded meat and cheese (for the popular Pelua), black beans. Enjoy immediately for the best texture and flavor!
      Tips:
      • For extra flavor, try adding a bit of melted butter or grated cheese into the dough before shaping.
      • Make sure to preheat the skillet well before adding the arepas to achieve a crisp crust.
      • Experiment with fillings to discover your perfect arepa combination!

       

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      AREPAS DE YUCA

      Cassava Arepas  |  Venezuela

      Prep Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

      Cooking Time: 20 minutes

      Yield: 6 arepas 

      Total Preparation Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

       

       

      Ingredients

      • 454g cooked casava/yuca 
      • 1/2 cup Harina PAN
      • 1/4 tsp salt
      • 30ml milk
      • 30ml melted butter
      • 25g grated mozzarella 
      • Butter for cooking

      Instructions

      1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the warm, mashed cassava with salt and add the cornmeal, milk, butter and cheese gradually to the cassava, kneading until you have a smooth, cohesive dough. The dough should be soft, pliable, and not sticky; adjust by adding a small amount of water or more cornmeal if needed.

      2. Shape the Arepas: Divide the dough into 6-8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten gently into a disc about 1 cm (½ inch) thick. Use your fingers to smooth any cracks along the edges.

      3. Cook the Arepas: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat with a thin layer of oil. Place the cassava arepas on the skillet, cooking each side for 5-7 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and have a crispy crust. For a fully cooked center, you can transfer them to a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 5-10 minutes after frying.

      4. Serve and Enjoy: Slice the arepas open while still warm, being careful not to cut all the way through. Fill with your choice of ingredients, such as cheese, shredded chicken, or avocado. Cassava arepas have a soft, chewy interior and make a delicious base for hearty fillings.

      Tips:

      • Mashed cassava gives the arepas a slightly sweet, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with savory fillings.
      • If the dough feels too sticky, add more cornmeal or a touch of oil.
      • Cassava arepas are best enjoyed fresh and warm, with fillings that complement their naturally soft texture.

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      AREPITAS DULCES

      Sweet Little Arepas  |  Venezuela

       

      Prep Time: 40 minutes

      Cooking Time: 15 minutes 

      Yield: 16 medium arepitas

      Total Preparation Time: 55 minutes

       

      Ingredients

      Cane Sugar Syrup

      • 200g panela / cane sugar block
      • 1 cup of water
      • 1 cinnamon stick
      • 3-5 cloves
      • 1 star anise

      Arepas

      • 290g Harina PAN
      • 100g plain flour (or GF flour)
      • 200ml water (may not use all of it)
      • 1.5 tbsp anise seeds
      • 4 tbsp cane sugar syrup (or diluted brown sugar)
      • 1 pinch of salt

        Instructions:

        1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, plain flour, panela syrup (or brown sugar), and salt. Gradually add the warm water, mixing until you have a smooth, pliable dough. Let the dough rest for about 5 minutes to allow the cornmeal to fully hydrate.
        2. Roll Out the Dough: Place the dough on a plastic bag or lightly floured surface and roll it out evenly to about 2-3mm thickness for a thin, crispy texture. Use a round cutter (about 5-7 centimers in diameter) to cut out circular arepitas from the dough. Gather any scraps, roll them out again, and cut more circles.
        3. Fry the Arepitas: Heat a generous amount of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the arepitas in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry each side for about 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
        4. Serve and Enjoy: Serve your thin, crispy arepitas dulces warm, with salty cheese (feta is ideal!). You can also try sprinkling powdered sugar, a drizzle of honey, or even dulce de leche. These sweet, crunchy arepas are perfect for an indulgent snack or dessert. 

        Tips:

        • Adjust the sugar based on your preference for sweetness.
        • For a more aromatic flavor, add a hint of vanilla extract to the dough.
        • Arepitas dulces pair wonderfully with coffee or hot chocolate, bringing out the warm, sweet notes in each bite.

               

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              AREPAS DE CHOCOLATE

              Chocolate Arepas  |  Venezuela

              Prep Time: 10 minutes

              Cooking Time: 15 minutes 

              Yield: 12 servings (midi size) 

              Total Preparation Time: 25 minutes

               

              Ingredients

              • 150g Harina PAN
              • 50g cacao powder
              • 50g sugar
              • 200ml water
              • 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
              • 1 tsp vanila extract
              • A pinch of salt

              Instructions:

              1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Gradually pour in the warm water and melted butter, mixing until the dough comes together. Knead the dough gently until smooth and slightly sticky. Let it rest for 5 minutes to fully hydrate.

              2. Shape the Arepas: Divide the dough into 6-8 portions and roll each one into a ball. Flatten each ball into a disc about 1 cm (½ inch) thick. Smooth the edges with your fingers for even cooking.

              3. Cook the Arepas: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a mid layer of oil. Place the chocolate arepas on the skillet and fry for about 1-2 minutes on each side (be careful not to leave them for too long as they burn easily).

              4. Serve and Enjoy: Chocolate arepas are delicious on their own, but you can slice them open and fill them with chantilli cream, creme pattiserie, sweetened cream cheese, dulce de leche, or fresh berries. Enjoy them warm for a rich, chocolatey treat!


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