Easy Arepas Recipe

If you haven't tried arepas, then let us tell you ... you're really missing out! And if you have tried arepas before, then you know just how delicious they are. According to Delish, this wonderful dish is popular in Venezuela, Colombia, and other parts of South America. It's very similar to a piece of pita bread, but it's made with corn flour or cornmeal. Just cut it open, fill it with your favorite meat and sauce, and the result is a tasty, filling meal. As you can see from the recipe list, arepas require just a few ingredients, and they're a breeze to make. Plain and simple — it's a no-brainer to try making your own.

Recipe developer Jaime Shelbert of Wholly Nourished came up with this incredible recipe that is perfect for satisfying your arepas cravings. "This recipe only requires a few simple ingredients and a few simple steps," Shelbert explains. "The result is versatile, as arepas can complement [South American] meals in a variety of ways." We love the sound of that! 

Keep reading to find out how to make this wonderful recipe.

Once you're ready to start, you'll need to gather the ingredients. This recipe requires just a handful of items, including lukewarm water, salt, PAN corn flour, and olive oil.

When you have those four items, you can start making these delicious arepas. 

You will need to use your oven for this recipe, so the first thing you need to do is preheat it to 350 F. Next, grab a sheet pan and line it with either parchment paper or a silpat.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the lukewarm water and salt. Mix them together until the salt fully dissolves.

The next thing you need to add to the mix is corn flour. Toss it into the water and stir with your spoon or hands to form a dough. "There is a special note on the main ingredient — the PAN flour," Shelbert shares. "It is a pre-cooked cornmeal, so regular cornmeal will not work here. It comes in white or yellow and it doesn't matter which one is used here. You can even mix them." 

When the dough is well-combined, set the mixture aside for about 5 minutes.

It's time to form the patties. Roll sections of the dough into balls in your hands and flatten each of them with your hands to make flat, cookie-like shapes. They should end up being about 3-4 inches in diameter and about ½ inch thick. 

In a large skillet or cast iron pan, add some olive oil and turn the heat to medium. Let the oil warm, then add the patties to the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side before transferring them to the oven to bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Once you remove the arepas from the oven, serve them immediately as they are best enjoyed warm. Shelbert also shares a few wonderful serving suggestions that will take these arepas to the next level. "Arepas can be split open and used like a pita. They can be stuffed with cheese, meat (such as shredded chicken), eggs or beans," Shelbert says. "Be creative. They can also be served as a side with salsa, pico de gallo, queso, or guacamole." 

And if you happen to have leftovers, you don't need to toss them. "They can be stored in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days," Shelbert says. We hope you love this recipe as much as we do!